2025.09.15

【Custard Comparison ①】Dutch Grandpa’s Vla (Vegan Option Available)

Emika

Contents

Vla in a Nutshell

Norio

Wait…What is “vla”?

Emika

In a nutshell, “vla” is a signature Dutch dairy dessert similar to custard.

I’ve only tried the industrial one from Campina, presumably the most well-known vla brand in the Netherlands.

There are multiple flavors out there, but vanilla is the most standard.

From that experience, I would describe it as “drinkable creamy pudding” as it was more fluid and pourable compared to regular custard pudding.

But I’ve never tasted homemade vla before.

Emika

So I asked my Dutch grandpa (in-law, nearly) for his recipe to compare with my Japanese mom’s go-to custard. Thanks Opa!

500 ml milk
- Plant-based alternative: soy milk, which I used, or any of your preference.
4 egg yolks
- Plant-based alternative: 60 g cornstarch
30 g sugar
1 vanilla pod (or 15 ml vanilla extract, which I used instead)

Beat the egg yolks with the sugar until frothy.
Split the vanilla pod. Scrape out the seeds with the back of a knife and add them to the milk along with the empty pod.
Bring the milk to a gentle boil (be careful not to boil too much if you use soy milk), then remove the vanilla pod.
Slowly pour the hot milk into the beaten eggs while stirring continuously.
Place the mixture in a hot water bath and stir continuously until it thickens. DO NOT let it boil!
Let it cool down, and put it into a fridge.
Eet smakelijk! (= Enjoy your meal!)

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