Fruit cake custard has become a signature dessert in my family. It’s inseparable from my visits with my cousins, we have it at every family dinner at their house, and they are the only relatives I have in the U.S.. Every time I walk in, I can count on finding my aunt in the kitchen, already mixing custard or slicing fruit.

Fruit cake custard is simple, comforting and easy to make, which is why it appears at nearly every family gathering. It requires very little effort, yet always feels special.

The process is straightforward: slice the cake into thin pieces and lay down the first layer. If the cake looks dry, add a little milk, then pour a generous amount of vanilla custard over it. Repeat with another layer of cake, custard and milk if needed. Once the base is set, finish it off with fresh fruit and your choice of toppings.

Fruit cake custard is popular in many Pakistani households, and like most traditional desserts, everyone has their own version. I stick to my aunt’s recipe, topped with apples, bananas, grapes, almonds and coconut powder.

Easy to make and always a hit, fruit cake custard is the perfect dessert when you want something comforting, delicious and slightly on the healthier side.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons  vanilla custard powder (vanilla flavor)
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons cream
• Bananas, grapes, apples (or any fruit you like)- as much as you want
• Homemade cake (any simple sponge cake)
• 1 teaspoon Coconut powder
• Almonds pieces- as many as you want

Instructions:

1. Boil the milk on medium heat for about 30 minutes.
2. Add sugar to taste and stir well.
3. In a small bowl, mix custard powder with a little water (or milk) and make sure its smooth.
4. Slowly pour the custard into the boiling milk. Stir continuously.
5. Cook the custard mixture on medium heat (roughly 400°F) until it becomes thick
6. Once thickened, turn off the heat and let the custard cool for about 10 minutes.
7. Cut grapes, apples, and bananas into small pieces. Cut the cake into thin slices.
8. In a glass rectangular dish, place the first layer of cake slices. Pour a thin layer of milk over the cake to soften it.
9. Add a layer of custard over the milk soaked cake.
10. Put fruit on top.
    Repeat: cake, custard, then fruit, adding a little bit of milk in between if the cake looks dry.
11. Finish with a topping of coconut powder and almonds.