Baking has always felt like a quiet kind of magic—a way to slow down and create something special from the simplest of ingredients. Custard cookies, in particular, are my go-to when I want to bake something that’s both comforting and irresistibly charming. These cute little cookies are delicate, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth good, with just the right hint of custard to make them feel nostalgic yet timeless. They remind me of those childhood afternoons in my grandmother’s cozy kitchen, where the aroma of freshly piped cookies baking on the stove filled the air. She would let me watch as she carefully crafted each swirl, turning ordinary ingredients into tiny works of art. Even now, these cookies bring back that same warmth and sense of home.
But what makes custard cookies even more special is their versatility. They’re perfect for a quiet afternoon snack with tea, a thoughtful gift wrapped in a pretty box, or even as a centerpiece for a festive gathering. And if you’re someone who’s thinking beyond personal indulgence, these cookies are a fantastic choice for bulk baking and selling. Their consistent shape, long shelf life, and universal appeal make them a hit at markets, cafés, and online stores. Plus, their adorable size and delicate appearance instantly catch the eye, making them a favorite among customers who love a treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
So whether you’re baking for yourself, your loved ones, or an entire customer base, this recipe is a keeper. It’s easy to scale up, forgiving even for beginners, and yields perfectly piped little cookies that will have everyone coming back for more.
INGREDIENTS USED IN CUSTARD COOKIES
Butter
The fat in butter coats the flour particles, inhibiting gluten formation. This helps create a tender, crumbly cookie. Its mild, buttery flavor pairs beautifully with the custard powder, resulting in a soft, melt-in-the-mouth cookie. Softened butter helps in forming a dough that is smooth and easy to pipe. Butter contains a small percentage of water, which contributes to the cookie’s moisture content, keeping it soft yet crisp on the edges.
Milk
Milk provides just enough moisture to help bring the dough together without making it sticky. This allows the ingredients to bind smoothly, creating a cohesive dough that’s easy to work with. It keeps the cookies tender without making them too hard or dense after baking. The natural sugars and proteins in milk encourage gentle browning on the cookie edges during baking, contributing to a golden hue that signals they’re ready without over-baking.
Icing Sugar
Icing sugar provides the necessary sweetness to balance the richness of butter and the mild flavor of custard powder. Due to its fine texture, icing sugar dissolves easily, contributing to a smooth and velvety cookie texture. Icing sugar incorporates easily into the butter during creaming, aiding in creating a light, airy structure by trapping small air pockets. Using icing sugar results in a smoother dough, which translates into neatly piped cookies with clean, defined edges.
All Purpose Flour
All-purpose flour , when combined with liquid (milk) and mixed, the proteins in flour form gluten. This provides the structural framework that helps the cookies hold their shape during and after baking. The flour ensures the cookies don’t collapse or spread excessively, maintaining their piped design. During baking, flour contributes to the slight crispness on the cookie edges, enhancing the textural contrast. Flour absorbs the butter and milk, binding all the ingredients together into a cohesive dough. Its role in absorbing moisture helps achieve the correct consistency for a soft, pipeable dough.
Custard powder
Custard powder is primarily made of cornstarch, flavoring (usually vanilla), and sometimes a hint of color. It imparts a subtle, sweet, and creamy custard flavor that elevates the cookies. The cornstarch in custard powder interferes with gluten development, resulting in a softer, melt-in-the-mouth texture. While not as strong as flour in providing structure, custard powder helps bind the ingredients together, contributing to the overall cohesiveness of the dough.
EQUIPMENT USED FOR MAKING CUSTARD COOKIES
This recipe comes together quickly and hardly needs any equipment.
Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons. are an integral part of any baker’s kitchen and it’s very important to measure ingredients with precision.
A spatula and a whisk help to bring in the dough together. You will need piping bag and a nozzle tip to give the cookies the desired shape.
For the no-oven setup, you will need a large pan/kadhai/cooker to put the cookies in.
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TIPS TO MAKE CUSTARD COOKIES
- Ensure the butter is at room temperature. Cold butter won’t cream properly, and melted butter will make the dough too soft.
- Sift the all-purpose flour and custard powder before adding to avoid lumps and ensure even mixing.
- The dough should be soft and pipeable. If it’s too stiff, add a teaspoon of milk at a time until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape while baking and prevents spreading.
- You can enhance the cookies by adding a splash of vanilla or almond extract.
- Dust with extra icing sugar once cooled or dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate for a fancier touch.
- ½ cup butter
- ¼ cup icing sugar
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 3 tbsp custard powder
- 4 tbsp milk
- In a bowl, add softened butter and icing sugar. Whisk it well till light and fluffy and all the sugar is dissolved.
- Then add flour, custard powder and milk. Mix it well to form a soft pipeable dough. Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with an open star nozzle.
- Pipe the cookies on a plate lined with parchment paper and freeze for 10-15 minutes.
- For baking, set a pan on medium-low heat and spread a layer of salt in it. Place a small stand in it and cover it. Let it preheat for 5-10 minutes.
- Once preheated, carefully place the cookie plate over the stand and cover again. Let it cook for 12-15 minutes or until the edges become golden brown.
If you like my Custard Cookies recipe and happen to make them in your kitchen, do tag me on Instagram and share pictures with me using #Bakewithshivesh. Happy Baking!
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