Custard is a variety of culinary preparations based on a cooked mixture of
milk or
cream and
egg yolk. Depending on how much egg or thickener is used, custard may vary in consistency from a thin pouring
sauce (
crème anglaise) to a thick pastry cream (
crème pâtissière) used to fill
éclairs. Most common custards are used as
desserts or dessert
sauces and typically include
sugar and
vanilla. Custard bases may also be used for
quiches and other savory foods. Sometimes
flour,
corn starch, or
gelatin is added as in pastry cream or
crème pâtissière.