Easy Homemade Creme Anglaise: Classic French Vanilla Custard Sauce

Delicious Creme Anglaise – Silky Vanilla Custard Sauce

creme anglaise is a luscious, pourable vanilla custard sauce that’s perfect for elevating desserts from everyday to extraordinary. With simple ingredients and approachable steps, this classic French sauce becomes a staple in your kitchen repertoire.

Why You’ll Love This Creme Anglaise

• Silky Texture: Low-and-slow cooking ensures a smooth, velvety finish.
• Versatile: Drizzle over fruit, ice cream, pound cake, or enjoy on its own.
• Quick & Homemade: Ready in under 30 minutes with just six pantry staples.

Ingredients for Creme Anglaise

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 large egg yolks
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (or seeds from 1 vanilla bean)
• Pinch of fine sea salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine heavy cream, milk, and half the sugar. Warm gently over medium heat until steam rises—do not boil.
2. Meanwhile, whisk egg yolks and remaining sugar in a heatproof bowl until pale and slightly thickened.
3. Slowly ladle about ½ cup of the warm cream mixture into the yolks while whisking constantly (this is called tempering).
4. Pour the tempered yolks back into the saucepan with the remaining cream, stirring continuously.
5. Cook over low heat, stirring with a heatproof spatula, until the custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon (about 170°F or 77°C).
6. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl.
7. Place the bowl over an ice bath, stirring occasionally until cool. Transfer to the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Custard

• Use a digital thermometer to avoid overcooking.
• Straining eliminates any bits of cooked egg for ultimate smoothness.
• Flavor variations: swap vanilla for almond extract or infuse with citrus zest.

Nutrition Information (per serving)

• Calories: 109 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Fat: 9 g (Saturated Fat: 5 g)
• Cholesterol: 96 mg
• Sodium: 10 mg
• Sugar: 6 g

With its luxurious mouthfeel and rich vanilla aroma, this classic creme anglaise will become your go-to dessert sauce—enjoy every silky spoonful of creme anglaise.

Original recipe credit