Fruit Custard

// Fruit custard is delicious, light & flavorful dessert made with creamy custard and assorted fresh fruits. It is a perfect afetrmeal dessert.



Fruit custard is delicious, light & flavorful dessert made with creamy custard and assorted fresh fruits. You may also call it a fruit custard salad which is loaded with the goodness of seasonal fruits.

Fruit custard is an easy-to-make, quick, and very simple dessert that requires only 20 minutes of your effective time.

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three fruit custard bowls in the frame and a hand holding a golden spoon over a fruit custard bowl

This dessert needs very little preparation like mixing custard powder with milk and chopping fruits. That’s it! And it is made with very basic easily available ingredients like custard powder, milk, sugar, and seasonal fresh fruits.

You simply make the custard by cooking together custard powder, milk, and sugar. Then this chilled creamy custard sauce is mixed with various refreshing fruits. And you get a super yummy, light yet satisfying dessert.

fruit custard dripping from a ladle over a fruit custard bowl

Fruit custard = Dessert Perfection

Fruit custard is a popular Indian dessert that is loved by kids and adults alike. In India, people are crazy about this simple yet most delectable dessert. 

People keep looking for an excuse for consuming this delicious dessert. For example:

  • When we have so many fruits we make fruit custard. 

  • When we want to eat a cooling and refreshing dessert, we make fruit custard. 

  • When we have friends coming over for dinner, we make fruit custard.

  • At weddings and other parties, we make sure that there is fruit custard on the menu.

My mom used to make fruit custard throughout the year, but during summer it was a frequent visitor. I wasn’t a sweet-toothed child, but fruit custard was one of my favorite desserts. I just licked the bowl dry. 

I haven’t yet met anyone who doesn’t like fruit custard. And why not? It has everything to make you fall in love with this elegant dessert. 

Along with fruit custard, I also loved Kaju Katli and Rasmalai back then. Now is a different story altogether. I am a changed person now and I don’t discriminate between desserts. ;-) I love all types of sweets — be it gulab jamun, kalakand, mango cheesecake, chocolate mousse, souffle, cream cheese truffles, badam halwa, Fruit Cream, Fruit Skewers, and besan ladoo, you just name it.

shot of fruit custard in a purple transparent bowl along with a golden spoon and two bowls in the background

What is Fruit Custard?

Fruit custard or fruit custard salad is a super indulging and refreshing light dessert which tastes amazing. Here you mix a sweet and creamy custard with chopped seasonal fruits. 

It is a simple and easy to make dessert requiring only a few ingredients. 

This Fruit Custard:

✓ is a simple, quick, easy, and delicious dessert

✓ is loved by all age groups 

✓ requires very less cooking time and is ready in no time

✓ is made with simple ingredients

✓ can easily be customized by adding your favorite fruits

✓ is vegetarian but can also be made vegan by using non-dairy milk

✓ is an awesome way to satisfy sweet cravings 

✓ is loaded with delicious seasonal fruits

✓ is a nice way to include fruits in your diet

✓ is a great treat for parties and get-togethers

✓ makes a great movie night treat

two fruit custard bowls and a female holding a bowl in the background

How to make Fruit Custard

Making fruit custard is straightforward. You make a custard base and mix it with some fruits. That’s it!

This is how it can be done in 5 simple steps.

Step 1: Mix custard with 1/2 cup milk.

Step 2: Boil milk and add sugar.

Step 3: Add custard mix to the milk and cook until the mixture thickens. Let it get cool completely.

Step 4: Chop fruits. 

Step 5: Add chopped fruits to chilled fruits and mix. Serve.

For a full list of Fruit Custard recipe ingredients and step-by-step photo and video instructions, please see the recipe box on this page.

How to make Custard without custard powder

Using store-bought custard powder is straightforward to use. But if you can’t find custard powder where you live then you can easily make this vanilla-flavored custard by combining 4 tablespoon cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon vanilla (bean pod or extract).

a male holding fruit custard bowl

How to make Vegan Fruit Custard?

I have used dairy milk for making custard. But to make it vegan you can use any other dairy milk.

Below are the non-dairy milk alternatives which go well in this fruit custard recipe:

  • Unsweetened Almond milk

  • Coconut Milk

  • Oat Milk

  • Regular milk

  • Cashew milk

Fruit Custard Ingredients

This fruit custard or fruit custard salad requires only a very few simple ingredients like:

  1. Vanilla Custard Powder

  2. Milk

  3. Sugar

  4. Seasonal Fruits

What fruits can be added to Fruit Custard?

I have used banana, apple, mango, grapes, kiwi, and pomegranate arils. 

You can use any seasonal fruits and berries like pears, strawberries, papaya, raspberries, blueberries, chico, and cherries. Avoid using pineapple and citrus fruits like orange, mandarin, and grapefruit.

three fruit custard bowls kept on a blue wooden board and a mango

Serving suggestion

Fruit custard can be served chilled as an after-meal dessert. After a spicy Indian meal, this sweet custard gives a cooling and soothing feeling. Or serve it with other fruit desserts such as fruit cream, it can also be served as a late-night dessert.

How to make a custard recipe without fruits?

Other than serving custard with fruits, you can serve it in many other ways by replacing fruits with any of the ingredients below:

  • Boiled (sabunda) sago/tapioca pearls

  • Boiled vermicelli

  • Mixed nuts (almonds, dates, dried figs, dried apricots, cashews, and pistachios)

  • Jelly

  • Tutti Frutti (candied fruit)

overhead closeup shot of fruit custard in a purple transparent bowl

Important ips, tricks, and variations to make Fruit Custard

Tip 1. For making fruit custard I have used a simple vanilla flavor. This is the flavor I grew up eating. However, you can use any other flavors like strawberry, mango, or butterscotch.

Tip 2. I used Weikfield vanilla flavored custard powder because we can only get this brand from Indian stores here. Feel free to use any other brand.  

Tip 3. I have added banana, apple, mango, grapes, kiwi, and pomegranate arils. You can use any seasonal fruits of your choice.

Tip 4. I have only added fruits here, but you can also add nuts of your choice.

Tip 5. You can easily double or triple this fruit custard recipe.

Tip 6. Always use cold or room temperature milk for diluting custard powder. Never use hot milk, or else it will turn lumpy.

Tip 7. When making custard, make sure to keep stirring after adding each custard mix. Continuous stirring prevents it from sticking to the bottom and also prevents it from becoming lumpy.

Tip 8. This is a fail-proof custard recipe. With this recipe, your custard would never form lumps. However, for any reason, your custard has turned lumpy then simply blend it with a hand blender or pass it through a sieve.

Tip 9. Once you transfer the custard mix to a mixing bowl, keep stirring for a few minutes. The stirring would prevent it from forming a cream layer on the top. Another tip is that top custard with a piece of butter.

The buttery layer would stop it from forming a milk cream layer on the top.

Tip 10. Always do the nappe test when making custard. That way you can make sure that your custard consistency will be perfect. 

Tip 11. Custard thickens once it cools down, so never overcook the custard, else you will end up with thick pudding.

Tip 12. If you think that your custard has a very thick consistency, then add about 1-2 tablespoons of warm milk to the custard and whisk it until combined. You can keep adding 1 tablespoon of milk until you get the desired consistency.

Tip 13. Never chill custard with fruits. Fruits tend to release water, and if you would add fruits to the custard then it would turn watery. 

Tip 14. For the best tasting fresh custard, always add fruits right before serving. If you keep fruits in the custard they would turn soggy and lose their flavor. 

Tip 15. If you want fruit-infused custard then you can chill custard with fruits for a couple of hours. But never keep custard mixed with fruits for more than 3 hours.

overhead shot of 3 fruit custard bowls with a half cut mango and other fruits

Fruit Custard (Step-by-step photo instructions)

For making Fruit Custard

  1. In a small bowl, add 1/2 cup milk and 4 tablespoons custard powder.
  2. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-1 for Fruit Custard
  3. Mix well until combined. Make sure there are no lumps in the mixture. Keep it aside.
  4. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-2 for Fruit Custard
  5. Add 3.5 cups milk to a heavy bottom pan on medium heat.
  6. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-3 for Fruit Custard
  7. Bring it to a boil for 2-4 times while stirring it occasionally.
  8. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-4 for Fruit Custard
  9. Once boiled, turn the heat to low, and add sugar.
  10. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-5 for Fruit Custard
  11. Mix until sugar dissolves completely.
  12. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-6 for Fruit Custard
  13. Now start adding custard mix 2 tablespoons at a time while stirring continuously.
  14. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-7 for Fruit Custard
  15. Keep adding and whisking until all the custard mix is used up.
  16. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-8 for Fruit Custard
  17. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until it becomes slightly thick.
  18. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-9 for Fruit Custard
  19. To check the consistency, do a nappe test by running a finger through the back of the spoon. If the impression stays exposed, that means custard is cooked. At this point, turn off the heat. It thickens once it cools down. Don't overcook custard, or else it will turn lumpy.
  20. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-10 for Fruit Custard
  21. Remove the pan from heat and transfer the custard mixture to a large bowl.
  22. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-11 for Fruit Custard
  23. Let it cool completely at room temperature.
  24. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-12 for Fruit Custard
  25. Keep stirring it occasionally to prevent it from forming a milk cream layer on the top.
  26. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-13 for Fruit Custard
  27. Meanwhile, chop all the fruits you are using and refrigerate them.
  28. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-14 for Fruit Custard
  29. Cover the bowl and refrigerator for 3-4 hours.
  30. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-15 for Fruit Custard
  31. Add chilled fruits to chilled custard and mix everything well until combined.
  32. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-16 for Fruit Custard
  33. Divide fruit custard into serving dishes.
  34. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-17 for Fruit Custard
  35. Top fruit custard with some more fruits and chopped pistachios.
  36. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-18 for Fruit Custard
  37. Serve fruit custard chilled.
  38. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-19 for Fruit Custard

Recipe Card


Fruit Custard [Recipe]

Recipe Image
Fruit custard is delicious, light & flavorful dessert made with creamy custard and assorted fresh fruits. It is a perfect afetrmeal dessert.
★★★★★
(Rating: 5 from 5 reviews)

Prep time 🕐 Cook time 🕐 Total time 🕐
2 hours 30 mins
Category ☶ Cuisine ♨ Serves ☺
Desserts Indian 6
Nutrition Info ⊛ Serving size ⊚
178 calories 1

INGREDIENTS

For Fruit Custard
  • 4 cups milk (preferably whole)
  • 4 tablespoons vanilla custard powder
  • 5 tablespoons sugar, or to taste
  • Mixed fruits (I used banana, kiwi, grapes, pomegranate arils, apple, and mango)

INSTRUCTIONS:

For making Fruit Custard
  1. In a small bowl, add 1/2 cup milk and 4 tablespoons custard powder.
  2. Mix well until combined. Make sure there are no lumps in the mixture. Keep it aside.
  3. Add 3.5 cups milk to a heavy bottom pan on medium heat.
  4. Bring it to a boil for 2-4 times while stirring it occasionally.
  5. Once boiled, turn the heat to low, and add sugar.
  6. Mix until sugar dissolves completely.
  7. Now start adding custard mix 2 tablespoons at a time while stirring continuously.
  8. Keep adding and whisking until all the custard mix is used up.
  9. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until it becomes slightly thick.
  10. To check the consistency, do a nappe test by running a finger through the back of the spoon. If the impression stays exposed, that means custard is cooked. At this point, turn off the heat. It thickens once it cools down. Don't overcook custard, or else it will turn lumpy.
  11. Remove the pan from heat and transfer the custard mixture to a large bowl.
  12. Let it cool completely at room temperature.
  13. Keep stirring it occasionally to prevent it from forming a milk cream layer on the top.
  14. Meanwhile, chop all the fruits you are using and refrigerate them.
  15. Cover the bowl and refrigerator for 3-4 hours.
  16. Add chilled fruits to chilled custard and mix everything well until combined.
  17. Divide fruit custard into serving dishes.
  18. Top fruit custard with some more fruits and chopped pistachios.
  19. Serve fruit custard chilled.

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NOTES:

  1. For making fruit custard I have used a simple vanilla flavor. This is the flavor I grew up eating. However, you can use any other flavors like strawberry, mango, or butterscotch.
  2. This is a fail-proof custard recipe. With this recipe, your custard would never form lumps. However, for any reason, your custard has turned lumpy then simply blend it with a hand blender or pass it through a sieve.
  3. Once you transfer the custard mix to a mixing bowl, keep stirring for a few minutes. The stirring would prevent it from forming a cream layer on the top. Another tip is that top custard with a piece of butter. The buttery layer would stop it from forming a milk cream layer on the top.
  4. Custard thickens once it cools down, so never overcook the custard, else you will end up with thick pudding.
  5. If you think that your custard has a very thick consistency, then add about 1-2 tablespoons of warm milk to the custard and whisk it until combined. You can keep adding 1 tablespoon of milk until you get the desired consistency.
  6. Never chill custard with fruits. Fruits tend to release water, and if you would add fruits to the custard then it would turn watery.
  7. For the best tasting fresh custard, always add fruits right before serving. If you keep fruits in the custard they would turn soggy and lose their flavor.


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