The Ultimate Custard Creams Recipe: A Classic British Biscuit You’ll Love

Custard creams are a beloved British classic—a delightful sandwich biscuit filled with smooth, vanilla-flavored cream. Their delicate texture and sweet taste have made them a staple with tea or coffee for decades. Whether you’re hosting an afternoon tea, looking for a nostalgic treat, or simply wanting to try your hand at baking, custard creams are the perfect choice.

In this blog, we’ll take you through an easy-to-follow recipe to make these buttery, creamy biscuits from scratch. We’ll also share tips, customization ideas, and answers to frequently asked questions about custard creams. Let’s get started!

What Are Custard Creams?

Custard creams are a sandwich-style biscuit, typically made with two soft, crumbly cookies and a vanilla-flavored buttercream filling. The biscuits have a delicate pattern on the surface and a light, buttery flavor, while the filling brings a smooth, custard-like sweetness. They are commonly enjoyed with tea or coffee, making them a quintessential British tea-time treat.

Ingredients for Homemade Custard Creams

For the biscuits:

1 1/4 cups (150g) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (30g) custard powder (or instant vanilla pudding mix)
1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon milk (if needed)

For the filling:

1/4 cup (50g) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar
1 tablespoon custard powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions for Making Custard Creams

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour and custard powder.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter-sugar mixture and mix until the dough comes together. If the dough feels dry, add 1 tablespoon of milk to help bind it.
Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.

Step 2: Shape and Bake the Biscuits

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
Using a rectangular cookie cutter or knife, cut the dough into small, even rectangles (or any shape you prefer).
If you want the traditional look, use a fork or toothpick to imprint a decorative pattern on the surface of each biscuit.
Place the biscuits on the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until they are lightly golden at the edges. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 3: Make the Filling

While the biscuits cool, prepare the filling by creaming together the butter, powdered sugar, custard powder, and vanilla extract in a small bowl.
Mix until smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Assemble the Custard Creams

Once the biscuits are completely cool, spread or pipe a layer of the filling onto the bottom side of half the biscuits.
Place the remaining biscuits on top to create sandwich cookies.
Press gently to secure the filling, being careful not to crack the biscuits.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Custard creams are best enjoyed with a hot cup of tea or coffee. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Tips for Perfect Custard Creams

Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough before rolling helps prevent it from sticking and ensures a clean, sharp shape when cutting.
Custard Powder Substitution: If you don’t have custard powder, you can use instant vanilla pudding mix as a substitute for a similar flavor and texture.
Decorating the Biscuits: To achieve the traditional custard cream pattern, lightly press a fork or patterned rolling pin onto the surface before baking.
Piping the Filling: For a neater look, use a piping bag to apply the filling instead of spreading it with a knife.

Customizing Your Custard Creams

While the classic vanilla flavor is delightful on its own, you can easily customize custard creams with different flavors or decorations:

Lemon Custard Creams: Add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the biscuit dough and swap the vanilla extract in the filling for lemon juice.
Chocolate Custard Creams: Mix 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder into the dough for chocolate-flavored biscuits and use a chocolate buttercream filling.
Fun Shapes: Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes like stars, hearts, or flowers for special occasions.
Color the Filling: Add a drop of food coloring to the filling to make festive or colorful custard creams for parties or holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions About Custard Creams

What is custard powder?
Custard powder is a popular ingredient in British baking, often used to create a custard-like flavor. It’s made from cornstarch, flavorings, and coloring, and is commonly used in making custard desserts, puddings, and fillings.

Can I freeze custard creams?
Yes, you can freeze custard creams. Store them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Allow them to thaw at room temperature before serving.

Do I have to use custard powder?
While custard powder adds the classic flavor, you can substitute it with instant vanilla pudding mix or even leave it out entirely and still make delicious vanilla sandwich cookies.

How long do custard creams last?
Custard creams can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you prefer, you can also refrigerate them to extend their freshness.

Can I make gluten-free custard creams?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make gluten-free custard creams. Ensure that all other ingredients, including the custard powder, are also gluten-free.

Conclusion

Custard creams are a delightful, nostalgic treat that you can easily make at home. With their tender, buttery biscuits and creamy vanilla filling, they’re perfect for tea time or any occasion. Whether you stick to the traditional recipe or add your own twist with different flavors and shapes, these biscuits are sure to be a hit.

Give this recipe a try, and you’ll find that homemade custard creams are even better than store-bought ones. Not only do they taste fresher, but they also allow for creative customization, making them a fun and satisfying baking project.