Custard powder?

elsien

I don’t eat custard very often but do like to keep a tin in for the occasional pudding.
I’ve got Asda own brand at the moment and it’s got quite an artificial taste to it. Wondering what anyone can recommend as having a half decent test, and whether this is one of the times when a decent brand is actually worth the money? 

Green_hopeful

We tried Waitrose own brand during lockdown and it was quite horrible. We wait for Ambrosia to go on deal. It’s still very expensive but if you are only buying it occasionally I suppose it is worth it. 

JIL

I remember mortgage free in three did a home made custard powder, which got really good reviews. Cant find it now.

My favourite custard is aldi's ready made in a carton. It's also one of the cheapest.

elsien

Not so bothered about cost and I’d rather use the powder so I can choose how thick or thin, I want it to be. Whatever tastes best.

amanda1024

I always use Birds custard powder. Lasts for ages, can make as much/little as I want, much cheaper than ready-made even if it’s a bit more than own-brand powder

-taff

Birds...but don't forget to add sugar like I did twice, it's disgusting....Or home made, eggs, milk or cream and sugar with a sploosh of vanilla extract [and cornflour for cheating]

bouicca21

I just use cornflour and vanilla flavoured sugar.  (I used to add yellow food colouring in order to fool my ex that is was genuine packet custard, but I don’t bother with that now.)

Farway

amanda1024 said:

I always use Birds custard powder. Lasts for ages, can make as much/little as I want, much cheaper than ready-made even if it’s a bit more than own-brand powder

Likewise, if only occasional use no point in penny-pinching IMO

elsien

bouicca21 said:

I just use cornflour and vanilla flavoured sugar.  (I used to add yellow food colouring in order to fool my ex that is was genuine packet custard, but I don’t bother with that now.)

I didn't even know vanilla flavoured sugar was a thing. You live and learn. 

bouicca21

elsien said:

I didn't even know vanilla flavoured sugar was a thing. You live and learn. 

Vanilla flavoured sugar - buy a vanilla pod or two if you want a stronger flavour, slit it open, cut into pieces and bury in a jar of caster sugar.  Takes about a month for the sugar to absorb the flavour. Use whenever a recipe calls for sugar and vanilla extract.

PipneyJane

elsien said:

bouicca21 said:

I just use cornflour and vanilla flavoured sugar.  (I used to add yellow food colouring in order to fool my ex that is was genuine packet custard, but I don’t bother with that now.)

I didn't even know vanilla flavoured sugar was a thing. You live and learn. 

Make your own @elsien by placing a vanilla pod in a large jar, then filling the jar with castor sugar and leaving it for a minimum of 3 weeks before first use.  When the jar gets low, top up the sugar.  The vanilla pod will continue adding flavour for years, eventually desiccating and breaking up - at that point, I just add a new vanilla pod (I don’t bother to remove the remains of the old one).

HTH

- PIp