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Lemon Custard

If you want to quickly cool the hot custard, pour it into a large bowl set in a larger bowl filled with ice and cold water. Stirring the custard frequently will help to cool it even faster.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes enough for 6 lemon-blueberry Napoleons

Ingredients

1 large whole egg, plus 1 large egg yolk
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a medium bowl, whisk together the whole egg, egg yolk, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup sugar. In a medium saucepan, combine the lemon zest, milk, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking constantly. Remove from heat; slowly pour about a third of the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly until combined. Pour mixture back into remaining milk, whisking constantly.

    Step 2

    Return saucepan to medium-high heat. Whisking constantly, cook until mixture is bubbling in the center and thick enough to hold a deep trail when stirred with a wooden spoon, about 2 minutes.

    Step 3

    Strain mixture through a fine sieve into a medium bowl; whisk in butter. Press a sheet of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming. Let cool completely. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use, up to 1 day.

Reprinted with permission from Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook by Martha Stewart. © 2005 Clarkson Potter
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