Iris Bakery — Thomas Edward's Baked Custard with Lemon Myrtle and Quince Butter

A silky baked custard infused with fragrant lemon myrtle and real vanilla, layered over a tangy-sweet quince butter for depth and richness

For Baked in Mud, we’re delighted to feature Iris the Bakery, a family-run Brunswick favourite inspired by Copenhagen pastry culture. Founded by Tom and Betty, and named after their daughter, Iris has quickly become known for its seasonal, thoughtful baking.

They’ve shared their Baked Custard with Lemon Myrtle and Quince Butter, a silky baked custard infused with fragrant lemon myrtle and real vanilla, layered over a tangy-sweet quince butter for depth and richness

Custard Ingredients

Eggs – 4 large

Egg yolks – 4 large

Raw sugar – 185 g / 6.5 oz / ¾ cup

Salt – 0.5 tsp / 2 g

Vanilla bean – 1

Milk – 750 ml / 25.4 fl oz / 3 cups

Cream – 250 ml / 8.5 fl oz / 1 cup

Custard Method

  1. Place the milk and cream in a medium pot and scrape in the seeds from the vanilla bean.
  2. Bring the mixture to a scald (about 95 °C), then allow it to cool slightly.
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and salt. Gradually pour the tempered milk mixture over the top, mixing gently until homogenous. Set aside.


Quince Butter Ingredients

Quinces – 2 kg / 4 lb 6 oz

Water – 300 ml / 10 fl oz / 1 ¼ cups

Vinegar – 150 ml / 5 fl oz / ⅔ cup

Raw sugar – 100 g / 3.5 oz / ½ cup

Quince Butter

  1. Peel and quarter the quinces, removing the cores and peels. Place the fruit in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan with the water and vinegar.
  2. Cook over medium heat for about 2 hours, until the quinces are falling apart. Purée in a food processor or pass through a food mill.
  3. Spread the purée into a large baking dish and dry in the oven at 100–120 °C for 4–6 hours, until it reaches the texture of tomato paste. Purée the mixture again until smooth, then set aside.

Quince Caramel Ingredients

Raw sugar – 500 g / 17.6 oz / 2 ½ cups

Water – 700 ml / 23.7 fl oz / 3 cups

Lemon myrtle leaves – 8 leaves

Quince Caramel

  1. Take the cores and peels from the quinces, rinse well and place in a medium pot with sugar and water. Cook over a low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring regularly, until you have a syrupy caramel, strain off peels and leaves and allow to cool.

Assemble

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 150°C

  1. In the Oval Baker, spread a 1 cm layer of quince butter and refrigerate until cold.
  2. Pour the custard mixture over the top and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until set but still slightly wobbly in the centre.
  3. Allow to cool completely before pouring the quince caramel over the top. Serve.