Vanilla Custard

The birthday boy always requests this homemade vanilla custard for this birthday meal at my house.  This is the ultimate warm fuzzy comfort food dessert.  

1/2 cup sugar

3 T. cornstarch
1/2 t. salt
4 egg yolks lightly beaten
3 cups whole milk
2 T. butter (NO MARGARINE)
2 t. pure vanilla extract

Whisk egg yolks into milk to thoroughly combine. Bring first 5 ingredients to a boil in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly; boil, whisking constantly until thickened.

Remove from heat. Stir in butter and vanilla. Divide into small serving bowls. Enjoy immediately while warm. OR if you prefer, refrigerate until cold. If you refrigerate, place plastic wrap directly against the custard to keep "skin" from forming.