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I used Bird's custard on occasion when we lived in Scotland in the 80s. I was told instant vanilla pudding mix was the equivalent, but it must be by someone who has no taste buds - the 2 taste very, very different to me. The wiki says it was made by someone who's wife was allergic to eggs, so he created an egg-less version of custard. It's great for making fillings for sweets or sauces for fruits, among tons of other things. But when you Google it, all you see is references for ways to use Bird's powder. Surely someone has been able to make a home-made equivalent. Bird's was cheap in Scotland, but it's very pricey in the US (just as canned corn is pricey there & cheap here). If Mr. Bird could make a recipe, why can't someone else?

And if I could e-slap anyone who says vanilla instant pudding is the same, I'd do it. They're NOTHING alike!

Confectioner's sugar is often cut with cornstarch to make it smoother & to aid in thickening icing son gets violently ill if I use cornstarch, so I have to find a way to use granulated sugar instead in icings. It gets pretty tiring having to do fancy icing or go without icing something. Please help!