35 custardy recipes

This Christmas pudding has plenty of delicious fruit and nuts, but it's really simple to make - just plan ahead and then make the warm vanilla-bean custard on the day.

Orange custard cookies are mini tartlets with buttery shortbread shells filled with an almond-orange flower water custard, baked in muffin tins. Two dozen elegant bite-sized desserts with a Mediterranean fragrance.

A from-scratch coconut custard pie with a silky cream and egg yolk filling loaded with shredded coconut, topped with billowy golden meringue. Old-fashioned diner pie done right at home.

Golden Apple custard pie with thinly sliced apples in a silky vanilla-cream custard, baked in a water bath until just set. Bistro-style French dessert with a golden top and fragrant nutmeg.

Layered custard bars with a buttery almond liqueur crust, sliced peaches, egg custard, and cinnamon almonds on top. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Mandeltorte, a classic German almond torte made with ground almonds, bread crumbs, and whipped egg whites. Filled with lemon orange custard and dusted with powdered sugar.

This is a traditional Canadian sweet, much loved and admired. The origin of the recipe seems to be lost in the mists of time, though everyone seems to agree that it comes from the town of Nanaimo, in British Columbia.

Sourdough buttermilk waffles with whole wheat flour and overnight rest for tangy depth. Crisp outside, custardy inside, and freezer-friendly for weekday breakfasts.

Eggnog waffles use leftover holiday eggnog instead of milk for warm spiced flavor and a tender, custardy interior. Optional pecans or walnuts add crunch. A festive December brunch.

Apricot brandy pound cake with sour cream, four extracts, and a fragrant boozy crumb. A tall tube-pan cake with a tight golden crust and tender, custardy interior.

A very moist, custardy pumpkin pie spiced with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and clove. Lightened up with sugar substitute and skim milk for a lighter slice on the Thanksgiving table.

Pumpkin pie spiked with a half cup of whiskey for grown-up depth, made with canned pumpkin and warm cinnamon, ginger, and clove. A boozy holiday classic that bakes into two custardy pies.

The classic Southern Living sweet potato casserole: a creamy, custardy mash of sweet potatoes baked under a buttery brown-sugar pecan crumble. No marshmallows here, just a crunchy praline-style topping. A holiday must.

Deep-fried French toast dipped in a flour and baking powder batter, fried golden in an inch of oil, then dusted with cinnamon sugar. Crispy outside, custardy inside.

Pecan chess pie crosses Southern chess pie with classic pecan pie: a custardy cornmeal-laced filling studded with toasted pecans baked into a flaky crust. Less sticky than corn syrup-style pecan pies.

Custardy banana bread pudding made with whole wheat bread, ripe bananas, coconut, and pecans, topped with a rich butter rum sauce. A warm, comforting dessert that serves 8.