Vanilla Custard Sauce

Sweet Baboo's Note:

This is a recipe from Bon Appetit, October 1998, one that is so delicious that it needs no tweaking...the combination of these simple ingredients creates perfect kitchen alchemy. Decadent in the extreme, save it for those special occasions when you really want to WOW. One of the many reviews on that site used two capfuls of pure vanilla extract instead of the vanilla bean, but since I used a vanilla bean I can not vouch for this substitution.

• Total Time: 15 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8

Yield: 2.5 cups

• 2 cups whipping cream
• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• 4 large egg yolks
• 6 tablespoons sugar

Directions:

1. Place whipping cream in heavy medium saucepan.
2. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean: add pod.
3. Bring cream to a simmer.
4. Whisk egg yolks and sugar in medium metal bowl to blend.
5. Gradually whisk in hot cream mixture.
6. Return mixture to saucepan and stir over medium-low heat until custard thickens and finger leave path when drawn across the back of a spoon, about 4 minutes (DO NOT BOIL).
7. Strain.
8. Cover and refrigerate custard sauce until cold, about 3 hours.
9. Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.

Reviews

[PamC]

I added 1/2 tsp. of vanilla extract at the end, instead of using the bean. This was fantastic--spooned over bowls of ordinary grocery store berries (I used blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, along with a few strawberries), it made a sensationally yummy dessert. I will definitely make this a regular dessert item for company and family dinners. I can imagine this over apple pie, too.

[stormylee]

Decadently delicious vanilla custard! Why did I ever buy the commercial stuff?? This is sooo much better and easy to make to boot! Also makes a lot - I served this with strawberry-rhubarb coffee cake for guests and have plenty of leftovers that I can keep, er, sampling by the spoonful... Thank you very much for sharing the recipe!

[swissms]

I reviewed this recipe on 8/15/10 for PRMR but it seems to have disappeared. I discovered the discrepancy because I was searching through my reviews searching for the recipe to make it again because it is soooooo good. So, here is my review: I made as directed but used vanilla bean paste in place of the vanilla bean (since I made this 5 months ago I can't remember for certain but I believe I used 1 teaspoon). We enjoyed the custard sauce over fresh raspberries....Yum! This would also be an excellent base for vanilla ice cream.