custard cup: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowDomestic, Culinary
Quick answer
What does “custard cup” mean?
A small, heatproof cup or dish, typically ceramic or porcelain, used for baking individual portions of custard or other desserts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, heatproof cup or dish, typically ceramic or porcelain, used for baking individual portions of custard or other desserts.
Can also refer to: 1) A standardized measurement cup (typically 6-8 oz) in North American recipes, originally named after the dish it fits; 2) Any small, lidded ceramic pot used for serving condiments like jam.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'custard cup' is less common as a term for the baking dish; 'ramekin' is preferred. In the US, 'custard cup' is the standard term for the specific small, straight-sided baking cup and as a unit of measure.
Connotations
UK: Slightly old-fashioned or specifically for egg custard. US: Standard kitchenware term with practical, recipe-specific associations.
Frequency
More frequent in US English, particularly in written recipes. Rare in modern UK domestic talk.
Grammar
How to Use “custard cup” in a Sentence
[bake/prepare] + [dessert] + in + a custard cup[recipe] + calls for + a custard cup + of + [ingredient][grease/butter] + the custard cupsVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
May appear in historical or material culture studies of domestic life.
Everyday
Used in home cooking, recipe discussions, and kitchenware shopping.
Technical
Used in culinary arts and recipe writing to specify dish type and measurement.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “custard cup”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “custard cup”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “custard cup”
- Using 'cup' alone in a recipe, causing ambiguity with the standard 8-oz measuring cup.
- Confusing 'custard cup' (straight-sided) with a 'teacup' (sloped sides) for baking.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In contemporary usage, especially in the US, they are often used interchangeably for the baking dish. Traditionally, a custard cup might be slightly taller and straighter-sided than some ramekins, but the distinction is minimal.
Not for baking. Most teacups are not ovenproof and may crack. The thick ceramic of a proper custard cup distributes heat evenly for cooking the custard.
Primarily in older US recipes, it refers to the volume of the small baking dish itself, typically 6 to 8 US fluid ounces (approx. 180-240 ml). It is not the same as a standard 8-oz 'cup' measure.
In kitchenware stores, department stores, or online retailers, often sold in sets. Look in the baking section for 'ramekins' or 'custard cups'.
A small, heatproof cup or dish, typically ceramic or porcelain, used for baking individual portions of custard or other desserts.
Custard cup is usually domestic, culinary in register.
Custard cup: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌs.təd ˌkʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌs.tɚd ˌkʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. It is a literal compound noun.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of CUSTARD needing its own special little CUP to set in the oven.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER FOR A SPECIFIC CONTENT (The form defines the function).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'custard cup' most likely to be used in American English?