Is There Any Sugar in Custard Powder?

November 5, 2025 •

3 min read

Despite its famously sweet flavor when prepared, many commercially available custard powders contain little to no sugar in their dry, powdered form. This surprising fact means the sweetness of the final dish is almost entirely dependent on the amount of sugar added during preparation.

Quick Summary

The sugar content of custard powder itself is surprisingly minimal, with many brands having none. The final sweetness of the dessert is controlled by the user, who adds sugar and milk during cooking. This provides flexibility for managing sugar intake and creating healthier, customized versions.

Key Points

Low Sugar Content: Most commercial custard powders contain very little or no sugar in their dry form; the sweetness is added when it is prepared.
Control Your Sweetness: Because you add the sugar yourself, you have complete control over the final sweetness, allowing for healthier, customized recipes.
Main Ingredient is Cornstarch: The primary component responsible for thickening is cornstarch, which is neutral in flavor and naturally sugar-free.
Not Interchangeable with Cornstarch: While cornstarch is the base, custard powder also contains flavorings and colorings, making them distinct products.
Healthy Alternative: Use sugar substitutes, less sweetener, or naturally sweet ingredients to create a healthier, low-sugar version of custard.
Read the Label: Always check the nutrition label of your specific product, as formulations can differ between brands.

Understanding the Truth About Custard Powder

Many people assume that because custard is a sweet dessert, the powder used to make it must be full of sugar. The reality, however, is that for many brands, the dry custard powder contains primarily a thickening agent, like cornstarch, along with flavorings and colorings. The sugar is an ingredient that the home cook adds separately when preparing the dish.

This distinction is crucial for those watching their sugar intake, managing diabetes, or simply trying to control the nutritional content of their food. By controlling the amount and type of sweetener used, you can dramatically alter the health profile of your custard.

The Core Components of Custard Powder

At its heart, custard powder is a convenient, shelf-stable dessert base. The ingredients are designed to be mixed with liquid and heated to create a smooth, creamy texture. The primary components generally include:

Thickening Agent: Cornstarch is the most common and essential ingredient, responsible for giving the custard its thick, pudding-like consistency when heated.
Flavoring: Vanilla is the classic flavor, but many other varieties exist. These are often synthetic nature-identical flavouring substances.
Coloring: A yellow food coloring, such as annatto or turmeric extract, is added to give the custard its signature yellow hue, mimicking the color of traditional egg-based custard.
Other Additives: Some brands may include stabilizers, emulsifiers, or anti-caking agents to improve texture and shelf-life.

Custard Powder vs. Cornstarch: What's the Difference?

Since the main ingredient in custard powder is cornstarch, you might wonder if they are interchangeable. While they are similar in their thickening function, they are not identical. Here is a comparison to illustrate the differences:


Feature	Custard Powder	Cornstarch (Cornflour)
Primary Function	A ready-to-use dessert mix that thickens, flavors, and colors a dish in one step.	A flavorless, colorless thickening agent for sauces, gravies, and soups.
Ingredients	Cornstarch, flavoring (e.g., vanilla), coloring, and sometimes salt.	100% pure cornstarch derived from corn.
Taste	Flavored, typically vanilla.	Neutral, tasteless.
Color	Yellow due to added food coloring.	White.
Flexibility	Less flexible, as flavor and color are set.	Highly versatile, allowing for complete control over flavor, sweetness, and color.
Application	Specifically for making custard and similar desserts.	Broad range of culinary applications beyond just desserts.

How to Control Sugar in Your Custard

The flexibility of preparing custard from powder puts you in control of the sweetness. Here are some ways to manage the sugar content:

Use Sugar Alternatives: Substitute traditional granulated sugar with non-caloric or alternative sweeteners such as stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol to reduce the overall carbohydrate load.
Reduce the Amount: Simply use less sugar than the packet suggests. Gradually reduce the amount over time to adjust your palate. Many recipes can taste just as delicious with significantly less sweetener.
Naturally Sweeten: Instead of added sugars, use naturally sweet additions. Fruits like bananas, berries, or pureed dates can add sweetness and complexity without relying on refined sugar.
Opt for Unsweetened Mixes: Some brands, like Edmonds, explicitly state that their custard powder contains zero added sugar, allowing for complete control over the final product. Checking the nutrition label is key.

The Health Implications

By making mindful choices about your custard, you can turn it into a healthier treat. Standard custard made with whole milk and large amounts of sugar can be high in calories and rapidly increase blood glucose levels. Opting for low-fat or plant-based milk and reducing the added sugar can drastically improve its nutritional profile.

Conclusion

In summary, the sugar in custard is not in the powder itself but is added during preparation. This fact offers a significant opportunity for home cooks to customize their dessert to their specific dietary needs and preferences. By understanding the base ingredients and controlling the added sweeteners, you can enjoy a classic dessert without the high sugar content. Always check the nutrition label of your specific brand, as ingredients can vary, to make the most informed and healthiest choice.

Optional Outbound Link: For more detailed nutritional information on standard custard powder, you can visit the Food Standards Australia New Zealand website(https://afcd.foodstandards.gov.au/fooddetails.aspx?PFKID=F003441).

Frequently Asked Questions

The main ingredient in custard powder is typically cornstarch, which acts as a thickening agent when the powder is cooked with liquid.

Yes, you can make sugar-free custard by using a custard powder that contains no added sugar and substituting traditional sugar with a non-caloric sweetener like stevia or monk fruit when you prepare it.

Custard powder turns yellow because it contains added food coloring, such as annatto or turmeric extract, to mimic the appearance of egg-based custard.

No, while custard powder's main ingredient is cornstarch, it is not the same. Custard powder also includes flavorings and colorings that are not present in plain cornstarch.

Homemade custard powder gives you greater control over the ingredients, allowing you to omit preservatives, artificial flavorings, and added sugars, making it a potentially healthier option.

Yes, you can easily use less sugar than suggested by the recipe. The custard's ability to thicken is not dependent on the sugar content.

The best way to check is to read the nutrition label on the product packaging. The 'Sugars' line under the 'Total Carbohydrate' section will specify the sugar content.