Custard, pudding and flan are often served in similar bowls. They all look smooth, creamy and sweet. But once you take a bite, the difference is clear. The texture changes. The taste shifts. Even the way they are made tells a different story.
Whether you are scooping chilled fruit custard at home or trying a caramel flan at a party, it helps to know what sets each one apart. These are not just different names for the same thing. They follow other methods. They use other ingredients. And each one fits a different kind of moment.
With the help of a fast delivery app, you can try all three without much prep. Let’s break down how they stand apart — and which one belongs on your next dessert plate.
Custard: The base of it all
Custard is a mix of milk, eggs or custard powder, and sugar. It is cooked until thick. There are two main types — baked and stirred. Baked custard sets firm. Stirred custard stays soft and creamy.
In India, fruit custard is the most common version. It uses custard powder mixed with milk and sugar. Once it cools, chopped fruits are added. The taste is light and fresh. This version is easy to prepare, and ingredients can be ordered quickly using a fast delivery app.
Custard can also be flavoured with vanilla, saffron or rose. It works well on its own or as a topping for other desserts.
Pudding: Thicker, creamier, and often richer
Pudding looks like custard, but it usually includes a thickener like cornstarch or flour. Some versions also add butter or cream. That makes the texture heavier and smoother.
In the US and other western countries, pudding is a cooked dessert served cold. It does not use eggs. The taste is more dense. The flavour often comes from chocolate, banana or vanilla. It is stirred on the stove and poured into bowls to chill.
Pudding is not typical in Indian homes, but you can still make it with a few easy swaps. If you need cornstarch, cocoa or cream, a fast delivery app can bring them to your door.
Flan: Custard meets caramel
Flan is a baked custard topped with a layer of soft caramel. It is smooth, firm and glossy. The caramel is made by melting sugar until golden, then poured into the mould before the custard mix.
Once baked and cooled, the flan is flipped onto a plate. The caramel flows over the top. The taste is rich but not too sweet. It is often served at dinners and formal events. Some people call it crème caramel.
Making flan takes a bit more time, but it uses simple ingredients — eggs, milk and sugar. If you do not have a mould or fresh milk, use a fast delivery app to complete your list.
One family of desserts. Three distinct dishes.
Custard, pudding and flan may all sit in bowls. But what they bring to the table is very different. One is light and flexible. One is thick and filling. One is glossy and elegant.
Once you know the real difference, you start to enjoy them for what they are — not just what they look like.
From everyday fruit custard to a soft pudding or a rich caramel flan, there is something in this trio for every kind of sweet tooth.
