Soft Junket Custard with Vanilla and Honey

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A delicate, smooth custard made using junket rennet tablets, infused with vanilla and sweetened with honey for a soothing dessert. This international-inspired desserts (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes layers whole milk, tablets junket rennet tablets, honey into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 5 min Serves 4 International cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pour 4 cups of whole milk into a heavy-bottom saucepan and warm it gently over low heat until it reaches 100°F (warm to the touch but not hot), stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
  2. Step 2: Crush 2 junket rennet tablets into a fine powder and dissolve them in 2 tbsp of cold water.
  3. Step 3: Remove the milk from heat and stir in the dissolved rennet tablets gently for 30 seconds to evenly distribute.
  4. Step 4: Pour 3 tbsp honey and 1 tsp vanilla extract into the milk mixture and stir gently until combined.
  5. Step 5: Pour the mixture into individual serving dishes and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes until the custard sets and is slightly jiggly.
  6. Step 6: Chill the custards in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving; sprinkle each with 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg for a warm aroma just before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Soft Junket Custard with Vanilla and Honey take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (10 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover Soft Junket Custard with Vanilla and Honey?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in Soft Junket Custard with Vanilla and Honey?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Soft Junket Custard with Vanilla and Honey for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Soft Junket Custard with Vanilla and Honey vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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