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    Home » Pudding, Mousse, and Custard » Easy Keto Custard

    Published: Jan 8, 2023 by Carolyn

    Easy Keto Custard

    This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    2.7K shares
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    Keto custard is a classic dessert that takes only 5 simple ingredients. It’s so easy to make and results in a rich, silky smooth texture. Just like your grandma used to make, without the sugar!

    Keto Custard in a white ramekin with a spoonful taken out of it. A bowl of raspberries in the background.

    Want an old fashioned dessert that makes you feel like a kid again? You can’t go wrong with a classic baked custard. And this keto custard recipe is heaven on a spoon.

    I am always surprised by how much I like custard. It doesn’t look all that special, nor sound that interesting. Then I dig my spoon in and marvel at the creamy consistency. And the flavor is simple and comforting.

    If any dessert can be considered nostalgic, then this is it! Just like Keto Chocolate Pudding, this will transport you to your childhood.

    Top down image of keto custard in a white ramekin with berries on top.

    Why you need this recipe

    My recipe for keto custard makes it even easier than it already is. You don’t need to scald the cream or temper the eggs. Instead, you just blend everything up together and pour it into the ramekins.

    There is no need for starches or flours to thicken the custard. The cream and eggs are sufficient to create a thick consistency with a rich, velvety mouthfeel. And you don’t have to chill this dessert for it to set. You can eat it warm, room temperature, or cold, as you like. I really enjoy it room temperature.

    You still need to use a water bath to get the perfect silky smooth texture. But I walk you through how to set that up, step by step. It’s remarkably simple.

    Custard without sugar is amazingly keto-friendly. Each serving has only 2.5g of carbs, so you can enjoy this sweet treat and easily stay within your carb limit for the day!

    Ingredients you need

    Top down image of ingredients needed for baked keto custard.
    • Heavy whipping cream: Whipping cream provides the base of this recipe and results in a silky smooth keto custard. If you live in other countries (Europe or Australia), look for double cream or thickened cream. You can also use unsweetened coconut cream for a dairy-free version.
    • Eggs: Custard is an egg-based recipe but it’s not eggy at all. Instead, it’s rich and creamy.
    • Sweetener: I like to use Swerve for this recipe but other granular sweeteners may work as well. Check out the Expert Tips section for suggestions.
    • Vanilla Extract: Vanilla is the standard flavor for custard but don’t feel limited to that. You can try other extracts as well. Caramel would be delicious!
    • Nutmeg: Baked custard typically has a sprinkle of nutmeg on the top. But you could do cinnamon if you prefer.
    • Salt

    Step by Step Directions

    A collage of 4 images showing the steps for making keto custard.

    1. Blend the ingredients: Add the whipping cream, eggs, egg yolk, sweetener, vanilla extract, and salt to a blender. Pulse a few times until well combined.

    2. Fill the ramekins: Place 4 small ramekins in a larger baking dish. Divide the custard mixture between ramekins and sprinkle the tops with nutmeg or cinnamon.

    3. Set up a bain marie: Fill the baking dish with enough hot water to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Do not get any water inside the ramekins.

    4. Bake the custard: Place the baking dish in a 350ºF oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean but the custard still jiggles slightly when shaken.

    A spoon lifting digging into a ramekin of keto custard.

    Expert Tips

    Do not skip the bain marie (water bath)! Custard based desserts need gentle heat to cook through without becoming tough or rubbery. A water bath provides the most gentle source of heat. I experimented with a custard outside of the water bath once, just to see. It rose alarmingly and then fell and became wrinkled and ugly.

    Don’t blend the ingredients too vigorously. You simply want to pulse a few times quickly until well combined. Over-blending will whip too much air into the mixture. You can also simply whisk them in a large bowl. Just make sure that the sweetener gets mixed in well before adding to the ramekins.

    Sweetener Options: You should be able to use any granular sweetener for this keto custard. However, they will take longer to set with allulose and the tops will brown more.

    Dairy-Free Option: You can use coconut cream (the thick portion from the top of a can of coconut milk) for this custard. However, it may need to bake longer to set properly so keep your eye on it!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How many carbs are in keto custard?

    This sugar-free custard recipe has only 2.5g of carbs per serving. It is an ideal keto dessert for beginners as it’s very easy to make.

    How can I thicken custard without flour?

    Custard does not need to be thickened with flours or starches. The combination of heavy cream and eggs is sufficient to make a rich, thick, creamy custard. So this keto custard contains no flour of any kind.

    How do you store keto custard?

    Store the custards, tightly wrapped, in the fridge for up to 5 days. I do not recommend freezing this recipe.

    Baked keto custard in a white ramekin with pink flowers in the background.

    More custard based desserts

    • Keto Key Lime Pie
    • Pumpkin Crunch Cake
    • Keto Coconut Cream Pie
    • Sugar Free Coconut Flan
    • French Style Keto Chocolate Mousse
    Clickable banner for Keto Dairy Free Desserts
    Keto Custard in a white ramekin with a spoonful taken out of it. A bowl of raspberries in the background.

    Easy Keto Custard Recipe

    Keto custard is a classic dessert that takes only 5 simple ingredients. It's so easy to make and results in a rich, silky smooth texture. Just like your grandma used to make, without the sugar!
    4.89 from 9 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: keto custard
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 312kcal

    Equipment

    • 4 ½ cup capacity ramekins

    Ingredients

    • 1 ¼ cups heavy whipping cream
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 large egg yolk
    • 6 tablespoon Swerve Granular
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • Ground nutmeg or cinnamon
    US Customary – Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Set four 4-ounce ramekins inside a larger baking dish.
    • Add the whipping cream, eggs, egg yolk, sweetener, vanilla extract, and salt to a blender. Pulse a few times until well combined.
    • Divide the custard mixture between the ramekins and sprinkle the tops nutmeg or cinnamon.
    • Fill the baking dish with enough hot water to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Do not get any water inside the ramekins.
    • Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake 35 to 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean but the custard still jiggles slightly when shaken.
    • Remove the baking dish from the oven and carefully remove the custards from the baking dish. Let cool completely.

    Notes

    Storage Information: Store the custards, tightly wrapped, in the fridge for up to 5 days. I do not recommend freezing this recipe.
    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Keto Custard Recipe
    Amount Per Serving (1 custard)
    Calories 312 Calories from Fat 265
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 29.4g45%
    Carbohydrates 2.5g1%
    Protein 5.6g11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    2.7K shares

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    Nutritional Disclaimer

    Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Michelle M says

      May 06, 2023 at 1:15 pm

      This popped up in my feed this morning AFTER I made the custard lol. FB is reading our minds! I have the recipe on my fridge, saw it when I was getting my coffee and it sounded good!! The timer for the custard went off just as I am writing this message! It’s awesome and my adult son who has type 2 diabetes loves it. Since I was out of cream I used canned coconut milk and a little rum extract. Yummy!!! And a great breakfast option too.

      Reply
    2. Kazzy M. says

      April 13, 2023 at 9:49 pm

      Hi, Carolyn…I’m five states away from home, Hubster and I are temporarily in an RV, helping our son out while he’s trying to adopt a precious little one. The RV has a convection oven/microwave depending on which button you push. A lovely keto dessert like this custard would sooo help keep me on track, but the oven is too small to accommodate a “water bath” to hold ramekins. How important is the bath part to the success of the recipe? If I put the entire recipe in the only baking dish I have (maybe 8″ x 3″), then just bake it, would I be wasting all my ingredients? You’ve done a lot of baking-do you think it might work? For just now, I’m so restricted by lack of space and basic cooking tools. Thank you so much for your help.

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        April 14, 2023 at 8:22 am

        Oh boy… a hot water bath is extremely important for custard. If you don’t use one, they rise and then fall and get all rubbery. Sorry to say! If you want something with a similar texture, try panna cotta. No oven required! https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/keto-strawberry-panna-cotta/

        Reply
    3. Deborah Daige says

      March 27, 2023 at 1:20 pm

      can I use half n half or evaporated milk to replace the heavy crem?

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        March 27, 2023 at 6:45 pm

        I am doubtful it would thicken properly. And would be much higher in carbs.

        Reply
    4. Kathleen says

      March 03, 2023 at 3:20 pm

      Surely you have seen the recent news about the dangers of erythritol. I threw my swerve in the garbage.

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        March 04, 2023 at 9:31 am

        I have. And I have written about it and done videos about it. Many experts (and I mean truly reputable, credible medical professionals and clinical researchers) agree that it is a VERY preliminary study that simply warrants more investigation and research. Sadly, the media did what it loves to do and wrote panic-inducing headlines that make it sound like we are all facing imminent death.

        The New York Times wrote a follow up article that puts it much better perspective! I don’t have the link at the moment but you can google it easily. You can also check out what I wrote on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AllDayIDreamAboutFood/posts/pfbid032WFxMUPJo1GF7t3tpFAujpeWYm3C7kFXa6315o13c7H7s8DuARD5UKYNrGakdutVl

        And watch my YouTube video: https://youtube.com/live/ZAlvyszV0EM?feature=share

        That said, I am committed to helping readers figure out their own approach. Whether they want to eliminate it altogether, cut back on it, or keep baking with it. If you would like other sweetener recommendations, all you need to do is ask! 🙂

        Reply
      • Carolyn says

        March 04, 2023 at 9:43 am

        Ahhh, here’s the link for the NYT article: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/28/well/artificial-sweetener-heart-attack-stroke.html

        Reply
    5. Dee says

      March 03, 2023 at 2:44 pm

      Has anyone tried it without using any sweetener? I don’t care for the after taste they leave and they all seem to spike my BS

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        March 04, 2023 at 9:25 am

        I think they might be quite nice that way. I might add some additional vanilla… you could also try just a touch of pure stevia or monk fruit for a tiny bit of sweetness.

        Reply
    6. Esther says

      February 22, 2023 at 8:34 pm

      5 stars
      I made these wonderful custards tonight using coconut cream & lessened the Swerve to 2 Tbsp… They are totally YUMMY, & so much better in flavour than my previous go-to & so quick to put together!! Thank-you for another amazing recipe!!

      Reply
    7. Shirley says

      January 30, 2023 at 8:50 pm

      5 stars
      I am making this recipe for the 3rd time now. I’m finding sugar granules at the bottom of the ramekin, what could I be doing wrong??

      Reply
    8. Irene S says

      January 29, 2023 at 2:29 pm

      I’m so excited for this recipe! I used my magic bullet to blend it all up, but I didn’t have the right size ramekins, so had to use five smaller ones. I was afraid to overcook them, so I started at 20 minutes and then another 10, then ended up giving them another 15 for the full 45 minutes anyway. They are chilling now, but I think they’ll be perfect! Thanks for all the wonderful recipes you share!! 💜

      Reply
    9. Andrea says

      January 18, 2023 at 2:41 am

      5 stars
      Delicious and sprinkling with nutmeg makes it look like a creme brulee.

      Reply
    10. Janice Nelson says

      January 16, 2023 at 3:35 pm

      4 stars
      Absolutely loved the flavor of this recipe. It does need to cook longer at the high altitude of Denver, CO. Only 4 stars since the within an hour of eating the yummy goodness the Erythritol caused substantial stomach discomfort for my husband and me. It lasted throughout the whole night. When possible, I am wondering if you could suggest alternate sweeteners for your recipes for those of us who can’t tolerate Erythritol?

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        January 16, 2023 at 5:30 pm

        I already did. In the Expert Tips section…

        Reply
    11. Holly says

      January 12, 2023 at 3:28 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely delish! Turned out perfectly!

      Reply
    12. Jo says

      January 11, 2023 at 9:37 pm

      This was such a delight! I have so missed this favorite dessert and now it is back! Although I used Swerve, it did take a longer to bake but so worth the wait.

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        January 12, 2023 at 3:22 pm

        So glad to hear it!

        Reply
    13. Shelby says

      January 11, 2023 at 7:34 am

      Hi! Can powdered Swerve be substituted? Also, can the top be broiled/fired to make a brulee?

      Reply
      • Shelby says

        January 11, 2023 at 7:36 am

        Oops, just saw that powdered Swerve can be substituted.

        Reply
    14. Beth Jelks says

      January 08, 2023 at 6:39 pm

      5 stars
      In the oven as I type. Can’t wait to try.
      Thank you for all the fabulous recipes.

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        January 08, 2023 at 8:08 pm

        Enjoy!

        Reply
    15. Eva Howard says

      January 08, 2023 at 4:14 pm

      This has to be the best custard I have ever had. My mom made egg custard once in a while and this took me back to those days.
      I’ll be making this again.

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        January 08, 2023 at 8:05 pm

        That’s so great to hear!

        Reply
    16. Tracy says

      January 08, 2023 at 3:12 pm

      This recipe looks great! I’m currently out of swerve granular sweetener… could I use swerve powdered sweetener? I wasn’t sure if you were excluding it on purpose when mentioning “any granular sweetener”.

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        January 08, 2023 at 8:06 pm

        You can use powdered… should be fine.

        Reply

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    FREE Secrets to Keto Baking

    Tips and tricks to delicious and healthy recipes!

    Looking for the best low carb recipes? You’ve come to the right place! I’m Carolyn, a major carnivore and an unrepentant sweet tooth. Here you will find all you need to enjoy the low carb keto lifestyle to the fullest! Read more

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