Crème Brulee to Budino, 10 Popular Custard from Around the World

Each of these ten custards—from Italy's decadent Zabaione to the Philippines' caramel-kissed Leche Flan—represents a distinct culinary tradition from around the world.

Custard, a dessert that is incredibly smooth and luxurious, has captivated people all over the world with its creamy texture and wonderful sweetness. Originating from the Middle Ages, custard has evolved into a versatile treat enjoyed in various cultures. Characterized by its simple yet elegant combination of eggs, sugar, and milk, custard forms the base for an array of delectable desserts. Now, let's take a look at the 10 most popular custards that showcase the diverse flavors and culinary creativity from different corners of the world.

Zabaione - Italy

This delicious Italian treat originates from the region of Piedmont. It is created by gently heating a mixture of egg yolks, sugar, and sweet wine, whisking it until it becomes a frothy, creamy custard-like texture. Zabaione is truly captivating with its smooth and velvety texture, and it has these lovely subtle hints of wine that just add to its charm.

Budino - Italy

The term "budino" in Italian encompasses a variety of delightful dishes, both sweet and savory, which come in various forms, shapes, and flavors. There are three primary types of budino: crème caramel, which is made using cold ingredients and cooked in a mold placed in a water bath; crème anglaise, which involves cooking the ingredients in hot milk and then transferring them into a mold; and the savory Italian flan variety.

While the end outcome of these processes may seem similar, it can be challenging to precisely define what a genuine budino truly is. Many types of budino, except for the savory kind, are typically prepared using a mixture of eggs, milk, and sugar. However, certain variations may incorporate rice or ricotta as the main ingredients for the budino.

Leche Flan - Philippines

The classic Filipino dish known as leche flan is a caramel custard made with eggs, sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. The usage of llaneras, which are tin molds, gives it its characteristic oval shape. It goes best when served cold with a dusting of any remaining caramel syrup.

At many Filipino festivities and get-togethers, leche flan is a crowd favorite. Since it arrived in the Philippines as a product of Spanish colonization, most people assume it originated in the areas bordering France and Spain.

Frozen Custard - USA

Milwaukee, Wisconsin is known as the "Custard Capital of the World" due to its high volume of frozen custard sales. Coney Island, New York is the birthplace of this gourmet ice cream dessert, which was once a carnival favorite. Its ingredients include eggs, cream, and sugar.

Frosted custard swiftly made its way to the Midwest as its popularity skyrocketed. Since far less air is introduced than in comparable desserts, the end product is a flavorful, thick custard. One distinctive regional delight that stands out when it comes to flavor is frozen custard, which many people think is superior to ice cream due to its served-before-refreezing consistency, which is both soft and thick.

Leite de Creme - Portugal

Portugal is the birthplace of the classic egg custard known as leite de creme. Ingredients such as milk, sugar, corn starch, cinnamon, and lemon peel are mixed with egg yolks to make it. Sugar and corn starch are added to the beaten eggs with milk. While stirring constantly, the mixture of cinnamon and lemon peel is cooked over low heat. Leite de creme is poured into individual ramekins once it reaches a thick consistency and then let to cool. A little sugar and a quick browning with the blowtorch are the finishing touches before serving.

Pudim de Leite Condensado - Brazil

This custard flan is a classic Brazilian delicacy made with cream and topped with caramel. Sweetened condensed milk, ordinary whole milk, eggs, and sugar are the usual components of pudim de leite condensado, though there are as many variants on the dish as there are families in Brazil (and Latin America) to be sure.

Before being cooked in a water bath until hard and set, the custard is usually made by pouring the condensed milk mixture into cake pans or circular molds that have been coated with a basic caramel sauce. Many people believe that this easy dessert was originally created by a priest named Manuel Joaquim Machado, better known as Father Priscos, and that it originated from an old Portuguese cuisine called pudim de priscos.

Crème caramel- France

A custard base and a layer of silky caramel make up this beloved delicacy. The French, the English, and the Spanish all lay claim to creating crème caramel, but no one can agree on where the recipe came from. Some claim that the French borrowed the name custard from the English, even though the dish is actually French.

The famous crema Catalana was born because of a historical trade in which Arabs introduced sugar cane to Europe and Spanish chefs learned how to prepare a light and sweet custard. On the other hand, full milk or cream is used exclusively in the French version.

Bavarian Cream - Germany

This velvety egg custard is made with whipped cream and thickened with gelatin. Cold versions are common, and they're often topped with fruit or sweet sauces for presentation. The exact place of origin of Bavarian cream is unknown, however it is believed to have originated in either France or Germany.

French chefs may have picked up the recipe while working in Bavaria in the 17th and 18th centuries. There is a school of thought that holds that the dish's recipe from the early 18th century belonged to the famed French chef Marie-Antoine Carême, who is said to have devised it.

Crema Catalana - Spain

One of Spain's most beloved sweets, Crema Catalana is a custard made with eggs, cornstarch, and milk that is baked in an oven. The dish is topped with sugar and then caramelized under a broiler or torch after it has cooled after baking. Cinnamon, lemon zest, or orange zest are some of the flavors that can be added to crema Catalana. Since it is customary to make the dessert on March 19, in honor of the saint Josep, it is also called Crema de Sant Josep. Also, this custard dish has been around since the 14th century, making it the oldest of its kind in Europe.

Crème Brûlée - France

The classic egg custard dish has a crispy, burnt toffee crust and is made with egg yolks, milk, sugar, and vanilla. Once the mixture is done, pour it into individual ramekins and poach them in a bain-marie. After that, chill them thoroughly. Brown sugar, caramelized under a broiler or blowtorch, is usually sprinkled on top of the chilled custard after it has set in large, flat pans.

It is uncertain where the dish originated from; France, Spain, and England all lay claim to it. Nonetheless, the consensus among culinary historians is that custards had widespread popularity throughout Europe for centuries, with recipes for the dessert making the rounds even as early as the Middle Ages.