If you’re craving something sweet, but still want to be healthy, try my Chinese Egg Custard Dessert recipe. Sweet, smooth and pillowy, this classic Chinese dessert only uses 4 ingredients and comes together in less than 15 minutes. Serve after a meal and you have a warm treat that satisfies your sweet tooth without feeling too rich or heavy. This makes it the perfect healthy-ish dessert!

Ingredients

Eggs –  Eggs provide complete protein and 13 essential vitamins and minerals.

Milk – I choose regular 2% dairy milk (lactose-free if you are intolerant) or high protein milk, where most are lactose free. For a plant based version, the only one I would choose is a fortified soy beverage. As a dietitian, I choose milks that have the best amount of protein and are fortified with calcium and vitamin D. 

Sugar – As a dessert, this recipe needs sugar. I use white sugar because it’s the most accessible and most common sweetener used in desserts. You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar. 

Vanilla extract – I like pure vanilla extract for some nice flavor, but you can omit this if you prefer not to have it.

How to Make Chinese Egg Custard Dessert: Step by Step Instructions with Photos

Answers to your Nutrition Questions from a Dietitian/Nutrition Expert

But isn’t white sugar bad for you? 

There is common misconception that white sugar is “toxic” or worse for you than other types of sweeteners, ie. honey, brown sugar, agave, etc. As a dietitian who studied nutrition biochemistry, I can tell you: Sugar is sugar is sugar. It all gets broken down in your body the same way and we need sugar for energy. The real issue with sugar is that we tend to have more of it in our society than we actually need, and that often comes in the form of processed or sugary foods and drinks. This recipe does use white sugar, and it’s fine in this recipe, after all – it’s a dessert! Remember you can always adjust the sugar content by adding more/less to this recipe.

Chinese Egg Custard Dessert FAQs

Can you make this recipe ahead of time? 

Yes. You can make it ahead of time 1-5 days before and store it in the fridge. Cover with plastic wrap and reheat in the microwave when it’s time to serve. 

Can you freeze this recipe?

It is not recommended to freeze this recipe.

Chinese Egg Custard Dessert

Satisfy your sweet tooth with this healthy-ish 4 ingredient dessert recipe. Chinese Egg Custard dessert uses simple and wholesome ingredients. Mix all ingredients together and then steam in small bowls or ramekins, and you’ve got a simple yet satisfying dessert that’s ready to eat in minutes!

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Asian, Chinese

Servings 4

Equipment

• 4 ramekins or small rice bowls

Ingredients

  

• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (250 mL) 2% milk
• 2 Tbsp (30 mL) sugar
• 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) vanilla extract

Instructions

 

• Warm the milk in the microwave. You don't want to boil it, I microwave it for about 50 seconds. Beat the eggs in a large bowl.
• Add the warmed milk to the eggs. Add sugar and vanilla extra and mix well.
• Use a strainer to strain the egg mixture into 4 ramekins/small bowls.
• Cover each ramekin/small bowl with foil. Arrange in a steamer basket.
• Once the water is boiling and there is plenty of steam, steam the egg custard for about 10 minutes.
• Remove the ramekins/small bowls from the steamer, remove the foil and serve immediately.

Keyword custard, eggs

Did you make this recipe? Post your recipe and tag @michellejaelin to share your creation! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.

Other healthy Asian food recipes you might enjoy:

Overnight Oats with Mango

Wakame Seaweed Salad (Video)

Marinated Boiled Eggs