Few things are as indulgent as a steaming hot bowl of homemade custard after a hearty family meal. Whether you add it to chocolate cake, apple crumble, or enjoy it all alone, homemade custard is pretty hard to beat.
But what happens when you’ve got some custard leftover? Can you reheat custard? You certainly can!
To reheat custard, pop it into a microwave-safe bowl, cover and microwave for around 3 minutes, stirring it after every 30 seconds. You can also reheat custard in a pan over a low heat on the stovetop.
How to Reheat Custard
Reheating custard is so straightforward. It also tastes great (providing you have stored it correctly), meaning you can make a batch of custard up and keep your leftovers in the fridge or freezer.
This means you don’t have to spend ages in the kitchen preparing your custard from scratch each time, as you can have a handy supply of the good stuff on hand as and when you need it.
As for the practicalities of reheating custard, there are two options available to you – you can either reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop, and we explain each method in more detail below:
How to Reheat Custard in the Microwave
Reheating custard in the microwave is the easiest way to go about it. Here’s what you need to do:
- Add to a Microwave-Safe Bowl
Pour your custard into a microwave-safe bowl and stir it well. - Cover
If your chosen microwave-safe dish has a lid, attach it. If it doesn’t, wrap the dish well with plastic wrap before placing your custard in the microwave. - Reheat
On full blast, reheat your custard at thirty-second intervals. After each blast, remove the custard from the microwave and stir it well. - Check for Doneness
When you think your custard is ready, check it for doneness – steam should be coming from the centre of the dish. If you have one, you could always use a thermometer to check the internal temperature. Anything over 75C or 165F should be good to serve, but some people like it hotter than this! - Serve and Enjoy
Pour lashings of your delicious custard over your chosen dessert, and serve it up to your expectant dinner guests.
How to Reheat Custard on the Stovetop
- If you don’t have access to a microwave for whatever reason, you can reheat custard on the stovetop. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Pour Custard Into a Pan
Add your custard to a non-stick pan and place it on the stovetop. - Reheat
Switch the stove on and produce a medium flame. Stirring consistently, reheat your custard for 2-3 minutes, or until it’s piping hot.
- Check for Doneness
While you can probably tell if your custard is done by looking at it, you could always use a thermometer to check the temperature before serving. As with the microwave method above, once your custard is at least 75C or 165F, it should be good to serve. - Serve and Enjoy
The only thing left to do is to pour your custard into bowls and serve it up to your family.
How to Reheat Custard Successfully
Plenty can go wrong when reheating custard. That’s why we’ve come up with our 3 vital tips to follow to ensure nothing goes horribly wrong for you:
- Stir Well – One of the most important things when it comes to reheating custard is ensuring your stir it well. If you don’t stir custard consistently while in the pan, it will stick to the bottom. Equally, if you don’t stir custard when reheating it in the microwave, it will reheat unevenly.
- Only Reheat it Once – You should only ever reheat custard once. If you’re concerned about wasting it, consider separating it into smaller portions before you reheat it. This will ensure you can easily take out the portion of custard that you need, and you can save the rest for another day.
- Add Some Milk or Cream If Necessary – If you’re worried that your custard is a little thick and doesn’t thin out as you reheat it, you can add some additional milk or cream while you’re reheating it. This will improve its consistency and ensure it thins out suitably – just be careful not to overdo it, as you don’t want to serve up custard that resembles water!
Is It Safe to Reheat Custard?
Yes, it’s perfectly safe to reheat custard, but you should only do it once. As with any type of food that contains dairy, you need to be mindful of how you store it, so it doesn’t spoil.
Our advice is to get your custard in the fridge or freezer as soon as you can after you’ve decided to store the leftovers so you don’t risk it spoiling at room temperature.
Reheating Custard FAQs
Do you still have a question or two about reheating custard? Then these FAQs might help you out. If not, drop a comment at the bottom of the page.
Although it is likely safe, Ambrosia and retailers advise you not to reheat Ambrosia custard. This is likely because the end result won’t be as lovely as you’re expecting, and Ambrosia doesn’t want you to experience their product with a reduced quality.
Powdered custard can be reheated with ease. It can either be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop. Both will result in custard that’s perfectly edible.
Ross is a freelance writer with a passion for delicious food and drinks, having worked in the hospitality industry in the past. He began working with Let’s Foodie when it first launched to provide information on how to reheat, freeze and microwave different foods.
