Imagine cracking through a golden, crispy caramel shell to reveal a silky-smooth pumpkin custard that whispers autumn's most decadent secrets. This French-inspired Pumpkin Crème Brûlée isn't just a dessert—it's a sensory experience that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary masterpiece. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a curious home cook, this recipe promises to elevate your dessert game and impress even the most discerning sweet tooth.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 55 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- Additional sugar for caramelizing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Prepare a water bath by placing a large roasting pan filled with about 1 inch of hot water.
- In a medium saucepan, combine heavy cream, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie spice. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth and just begins to simmer. Remove from heat.
- In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks with sugar and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes pale and slightly thickened.
- Slowly pour the warm cream mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking continuously to temper the eggs and prevent curdling.
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to ensure a smooth consistency.
- Divide the mixture evenly among 4 ramekins. Place the ramekins in the prepared water bath.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the custards are set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
- Carefully remove the ramekins from the water bath and let cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Before serving, sprinkle a thin, even layer of sugar on top of each custard.
- Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until it turns golden brown and forms a crisp top. Alternatively, place under a broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Let the caramelized sugar cool and harden for a few minutes before serving. Serve chilled and enjoy the contrasting textures of creamy custard and crisp caramel top.
Tips
- Temperature is Key: Ensure your cream mixture is warm but not boiling when tempering eggs to prevent curdling.
- Strain for Smoothness: Always strain your custard mixture through a fine-mesh sieve for an ultra-smooth texture.
- Water Bath Wisdom: Use hot water in your water bath to help the custards cook evenly and prevent cracking.
- Caramelization Technique: If using a kitchen torch, move it constantly to avoid burning the sugar. For broiler method, watch closely and rotate the dish for even caramelization.
- Chill Time Matters: Allow custards to refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set properly and develop deep flavors.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve immediately after caramelizing to enjoy the contrast between the crisp sugar top and creamy custard.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Cholesterol: 140mg
