Whisk egg yolks with sugar in a bowl until pale and bubbly. Add cornstarch and mix until incorporated.

Heat the milk in a double boiler.

When hot, stir a little of it into the beaten yolk and the sugar, and mix well; then pour the yolk mixture into the hot milk, and continue stirring over low heat until thickened. Don’t allow it to boil as it will scramble your eggs.

Add vanilla extract.

Serve with Bread Pudding, Irish Apple Cake, Sticky Toffee Pudding or Christmas Pudding.