🍮 Pudding Vocab
The words pudding and custard cover several different dessert styles. In American English, pudding often means a soft, spoonable dessert thickened with starch, while British food vocabulary uses the word much more broadly for baked, steamed, and sometimes even savory dishes. Custard usually contains eggs and milk or cream and thickens when gently heated. Some custards are baked until set, some remain pourable, and others become fillings for pastries or frozen desserts.
🥣 Creamy & Spoonable Puddings
🍫 Chocolate Pudding
a smooth, spoonable chocolate dessert usually thickened with starch, eggs, or both
Example: The chocolate pudding was chilled until it became thick and creamy.
🇫🇷 French: Pudding au chocolat
🇩🇪 German: Schokoladenpudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino al cioccolato
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de chocolate
💡 Nuance: In American English, this is one of the clearest examples of pudding meaning a soft, creamy dessert eaten with a spoon.
a smooth, spoonable chocolate dessert usually thickened with starch, eggs, or both
Example: The chocolate pudding was chilled until it became thick and creamy.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Pudín de chocolate🇫🇷 French: Pudding au chocolat
🇩🇪 German: Schokoladenpudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino al cioccolato
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de chocolate
💡 Nuance: In American English, this is one of the clearest examples of pudding meaning a soft, creamy dessert eaten with a spoon.
🤍 Vanilla Pudding
a smooth, sweet pudding flavored mainly with vanilla
Example: The vanilla pudding had a mild flavor and a silky texture.
🇫🇷 French: Pudding à la vanille
🇩🇪 German: Vanillepudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino alla vaniglia
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de baunilha
💡 Nuance: Vanilla pudding is usually starch-thickened and should not automatically be treated as the same thing as baked egg custard.
a smooth, sweet pudding flavored mainly with vanilla
Example: The vanilla pudding had a mild flavor and a silky texture.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Pudín de vainilla🇫🇷 French: Pudding à la vanille
🇩🇪 German: Vanillepudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino alla vaniglia
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de baunilha
💡 Nuance: Vanilla pudding is usually starch-thickened and should not automatically be treated as the same thing as baked egg custard.
🍚 Rice Pudding
a soft dessert made by cooking rice with milk or another creamy liquid, usually with sugar and flavorings
Example: The rice pudding was flavored with cinnamon and vanilla.
🇫🇷 French: Riz au lait
🇩🇪 German: Milchreis
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino di riso
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz-doce
💡 Nuance: Rice pudding is a broad international dessert category, and recipes vary greatly in sweetness, spices, thickness, and serving temperature.
a soft dessert made by cooking rice with milk or another creamy liquid, usually with sugar and flavorings
Example: The rice pudding was flavored with cinnamon and vanilla.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arroz con leche🇫🇷 French: Riz au lait
🇩🇪 German: Milchreis
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino di riso
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Arroz-doce
💡 Nuance: Rice pudding is a broad international dessert category, and recipes vary greatly in sweetness, spices, thickness, and serving temperature.
⚪ Tapioca Pudding
a creamy pudding containing small tapioca pearls made from cassava starch
Example: The tapioca pudding had tiny translucent pearls suspended in the creamy base.
🇫🇷 French: Pudding au tapioca
🇩🇪 German: Tapiokapudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino di tapioca
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de tapioca
💡 Nuance: Tapioca pearls come from cassava starch, not from a grain.
a creamy pudding containing small tapioca pearls made from cassava starch
Example: The tapioca pudding had tiny translucent pearls suspended in the creamy base.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Pudín de tapioca🇫🇷 French: Pudding au tapioca
🇩🇪 German: Tapiokapudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino di tapioca
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de tapioca
💡 Nuance: Tapioca pearls come from cassava starch, not from a grain.
🍌 Banana Pudding
an American layered dessert commonly made with vanilla pudding or custard, sliced bananas, and cookies or wafers
Example: The banana pudding had layers of bananas, vanilla custard, and soft cookies.
🇫🇷 French: Pudding à la banane
🇩🇪 German: Bananenpudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino alla banana
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de banana
💡 Nuance: Banana pudding is usually a layered dessert, not simply pudding flavored with mashed banana.
an American layered dessert commonly made with vanilla pudding or custard, sliced bananas, and cookies or wafers
Example: The banana pudding had layers of bananas, vanilla custard, and soft cookies.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Pudín de banana🇫🇷 French: Pudding à la banane
🇩🇪 German: Bananenpudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino alla banana
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de banana
💡 Nuance: Banana pudding is usually a layered dessert, not simply pudding flavored with mashed banana.
🧈 Butterscotch Pudding
a creamy pudding flavored with the rich combination of brown sugar and butter
Example: The butterscotch pudding had a deep brown-sugar flavor.
🇫🇷 French: Pudding au butterscotch
🇩🇪 German: Butterscotch-Pudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino al butterscotch
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de butterscotch
💡 Nuance: Butterscotch is associated especially with brown sugar and butter, rather than simply any caramel flavor.
a creamy pudding flavored with the rich combination of brown sugar and butter
Example: The butterscotch pudding had a deep brown-sugar flavor.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Pudín de butterscotch🇫🇷 French: Pudding au butterscotch
🇩🇪 German: Butterscotch-Pudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino al butterscotch
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de butterscotch
💡 Nuance: Butterscotch is associated especially with brown sugar and butter, rather than simply any caramel flavor.
🌱 Chia Pudding
a no-cook pudding made by soaking chia seeds in liquid until they absorb moisture and form a thick gel
Example: The chia pudding thickened overnight in the refrigerator.
🇫🇷 French: Pudding de chia
🇩🇪 German: Chia-Pudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino di chia
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de chia
💡 Nuance: Chia pudding thickens because the seeds form a gel when hydrated; it does not require eggs or starch cooking.
a no-cook pudding made by soaking chia seeds in liquid until they absorb moisture and form a thick gel
Example: The chia pudding thickened overnight in the refrigerator.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Pudín de chía🇫🇷 French: Pudding de chia
🇩🇪 German: Chia-Pudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino di chia
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de chia
💡 Nuance: Chia pudding thickens because the seeds form a gel when hydrated; it does not require eggs or starch cooking.
⚪ Sago Pudding
a pudding made with small sago pearls cooked in milk or another liquid
Example: The sago pudding had small soft pearls throughout the creamy mixture.
🇫🇷 French: Pudding au sagou
🇩🇪 German: Sagopudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino di sago
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de sagu
💡 Nuance: Sago and tapioca can look similar in puddings, but traditional sago comes from starch extracted from certain palms, while tapioca comes from cassava.
a pudding made with small sago pearls cooked in milk or another liquid
Example: The sago pudding had small soft pearls throughout the creamy mixture.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Pudín de sagú🇫🇷 French: Pudding au sagou
🇩🇪 German: Sagopudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino di sago
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de sagu
💡 Nuance: Sago and tapioca can look similar in puddings, but traditional sago comes from starch extracted from certain palms, while tapioca comes from cassava.
🌾 Semolina Pudding
a soft pudding made by cooking semolina wheat with milk and sugar
Example: The semolina pudding became thick and smooth as the grain cooked in milk.
🇫🇷 French: Semoule au lait
🇩🇪 German: Grießpudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino di semolino
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de sêmola
💡 Nuance: Semolina is a coarse wheat product, so this pudding has a different texture from rice or tapioca pudding.
a soft pudding made by cooking semolina wheat with milk and sugar
Example: The semolina pudding became thick and smooth as the grain cooked in milk.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Pudín de sémola🇫🇷 French: Semoule au lait
🇩🇪 German: Grießpudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino di semolino
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de sêmola
💡 Nuance: Semolina is a coarse wheat product, so this pudding has a different texture from rice or tapioca pudding.
🇮🇳 Kheer
a South Asian milk pudding commonly made by slowly cooking rice with milk, sugar, and aromatic ingredients such as cardamom
Example: The kheer was flavored with cardamom and topped with chopped pistachios.
🇫🇷 French: Kheer / riz au lait indien
🇩🇪 German: Kheer / indischer Milchreis
🇮🇹 Italian: Kheer / riso al latte indiano
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Kheer / arroz-doce indiano
💡 Nuance: Kheer belongs to the broader family of rice puddings, but its South Asian preparation and flavorings make it a distinct traditional dessert.
a South Asian milk pudding commonly made by slowly cooking rice with milk, sugar, and aromatic ingredients such as cardamom
Example: The kheer was flavored with cardamom and topped with chopped pistachios.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Kheer / arroz con leche indio🇫🇷 French: Kheer / riz au lait indien
🇩🇪 German: Kheer / indischer Milchreis
🇮🇹 Italian: Kheer / riso al latte indiano
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Kheer / arroz-doce indiano
💡 Nuance: Kheer belongs to the broader family of rice puddings, but its South Asian preparation and flavorings make it a distinct traditional dessert.
🍞 Baked & Steamed Puddings
🍞 Bread Pudding
a baked dessert made by soaking pieces of bread in a sweet egg-and-milk mixture
Example: The bread pudding was soft inside with crisp browned edges.
🇫🇷 French: Pudding au pain
🇩🇪 German: Brotpudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino di pane
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de pão
💡 Nuance: The bread absorbs the custard mixture before baking, giving the finished dessert a soft interior.
a baked dessert made by soaking pieces of bread in a sweet egg-and-milk mixture
Example: The bread pudding was soft inside with crisp browned edges.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Budín de pan🇫🇷 French: Pudding au pain
🇩🇪 German: Brotpudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino di pane
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de pão
💡 Nuance: The bread absorbs the custard mixture before baking, giving the finished dessert a soft interior.
🌽 Corn Pudding
a soft baked corn dish made with corn, eggs, dairy, and sometimes sugar
Example: The corn pudding was served beside the main course rather than with dessert.
🇫🇷 French: Pudding de maïs
🇩🇪 German: Maispudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino di mais
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de milho
💡 Nuance: Corn pudding is often a savory or lightly sweet side dish, especially in the United States, rather than a dessert.
a soft baked corn dish made with corn, eggs, dairy, and sometimes sugar
Example: The corn pudding was served beside the main course rather than with dessert.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Pudín de maíz🇫🇷 French: Pudding de maïs
🇩🇪 German: Maispudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino di mais
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de milho
💡 Nuance: Corn pudding is often a savory or lightly sweet side dish, especially in the United States, rather than a dessert.
🍯 Sticky Toffee Pudding
a British dessert consisting of a moist date cake served with a rich toffee sauce
Example: The sticky toffee pudding arrived warm with toffee sauce poured over the cake.
🇫🇷 French: Sticky toffee pudding
🇩🇪 German: Sticky Toffee Pudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Sticky toffee pudding
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sticky toffee pudding
💡 Nuance: Despite the word pudding, this dessert is much more cake-like than American chocolate or vanilla pudding.
a British dessert consisting of a moist date cake served with a rich toffee sauce
Example: The sticky toffee pudding arrived warm with toffee sauce poured over the cake.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Sticky toffee pudding🇫🇷 French: Sticky toffee pudding
🇩🇪 German: Sticky Toffee Pudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Sticky toffee pudding
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sticky toffee pudding
💡 Nuance: Despite the word pudding, this dessert is much more cake-like than American chocolate or vanilla pudding.
🎄 Christmas Pudding
a dense British steamed or boiled holiday pudding made with dried fruit, spices, and other rich ingredients
Example: The Christmas pudding was packed with dried fruit and warm spices.
🇫🇷 French: Christmas pudding
🇩🇪 German: Weihnachtspudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Christmas pudding
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de Natal
💡 Nuance: Christmas pudding is a dense fruit dessert, not a creamy spoon pudding.
a dense British steamed or boiled holiday pudding made with dried fruit, spices, and other rich ingredients
Example: The Christmas pudding was packed with dried fruit and warm spices.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Pudín de Navidad🇫🇷 French: Christmas pudding
🇩🇪 German: Weihnachtspudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Christmas pudding
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de Natal
💡 Nuance: Christmas pudding is a dense fruit dessert, not a creamy spoon pudding.
🍇 Figgy Pudding
a traditional British-style steamed pudding associated with dried fruit and historically with figs
Example: The figgy pudding was dense, dark, and full of dried fruit.
🇫🇷 French: Pudding aux figues
🇩🇪 German: Feigenpudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino di fichi
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de figos
💡 Nuance: The term is historical and recipes vary. Figgy pudding overlaps with the broader British tradition of steamed fruit puddings.
a traditional British-style steamed pudding associated with dried fruit and historically with figs
Example: The figgy pudding was dense, dark, and full of dried fruit.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Pudín de higos🇫🇷 French: Pudding aux figues
🇩🇪 German: Feigenpudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Budino di fichi
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de figos
💡 Nuance: The term is historical and recipes vary. Figgy pudding overlaps with the broader British tradition of steamed fruit puddings.
🇿🇦 Malva Pudding
a South African baked sponge dessert usually flavored with apricot jam and soaked with a warm sweet cream sauce
Example: The malva pudding absorbed the warm cream sauce and became very moist.
🇫🇷 French: Malva pudding
🇩🇪 German: Malva Pudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Malva pudding
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Malva pudding
💡 Nuance: Like sticky toffee pudding, malva pudding is a baked sponge dessert, not a creamy pudding.
a South African baked sponge dessert usually flavored with apricot jam and soaked with a warm sweet cream sauce
Example: The malva pudding absorbed the warm cream sauce and became very moist.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Malva pudding🇫🇷 French: Malva pudding
🇩🇪 German: Malva Pudding
🇮🇹 Italian: Malva pudding
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Malva pudding
💡 Nuance: Like sticky toffee pudding, malva pudding is a baked sponge dessert, not a creamy pudding.
🥚 Baked, Set & Caramel Custards
🥚 Baked Custard
a custard mixture of eggs, milk or cream, and sugar that is gently baked until set
Example: The baked custard was firm enough to hold its shape but still very soft.
🇫🇷 French: Crème aux œufs cuite au four
🇩🇪 German: Gebackene Eiercreme
🇮🇹 Italian: Crema cotta al forno
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Creme de ovos assado
💡 Nuance: Gentle baking prevents the eggs from curdling and helps produce a smooth texture.
a custard mixture of eggs, milk or cream, and sugar that is gently baked until set
Example: The baked custard was firm enough to hold its shape but still very soft.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Natilla horneada🇫🇷 French: Crème aux œufs cuite au four
🇩🇪 German: Gebackene Eiercreme
🇮🇹 Italian: Crema cotta al forno
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Creme de ovos assado
💡 Nuance: Gentle baking prevents the eggs from curdling and helps produce a smooth texture.
🥛 Egg Custard
a general custard based on eggs and milk or cream, usually sweetened and gently cooked
Example: The egg custard thickened as the eggs set in the warm milk mixture.
🇫🇷 French: Crème aux œufs
🇩🇪 German: Eiercreme
🇮🇹 Italian: Crema all'uovo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Creme de ovos
💡 Nuance: Egg custard is a broad term. Baked custard, crème brûlée, crème caramel, and many tart fillings are all related egg-custard preparations.
a general custard based on eggs and milk or cream, usually sweetened and gently cooked
Example: The egg custard thickened as the eggs set in the warm milk mixture.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Crema de huevo🇫🇷 French: Crème aux œufs
🇩🇪 German: Eiercreme
🇮🇹 Italian: Crema all'uovo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Creme de ovos
💡 Nuance: Egg custard is a broad term. Baked custard, crème brûlée, crème caramel, and many tart fillings are all related egg-custard preparations.
🔥 Crème Brûlée
a rich baked custard topped with sugar that is caramelized into a thin, hard crust
Example: She cracked the caramelized sugar on top of the crème brûlée with her spoon.
🇫🇷 French: Crème brûlée
🇩🇪 German: Crème brûlée
🇮🇹 Italian: Crème brûlée
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Crème brûlée
💡 Nuance: The defining feature is the hard caramelized sugar layer on top, not caramel sauce underneath.
a rich baked custard topped with sugar that is caramelized into a thin, hard crust
Example: She cracked the caramelized sugar on top of the crème brûlée with her spoon.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Crème brûlée / crema quemada🇫🇷 French: Crème brûlée
🇩🇪 German: Crème brûlée
🇮🇹 Italian: Crème brûlée
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Crème brûlée
💡 Nuance: The defining feature is the hard caramelized sugar layer on top, not caramel sauce underneath.
🍮 Crème Caramel
a baked custard cooked over caramel and inverted so the liquid caramel becomes a sauce on top
Example: The crème caramel was turned out of its mold with caramel sauce flowing over the top.
🇫🇷 French: Crème caramel
🇩🇪 German: Karamellcreme
🇮🇹 Italian: Crème caramel
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de caramelo
💡 Nuance: Crème caramel has soft caramel sauce, while crème brûlée has a brittle caramelized sugar crust.
a baked custard cooked over caramel and inverted so the liquid caramel becomes a sauce on top
Example: The crème caramel was turned out of its mold with caramel sauce flowing over the top.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Flan / crema de caramelo🇫🇷 French: Crème caramel
🇩🇪 German: Karamellcreme
🇮🇹 Italian: Crème caramel
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim de caramelo
💡 Nuance: Crème caramel has soft caramel sauce, while crème brûlée has a brittle caramelized sugar crust.
🍮 Flan
a caramel-topped baked custard common in Spanish, Latin American, and other culinary traditions
Example: The flan slid out of the mold with caramel syrup around it.
🇫🇷 French: Flan
🇩🇪 German: Flan
🇮🇹 Italian: Flan
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim / flan
💡 Nuance: In many English-speaking contexts, flan refers to a caramel custard very similar to crème caramel, although the word can have other meanings in some cuisines.
a caramel-topped baked custard common in Spanish, Latin American, and other culinary traditions
Example: The flan slid out of the mold with caramel syrup around it.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Flan🇫🇷 French: Flan
🇩🇪 German: Flan
🇮🇹 Italian: Flan
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pudim / flan
💡 Nuance: In many English-speaking contexts, flan refers to a caramel custard very similar to crème caramel, although the word can have other meanings in some cuisines.
🍫 Pots de Crème
small servings of rich French custard baked and served in individual cups or pots
Example: The chocolate pots de crème were served in small ceramic cups.
🇫🇷 French: Pots de crème
🇩🇪 German: Pots de Crème
🇮🇹 Italian: Pots de crème
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pots de crème
💡 Nuance: Pots de crème are generally richer and denser than a pourable custard sauce.
small servings of rich French custard baked and served in individual cups or pots
Example: The chocolate pots de crème were served in small ceramic cups.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Pots de crème / crema francesa🇫🇷 French: Pots de crème
🇩🇪 German: Pots de Crème
🇮🇹 Italian: Pots de crème
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pots de crème
💡 Nuance: Pots de crème are generally richer and denser than a pourable custard sauce.
🥄 Custard Creams, Sauces & Regional Styles
🥐 Pastry Cream
a thick cooked custard made with milk, eggs, sugar, and starch and used as a pastry filling
Example: The baker piped pastry cream into the cooled pastry shells.
🇫🇷 French: Crème pâtissière
🇩🇪 German: Konditorcreme
🇮🇹 Italian: Crema pasticcera
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Creme de confeiteiro
💡 Nuance: The added starch makes pastry cream thick enough to hold inside tarts, éclairs, cakes, and other pastries.
a thick cooked custard made with milk, eggs, sugar, and starch and used as a pastry filling
Example: The baker piped pastry cream into the cooled pastry shells.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Crema pastelera🇫🇷 French: Crème pâtissière
🇩🇪 German: Konditorcreme
🇮🇹 Italian: Crema pasticcera
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Creme de confeiteiro
💡 Nuance: The added starch makes pastry cream thick enough to hold inside tarts, éclairs, cakes, and other pastries.
🥄 Crème Anglaise
a thin, pourable vanilla custard sauce made from milk or cream, egg yolks, and sugar
Example: The warm cake was served with crème anglaise poured around it.
🇫🇷 French: Crème anglaise
🇩🇪 German: Englische Creme
🇮🇹 Italian: Crema inglese
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Creme inglês
💡 Nuance: Crème anglaise should remain pourable. It is much thinner than pastry cream.
a thin, pourable vanilla custard sauce made from milk or cream, egg yolks, and sugar
Example: The warm cake was served with crème anglaise poured around it.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Crema inglesa🇫🇷 French: Crème anglaise
🇩🇪 German: Englische Creme
🇮🇹 Italian: Crema inglese
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Creme inglês
💡 Nuance: Crème anglaise should remain pourable. It is much thinner than pastry cream.
🇮🇹 Zabaglione
an Italian foamy custard made by whisking egg yolks and sugar over gentle heat, traditionally with wine
Example: The zabaglione became light and foamy as the yolks were whisked over gentle heat.
🇫🇷 French: Sabayon
🇩🇪 German: Zabaglione
🇮🇹 Italian: Zabaglione
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Zabaione
💡 Nuance: Zabaglione is aerated by whisking, giving it a lighter and foamier texture than most baked custards.
an Italian foamy custard made by whisking egg yolks and sugar over gentle heat, traditionally with wine
Example: The zabaglione became light and foamy as the yolks were whisked over gentle heat.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Zabaglione / sabayón🇫🇷 French: Sabayon
🇩🇪 German: Zabaglione
🇮🇹 Italian: Zabaglione
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Zabaione
💡 Nuance: Zabaglione is aerated by whisking, giving it a lighter and foamier texture than most baked custards.
🇪🇸 Natillas
a Spanish-style soft custard dessert commonly flavored with cinnamon, vanilla, or citrus
Example: The natillas were served chilled with cinnamon sprinkled on top.
🇫🇷 French: Natillas / crème espagnole
🇩🇪 German: Natillas
🇮🇹 Italian: Natillas
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Natillas
💡 Nuance: Natillas are generally softer and more spoonable than an unmolded flan.
a Spanish-style soft custard dessert commonly flavored with cinnamon, vanilla, or citrus
Example: The natillas were served chilled with cinnamon sprinkled on top.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Natillas🇫🇷 French: Natillas / crème espagnole
🇩🇪 German: Natillas
🇮🇹 Italian: Natillas
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Natillas
💡 Nuance: Natillas are generally softer and more spoonable than an unmolded flan.
🍦 Frozen Custard
a frozen dairy dessert made with egg yolks in addition to milk or cream and sugar
Example: The frozen custard was especially dense and creamy because of the egg yolks.
🇫🇷 French: Crème glacée aux œufs
🇩🇪 German: Gefrorene Eiercreme
🇮🇹 Italian: Crema gelata all'uovo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Creme congelado com ovos
💡 Nuance: Frozen custard resembles ice cream but is specifically associated with the use of egg yolks and a dense, creamy texture.
a frozen dairy dessert made with egg yolks in addition to milk or cream and sugar
Example: The frozen custard was especially dense and creamy because of the egg yolks.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Crema helada de huevo🇫🇷 French: Crème glacée aux œufs
🇩🇪 German: Gefrorene Eiercreme
🇮🇹 Italian: Crema gelata all'uovo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Creme congelado com ovos
💡 Nuance: Frozen custard resembles ice cream but is specifically associated with the use of egg yolks and a dense, creamy texture.
🥧 Custard-Based & Related Desserts
🥧 Custard Tart
a pastry shell filled with baked egg-and-dairy custard
Example: The custard tart had a crisp shell and a softly set filling.
🇫🇷 French: Tarte au flan
🇩🇪 German: Eiercremetarte
🇮🇹 Italian: Crostata alla crema d'uovo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Tarte de creme de ovos
💡 Nuance: Custard tart refers to the combination of pastry shell plus baked custard filling.
a pastry shell filled with baked egg-and-dairy custard
Example: The custard tart had a crisp shell and a softly set filling.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Tarta de crema de huevo🇫🇷 French: Tarte au flan
🇩🇪 German: Eiercremetarte
🇮🇹 Italian: Crostata alla crema d'uovo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Tarte de creme de ovos
💡 Nuance: Custard tart refers to the combination of pastry shell plus baked custard filling.
🍒 Clafoutis
a French baked dessert in which fruit, traditionally cherries, is baked in a soft batter that sets somewhere between custard and cake
Example: The cherry clafoutis had a soft custard-like center around the fruit.
🇫🇷 French: Clafoutis
🇩🇪 German: Clafoutis
🇮🇹 Italian: Clafoutis
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Clafoutis
💡 Nuance: Clafoutis is not a plain custard. Flour in the batter gives it more structure than crème caramel or baked custard.
a French baked dessert in which fruit, traditionally cherries, is baked in a soft batter that sets somewhere between custard and cake
Example: The cherry clafoutis had a soft custard-like center around the fruit.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Clafoutis🇫🇷 French: Clafoutis
🇩🇪 German: Clafoutis
🇮🇹 Italian: Clafoutis
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Clafoutis
💡 Nuance: Clafoutis is not a plain custard. Flour in the batter gives it more structure than crème caramel or baked custard.
🤍 Blancmange
a molded milk-based dessert thickened with starch or another setting ingredient and traditionally flavored with almonds or vanilla
Example: The blancmange held its molded shape after it was turned onto the plate.
🇫🇷 French: Blanc-manger
🇩🇪 German: Blancmange
🇮🇹 Italian: Biancomangiare
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Manjar branco
💡 Nuance: Blancmange resembles custard in appearance but is commonly set with starch or another thickener rather than relying mainly on eggs.
a molded milk-based dessert thickened with starch or another setting ingredient and traditionally flavored with almonds or vanilla
Example: The blancmange held its molded shape after it was turned onto the plate.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Manjar blanco / blancmange🇫🇷 French: Blanc-manger
🇩🇪 German: Blancmange
🇮🇹 Italian: Biancomangiare
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Manjar branco
💡 Nuance: Blancmange resembles custard in appearance but is commonly set with starch or another thickener rather than relying mainly on eggs.
🧠 Useful Distinctions
🥣 Pudding vs. Custard
In American English, pudding often means a soft dessert thickened with starch. Custard relies mainly on eggs for thickening. British English uses pudding much more broadly for many desserts.
In American English, pudding often means a soft dessert thickened with starch. Custard relies mainly on eggs for thickening. British English uses pudding much more broadly for many desserts.
🍫 Chocolate Pudding vs. Baked Custard
Chocolate pudding is usually cooked on the stove and thickened with starch, eggs, or both. Baked custard sets gently in the oven because of its egg content.
Chocolate pudding is usually cooked on the stove and thickened with starch, eggs, or both. Baked custard sets gently in the oven because of its egg content.
🍚 Rice Pudding vs. Kheer
Rice pudding is the broad international category. Kheer is a South Asian tradition commonly made by slowly cooking rice and milk with sugar and aromatic ingredients such as cardamom.
Rice pudding is the broad international category. Kheer is a South Asian tradition commonly made by slowly cooking rice and milk with sugar and aromatic ingredients such as cardamom.
⚪ Tapioca Pudding vs. Sago Pudding
Both contain small translucent starch pearls. Tapioca traditionally comes from cassava, while sago traditionally comes from palm starch.
Both contain small translucent starch pearls. Tapioca traditionally comes from cassava, while sago traditionally comes from palm starch.
🍌 Banana Pudding vs. Banana-Flavored Pudding
Banana pudding commonly means the American layered dessert of bananas, vanilla pudding or custard, and cookies. A simple banana-flavored pudding does not necessarily have those layers.
Banana pudding commonly means the American layered dessert of bananas, vanilla pudding or custard, and cookies. A simple banana-flavored pudding does not necessarily have those layers.
🍞 Bread Pudding vs. Sticky Toffee Pudding
Bread pudding is made from bread soaked in an egg-and-milk mixture. Sticky toffee pudding is a moist date cake served with toffee sauce.
Bread pudding is made from bread soaked in an egg-and-milk mixture. Sticky toffee pudding is a moist date cake served with toffee sauce.
🎄 Christmas Pudding vs. Creamy Pudding
Christmas pudding is a dense steamed or boiled fruit dessert. It bears little resemblance in texture to creamy American-style vanilla or chocolate pudding.
Christmas pudding is a dense steamed or boiled fruit dessert. It bears little resemblance in texture to creamy American-style vanilla or chocolate pudding.
🔥 Crème Brûlée vs. 🍮 Crème Caramel
Crème brûlée has a hard caramelized sugar crust on top. Crème caramel is baked over caramel and inverted so a soft caramel sauce flows over the custard.
Crème brûlée has a hard caramelized sugar crust on top. Crème caramel is baked over caramel and inverted so a soft caramel sauce flows over the custard.
🍮 Flan vs. Crème Caramel
In many contexts, these terms describe very similar caramel custards. Flan is especially common in Spanish and Latin American food vocabulary, while crème caramel is the French name.
In many contexts, these terms describe very similar caramel custards. Flan is especially common in Spanish and Latin American food vocabulary, while crème caramel is the French name.
🥐 Pastry Cream vs. Crème Anglaise
Pastry cream contains starch and is thick enough to pipe into pastries. Crème anglaise is a thin, pourable custard sauce.
Pastry cream contains starch and is thick enough to pipe into pastries. Crème anglaise is a thin, pourable custard sauce.
🇮🇹 Zabaglione vs. Baked Custard
Zabaglione is whisked over gentle heat until light and foamy. Baked custard is poured into a dish and allowed to set in the oven.
Zabaglione is whisked over gentle heat until light and foamy. Baked custard is poured into a dish and allowed to set in the oven.
🇪🇸 Natillas vs. Flan
Natillas are usually soft and spoonable. Flan is firmer, molded, and usually inverted onto a plate with caramel sauce.
Natillas are usually soft and spoonable. Flan is firmer, molded, and usually inverted onto a plate with caramel sauce.
🍦 Frozen Custard vs. Ordinary Custard
Frozen custard is churned and frozen like an ice-cream-style dessert. Ordinary custard may be baked, stirred, poured as a sauce, or used as a filling.
Frozen custard is churned and frozen like an ice-cream-style dessert. Ordinary custard may be baked, stirred, poured as a sauce, or used as a filling.
🍒 Clafoutis vs. Baked Custard
Clafoutis contains fruit and flour, giving it a texture between custard and cake. A simple baked custard normally contains no flour.
Clafoutis contains fruit and flour, giving it a texture between custard and cake. A simple baked custard normally contains no flour.
🤍 Blancmange vs. Egg Custard
Blancmange is usually set with starch or another thickener. Egg custard depends primarily on eggs for thickening.
Blancmange is usually set with starch or another thickener. Egg custard depends primarily on eggs for thickening.
🌽 Corn Pudding vs. Dessert Pudding
Corn pudding is often served as a savory or lightly sweet side dish. Its name demonstrates that the word pudding does not always mean a dessert.
Corn pudding is often served as a savory or lightly sweet side dish. Its name demonstrates that the word pudding does not always mean a dessert.
💬 Everyday Pudding & Custard Phrases
🔥 It's crème brûlée, so the caramel should crack when you tap it with a spoon.
identifying crème brûlée by its brittle caramelized sugar topping
🇫🇷 C'est une crème brûlée, donc le caramel doit craquer quand on le tapote avec une cuillère.
🇩🇪 Es ist Crème brûlée, also sollte die Karamellschicht knacken, wenn man mit einem Löffel darauf klopft.
🇮🇹 È crème brûlée, quindi il caramello dovrebbe rompersi quando lo tocchi con un cucchiaio.
🇵🇹 É crème brûlée, então o caramelo deve quebrar quando você bater nele com uma colher.
identifying crème brûlée by its brittle caramelized sugar topping
Show translations
🇪🇸 Es crème brûlée, así que el caramelo debería romperse cuando lo golpees con una cuchara.🇫🇷 C'est une crème brûlée, donc le caramel doit craquer quand on le tapote avec une cuillère.
🇩🇪 Es ist Crème brûlée, also sollte die Karamellschicht knacken, wenn man mit einem Löffel darauf klopft.
🇮🇹 È crème brûlée, quindi il caramello dovrebbe rompersi quando lo tocchi con un cucchiaio.
🇵🇹 É crème brûlée, então o caramelo deve quebrar quando você bater nele com uma colher.
🥐 This custard is pastry cream, so it's thick enough to stay inside the pastry.
distinguishing a thick pastry filling from a pourable custard sauce
🇫🇷 Cette crème est une crème pâtissière, donc elle est assez épaisse pour rester dans la pâtisserie.
🇩🇪 Diese Creme ist Konditorcreme, also ist sie dick genug, um im Gebäck zu bleiben.
🇮🇹 Questa crema è crema pasticcera, quindi è abbastanza densa da restare dentro il dolce.
🇵🇹 Este creme é creme de confeiteiro, então é espesso o bastante para ficar dentro do doce.
distinguishing a thick pastry filling from a pourable custard sauce
Show translations
🇪🇸 Esta crema es crema pastelera, así que es lo bastante espesa para quedarse dentro del pastel.🇫🇷 Cette crème est une crème pâtissière, donc elle est assez épaisse pour rester dans la pâtisserie.
🇩🇪 Diese Creme ist Konditorcreme, also ist sie dick genug, um im Gebäck zu bleiben.
🇮🇹 Questa crema è crema pasticcera, quindi è abbastanza densa da restare dentro il dolce.
🇵🇹 Este creme é creme de confeiteiro, então é espesso o bastante para ficar dentro do doce.
🍞 Sticky toffee pudding sounds like a creamy pudding, but it's actually a moist cake served with toffee sauce.
showing how broadly the word “pudding” is used in British dessert vocabulary
🇫🇷 Sticky toffee pudding peut faire penser à un pudding crémeux, mais c'est en réalité un gâteau moelleux servi avec une sauce au toffee.
🇩🇪 Sticky Toffee Pudding klingt wie ein cremiger Pudding, ist aber eigentlich ein saftiger Kuchen mit Toffeesoße.
🇮🇹 Sticky toffee pudding sembra un budino cremoso, ma in realtà è una torta umida servita con salsa al toffee.
🇵🇹 Sticky toffee pudding parece um pudim cremoso, mas na verdade é um bolo úmido servido com molho de toffee.
showing how broadly the word “pudding” is used in British dessert vocabulary
Show translations
🇪🇸 Sticky toffee pudding suena como un pudín cremoso, pero en realidad es un pastel húmedo servido con salsa de toffee.🇫🇷 Sticky toffee pudding peut faire penser à un pudding crémeux, mais c'est en réalité un gâteau moelleux servi avec une sauce au toffee.
🇩🇪 Sticky Toffee Pudding klingt wie ein cremiger Pudding, ist aber eigentlich ein saftiger Kuchen mit Toffeesoße.
🇮🇹 Sticky toffee pudding sembra un budino cremoso, ma in realtà è una torta umida servita con salsa al toffee.
🇵🇹 Sticky toffee pudding parece um pudim cremoso, mas na verdade é um bolo úmido servido com molho de toffee.
🍮 Flan and crème caramel are very similar: both are baked custards served with soft caramel sauce.
recognizing two closely related caramel-custard terms
🇫🇷 Le flan et la crème caramel sont très similaires : ce sont deux crèmes cuites servies avec du caramel liquide.
🇩🇪 Flan und Crème caramel sind sich sehr ähnlich: Beide sind gebackene Eiercremes mit weicher Karamellsoße.
🇮🇹 Il flan e la crème caramel sono molto simili: entrambi sono creme cotte servite con salsa al caramello morbida.
🇵🇹 Flan e crème caramel são muito parecidos: ambos são cremes assados servidos com calda de caramelo.
recognizing two closely related caramel-custard terms
Show translations
🇪🇸 El flan y la crème caramel son muy parecidos: ambos son cremas horneadas servidas con caramelo líquido.🇫🇷 Le flan et la crème caramel sont très similaires : ce sont deux crèmes cuites servies avec du caramel liquide.
🇩🇪 Flan und Crème caramel sind sich sehr ähnlich: Beide sind gebackene Eiercremes mit weicher Karamellsoße.
🇮🇹 Il flan e la crème caramel sono molto simili: entrambi sono creme cotte servite con salsa al caramello morbida.
🇵🇹 Flan e crème caramel são muito parecidos: ambos são cremes assados servidos com calda de caramelo.
🏆 Final Practice
English in the Real World:
Imagine you are reading a dessert menu, bakery description, or recipe. Choose the pudding or custard term that best matches the texture, ingredients, cooking method, or serving style.
Imagine you are reading a dessert menu, bakery description, or recipe. Choose the pudding or custard term that best matches the texture, ingredients, cooking method, or serving style.
Question 1 of 8
✅ Correct: 0
❓ Questions: 0
🎯 Accuracy: 0%