25 Best Custard Desserts

From flan to flan to clafoutis, these custard desserts are all show-stoppers.

Give me anything with custard, and I’ll eat it. To me, this smooth, sweet, and creamy dessert is absolutely heavenly.

I like it in pies, pudding, tarts, trifles; you name it! 

There are hundreds of custard desserts out there, and if you want to narrow down your search, you’ve come to the right place.

This round-up contains the creme de la creme of custard desserts and features the silky treat in all its glory. 

Whether you’re in the mood for an indulgent dessert or a simple snack, these custard recipes will make your taste buds go crazy. How flan-tastic!

1. Creme Brulee 

Let’s get the party started with the fancy creme brulee.

Smooth, melt-in-your-mouth custard is topped with crunchy caramelized sugar for that perfect textural contrast.

If you think creme brulee is complicated, think again. It’s actually a no-fuss, 6-ingredient recipe that comes together in no time.

In fact, the most difficult part is waiting for the custard to cool.

You can use either the broiler or a kitchen torch to achieve that gorgeous caramelized topping. 

2. Custard Cake

Custard cake is a delectable Filipino dessert that comprises a sponge cake bottom and creamy flan on top.

Since it’s on the sweeter side, custard cake is often paired with a strong black coffee called “kapeng Barako.”

Most bakeries offer this sinful treat, but nothing beats homemade.

Make custard cake from scratch, and you’ll be rewarded with a stunning dessert oozing with flavor.

3. Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding 

Nilla Wafer banana pudding is a creamy and refreshing southern dessert. Made with layers of Nilla Wafers, bananas, and custard, it’s a fantastic tropical delight.

Finishing it off is a fluffy meringue with a crisp, golden-brown exterior. This dessert’s flavor and texture combinations are definitely on point!

4. Raspberry Custard Kuchen

Kuchen is the German word for cake. It’s a very broad term, but it usually refers to a custard cake with a buttery crust.

In this recipe, you’ll add fresh raspberries to the custard for lovely color contrast and a nice fruity flavor. Pair this with coffee for a delightful treat.

5. Flan

The French call it creme caramel, while Spanish-speaking countries call it custard flan.

Custard may have different monikers, but at the end of the day, it’s still the same delicious dessert.

If you are looking for the perfect flan recipe, look no further than this one. It’s so easy yet so good, people will think it took you hours to make!

6. Custard Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce 

If you’re a fan of bread pudding, you’ll love this next one. Made with day-old French bread and creamy custard, this pudding is the one to beat.

Crisp and crunchy on the outside, rich and custard-like on the inside, this pudding will knock your socks off.  

7. Custard Pie 

Smooth and velvety custard inside a pie? Why have I never thought of that? This idea is brilliant!

I love how the crisp pie crust provides a texture contrast to the melt-in-your-mouth custard.

Just be sure to let it set in the fridge before you cut, or you’ll get a runny mess.

8. Lemon Chess Pie 

Don’t expect a checkerboard-looking dessert! Lemon chess pie is a southern dessert filled with a creamy custard filling. 

Lemon gives the custard a hint of tanginess while cornmeal makes it velvety (and yellow).

This recipe gives the classic pie a fun twist by using shortbread instead of the usual crust. 

There are many theories surrounding its name. Some say “chess” is a derivative of “cheese,” which is what the pie looks like.

Others say it’s because southern men enjoyed playing chess while having dessert.

No matter its origin, one thing is for sure: lemon chess pie is hella delicious.

9. Squash Custard Pie

This recipe gives the custard pie an autumn twist! The addition of squash puree and warming spices breathe new life into the classic dessert.

Sweet squash and a blend of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg make the basis custard a hundred times more irresistible. This dessert is the epitome of fall flavors.

10. Portuguese Custard Tarts

A trip to Portugal is not complete without a bite (or 10) of pasteis de nata. 

With a crisp and crunchy crust and a smooth egg custard filling, this mini-tart is a national treasure!

The sweetness and the balance of textures couldn’t be more perfect.

11. Rhubarb Custard Cake

Made with two layers of sponge cake with a smooth custard in between and rhubarb slices on top, this cake is as delicious as it is beautiful.

The color contrast between the cream cake and the pinkish-red rhubarb is outstanding. The yellow custard adds brightness, as well.

The texture of the smooth, jiggly custard also complements the light and airy cake perfectly well. All in all, it’s a delightful cake that’s perfect for your afternoon tea.

12. Apple and Fig Custard

Apples, figs, and custard in one dessert? I won’t say no to that! If you’re a fan of desserts for breakfast, this recipe is a keeper.

Apple and fig custard is a type of clafoutis – a custard-like cake with fruit on top.

What makes this one extra special is the addition of, you’ve guessed it, apples and figs. The combination of flavors and textures does wonders!

13. Baked Custard

Here’s another recipe for custard for ya!

Did you know that with just six ingredients, you’ll be able to make the richest, smoothest, and creamiest custard known to man? See for yourself and thank me later.

With a sprinkling of nutmeg and fluffy whipped cream on top, this custard is mind-blowingly amazing.

14. Buttermilk Pie 

Buttermilk pie is another traditional southern dessert. The concept is simple – a sweet and creamy filling resting on a bed of crisp pie crust – but it definitely delivers.

The winning filling is made of buttermilk (hence the name), sugar, eggs, and butter. It’s flavored with lemon juice and nutmeg and made thick with flour. 

It’s almost identical to chess pie in look and flavor, except it doesn’t have cornmeal in the filling. 

15. Quindim 

Quindim is a stunning Brazilian dessert. It’s a ridiculously smooth custard flavored with coconut and made rich and bright yellow by egg yolks. 

It’s a lot like flan, except it uses coconut milk instead of regular milk to achieve that fantastic coconut flavor.

It also has an unbelievably delicious coconut crust to boot!

16. Chocolate Custard Tarts 

Just looking at these tarts is making me giddy! Smooth, creamy, and decadent, these chocolate custard tarts are certified bite-sized beauties. 

Props to the crust, too! Those crisp and flaky tart shells are the perfect vessel to hold the chocolate custard.

17. Eggnog Custard Pie

Eggnog, or milk punch, is a traditional Christmas drink. Have you ever tried turning it into a pie? If not, you have to! You just do.

It’s easy, simply fill a deep-dish pie crust with a mixture of eggnog, eggs, vanilla, and sugar.

Add some nutmeg and vanilla for extra flavor and let the oven take care of the rest.

Merry Christmas, indeed!

18. Coconut Tarts

These coconut tarts are ridiculously addictive. Consider yourself warned.

These aren’t your ordinary custard-filled tarts, people. These guys are also filled with tender and sweet shredded coconut!

They’re so good, one bite will take you to tropical heaven.  

19. French Apple Custard Cake

A delectable custard cake is pretty much a done deal. Throw in apples into the mix, and you’ll get a lip-smacking breakfast worth getting out of bed for.

The cake is wonderfully smooth and custard-like. The apple lends flavor to the cake, while the topping adds crisp textural contrast. Breakfast for the win!

20. Nutella Bread Pudding

The classic bread pudding is already epic as it is. Add Nutella into the picture, and the word pudding gets a completely new meaning.

Go ahead, eat it for breakfast, an afternoon snack, and dessert! Don’t worry, I won’t judge. I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again!

21. Blueberry Custard Pie 

Custard pie is made even better with fresh blueberries.

Just picture yourself having a slice of this gorgeous pie with its creamy custard filling bursting with juicy berries! It’s so good, one slice won’t be enough.

22. Blueberry Clafoutis 

If you’ve never had clafoutis before, think of it as the love child of a pancake and a custard. How unbelievably awesome is that?

Blueberries top this dessert, but you’re free to use whatever fresh fruit you have on hand.

23. Orange Custard Squares

Orange and custard: it’s not a common combination, but man, it’s good! These sumptuous squares are proof!

An orange custard filling is sandwiched in between two layers of shortbread cookies. One bite of this sweet, creamy, and citrusy treat will get you hooked.

24. Pear Custard Pie

Even pear haters will have a hard time saying no to this pie!

Rich and creamy custard is topped with crisp and crunchy pear slices, resulting in a simple yet stunning pie you won’t soon forget.

25. Custard Peach Pie

Sweet and juicy peaches make the classic custard pie a perfect summer treat! 

So that you won’t feel too guilty, we’re using Greek yogurt in this recipe.