Eggless Custard Cookies aka Custard Shortbread Cookies
What are custard cookies? Crisp, delicious, melt in the mouth shortbread based cookies flavored like vanilla pastry cream. So, that’s what these custard cookies are! This simple and easy recipe uses custard powder which gives you cookies that taste like vanilla pastry cream. Also, this is an eggless recipe that takes less than 15 minutes to make.
I grew up eating these vanilla shortbread cookies flavored with custard powder. And as kids, we use to call them custard cookies. These are eggless and honestly the simplest, quickest cookies you will ever make. Also, no special skills necessary and there are no issues with melting dough. Hence, these cookies are perfect for baking with kids.
As a kid, I could make these from start to finish. Just a bowl and spatula to bring all the ingredients together. Then, we’d roll them into balls – place them on the cookie tray – use a fork to mark the top and voila! Mom would then bake them for 10 mins. Of course, I’d claim that I made these cookies. As a result, mom would call these Veena’s Custard Cookies. Lol! I had the best mom ever!!
What is Custard Powder?
First of all, for those of you that do not know, custard powder is actually flavored pudding powder. It is actually cornstarch/cornflour with flavoring and a hint of yellow food color. Therefore, the flavor always reminds me of vanilla pastry cream, which is made with egg yolks, milk, sugar, and cornstarch. So this custard powder, when cooked in milk or added as an ingredient in cookies, gives you that same flavor. Makes sense?
One of the most famous brands known is this Birds Custard Powder. I read somewhere that it was created by this scientist called Birds. He created it for his wife who was allergic to eggs. And yet, he wanted her to still enjoy her desserts. How sweet is that? She was lucky to have a husband who loves her so much. Don’t you think?
Let’s talk ingredients and substitutes (Save/Pin)
- Custard powder – As I said before, custard powder is actually cornflour/cornstarch with vanilla pastry cream flavoring. So if you can’t find custard powder you can just use cornstarch.
- All-purpose flour – It’s best to use all-purpose flour rather than any other pastry flour so you get a nice crisp, melt in the mouth sensation.
- Butter – I love full flavor butter in this recipe. And yet, if you want you can use margarine or even vegetable shortening. The veg shortening spreads a little more but still tastes good.
- Vanilla – Some custard powders do not have vanilla added. And yet most do. So check the back label and add more or omit as necessary.
Useful Tips and Tools
- I’m not a slave to mixers. And yet, when you need some good creaming I have to insist that you use the K-Mix or Kitchen Aid.
- A good baking tray is always important. So, try using a light-colored baking tray. Another option is to line the baking tray with parchment paper.
- Also, it is really important to cool cookies completely on all sides as soon as they come out of the oven. So take them off the baking tray to prevent them from cooking further and place them on a cooking rack so they air circulates on all sides. This prevents steam from going back into the cookie, thus keeping them crispy not soggy.
- Always bake cookies on the center rack of your oven. And if you have more than one tray simply bake them one at a time. You can bake two trays at the same time, and yet this can lead to some of the cookies in the bottom tray spreading too much. Also, you can rotate the trays during the baking. This is helpful with some cookies.
- Most cookies usually bake between 10 to 12 minutes. Since cookies bake quickly they can also get over-baked. This is due to our tendency to get distracted at the last minute. Hence, my solution is a kitchen timer that is always set to 10 minutes. I turn it on as soon as I place the cookies in the oven. This has saved me many cookies since my kids always keep me busy.
Look at how crisp those are? Can you see?
How to Make Eggless Vanilla Pastry Cream aka Custard Shortbread Cookies (Save/Pin)
- Ensure butter is at room temperature.
- Sift the flour with custard powder, salt, and baking powder.
- Cream the butter and powdered sugar for just a few seconds.
- Add vanilla.
- Followed by the flour mixture.
- Divide the dough into golf size balls.
- Place the balls on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Use a fork to flatten and mark the top.
- If the cookie dough is too dry and cracking – Add one to two tbsp of water and try again.
- Bake cookies in a preheated oven at 180 C / 356 F for about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Cool on a cookie rack completely before you transfer to a cookie jar.
- These can be stored for up to 2 weeks.
Frequently asked questions
These eggless custard cookies will keep in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. You can freeze the dough for up to a month or freeze the cookies for up to three months.
These cookies don’t spread much.
However, too much butter or sugar in the recipe can lead to cookies spreading. Too much baking powder or baking soda can also make cookies spread too much.
Place cookies on a cold, not hot baking pan.
And make sure the oven is at the right temperature.
No, it is not necessary to chill this cookie dough before baking which makes them perfect for last-minute cookies when guests arrive.
You can if you want cinnamon custard cookies. Personally, I like vanilla as the best with custard flavor. I do have a cinnamon sugar cookies though they are no eggless
These cookies have a good shelf life as a dough as well as cookies.
The dough, if wrapped well, can usually stay in the fridge for 5 to 6 days before coating and baking.
You can also place the unbaked cookies on a parchment-lined tray, wrapped well with cling wrap, for about 3 to 4 days.
In addition, this snickerdoodle dough can be frozen for a month or more if covered well.
Yes, you can replace some of the all-purpose flour with almond flour. Or you can try my soft almond sugar cookies however, they are not eggless
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Custard Cookies Aka Custard Shortbread Cookies (Eggless)
Print Pin RateDescription
Equipment /Tools
- Kitchen Scale
Ingredients
- 170 grams (6 oz) Butter
- 65 grams (0.33 cups) Powdered sugar
- 65 grams (3.1 cups) Custard powder
- 220 grams (1.76 cups) All purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) Baking powder
- 1 tsp (1 tsp) Vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) Salt
Instructions
- Ensure butter is room temperature.
- Swift the flour with custard powder, salt, and baking powder.
- Cream the butter and powder sugar for just a few seconds.
- Add vanilla.
- Followed by the flour mixture.
- Divide the dough into small golf size balls.
- Place the balls on a parchment lined, cookie sheet.
- Use a fork to flatten and mark the top.
- If the cookie dough is too dry and cracking – Add one to two tbsp of water and try again.
- Bake cookies in a preheated oven at 180 C / 356 F for about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Cool on a cookie rack completely before you transfer to a cookie jar.
- These can be stored for up to 2 weeks.
Recipe Notes
Recipe Video
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Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
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Loshini
Hey there.. I made it for Deepavali..10 days to go but it finished in a day with my 6 little ones..
Veena Azmanov
Ah Loshini. Glad the kids enjoyed them. My kids are the same. I’m sure you’ll make them again for sure. Thanks for coming back to write this feedback.
john n
Just made these with my 3 yr old granddaughter easy to make taste delicious and great for the kids to join in and learn to bake.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you so much John – So happy to hear that your 3 year old grand daughter enjoyed these cookies. Cookies are definitely a great start to kids in a the kitchen. Mine love to bake cookies too! Thank you for coming back to write this feedback. Appreciate it very much.
JOHN N
JUST MADE THESE DELICIOUS BISCUITS WITH MY THREE YR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER SO EASY TO MAKE AND FUN FOR THE KIDS TO JOIN IN AND BAKE.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you so much John – So happy to hear that your 3 year old grand daughter enjoyed these cookies. Cookies are definitely a great start to kids in a the kitchen. Mine love to bake cookies too! Thank you for coming back to write this feedback. Appreciate it very much.
Rochelle
Can you substitute vanilla pudding powder for the custard powder?
Veena Azmanov
Yes Rochelle.. Vanilla Pudding Powder is the same as Custard powder so yes you can use that as ell.
Rochelle
Thank you!
Ashley - Forking Up
I am a big fan of custard, but have never had it in a cookie form… interesting! I need to try them.
Veena Azmanov
You will love it Ashley! A must try!!
Manila Spoon
I am pinning this as I want to try these yummy cookies and can imagine how perfect they would be with my cup of tea! YUM!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Abi. Yes I think you will love them. They really are so simple and easy to make.
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
Oh, My!! The cookies look so rich and tender. They would make a great addition to a tea party or a nice cookie tray. They are such a dainty morsel. I’d loved to have some as an afternoon treat. I’m saving this recipe.
Veena Azmanov
They totally would Marisa. I Love crisp cookies that disappear in the mouth. Know what I mean? You will love these.
Andrea The Petite Cook
I’m always looking for new cookie recipes to try, and yours look so delish! Gotta give them a try ASAP!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Andrea. Happy to hear that. Let me know if you do try it. Love feedbacks.
Deepika
Custard Powder cookies are new to me and the fact they are eggless makes me love them even more. Saving and trying these soon.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Deepika. They are simple and easy.. making them eggless means you can have them and share them with everyone for me.
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh
Oh my goodness these sound and look so amazing. The buttery and vanilla goodness, perfect cookies!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Joanna. Yes they are definitely buttery and delish.
kaitie
these look amazing! I mean – wow. I am going to keep the recipe on hand for my Christmas cookie exchange because I like to make different styles, and not always do the same standbys!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks Kaitie. Yes absolutely you will love them at Christmas time.
Kylee from Kylee Cooks
I grew up in NZ – and custard powder is a familiar sight for me! I love using it to pour over apple crumbles, or using the powder to make cookies just like this! Great idea, Veena.
Veena Azmanov
I know Kylee ! I love pouring it over crumble too! These are sure yum
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
We LOVE shortbread in this house. I really need to give these a try. I will have to see what kind of custard powder we have here in Canada….I know once these are made they will disappear in a flash.
Veena Azmanov
You must Gloria.. they are super easy to make. The grand kids will have fun for sure
Veronika
These cookies look scrumptious! Love the recipe)
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Veronika
Helene
Your cookies would make perfect afternoon coffee time treats. I bet they would be well received at a family gathering and you made them eggless!
Veena Azmanov
Absolutely Helene – I grew up with this for my afternoon chai. The family sure loves these.
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen
I love shortbread cookies, they are perfect with a nice cup of coffee or glass of milk. Yours look terrific, I wish I could try one now!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Val – Yes these would go great with a cup of milk. I love milk and cookies too.!