Baked Pumpkin Custard with Maple Syrup and Pumpkin Seeds

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Pumpkin puree, eggs and cream make a gently baked pumpkin custard. Cinnamon^* and vanilla flavor the custard; maple syrup and pumpkin seeds^* finish each serving.

Serves 4 · Prep: 15 minutes · Bake: 35–45 minutes · Cool: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 300 g (about 1¼ cups) unsweetened pumpkin puree
• 2 eggs
• 200 ml (about ¾ cup plus 1 tbsp) heavy cream
• 3 tbsp maple syrup, plus 1 tbsp for serving
• 1 tsp vanilla extract^*
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon^*
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 tbsp shelled pumpkin seeds^*

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C / 325°F. Place four oven-safe ramekins in a deep baking dish.
2. Whisk the pumpkin puree with the eggs, cream, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, vanilla extract^*, cinnamon^* and salt until smooth. Divide among the ramekins.
3. Carefully pour hot water into the baking dish until it reaches halfway up the ramekins. Bake for 35–45 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers have a slight wobble. The centers must reach at least 71°C / 160°F.
4. Carefully remove the ramekins from the water bath and cool for 20 minutes. For a chilled dessert, cover and refrigerate afterward.
5. Toast the pumpkin seeds^* in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes. To serve, divide the remaining 1 tablespoon maple syrup and pumpkin seeds^* among the four ramekins.

Allergens: Contains egg and milk. Check packages for other allergens and traces. Cool leftovers promptly and refrigerate.

An individual pumpkin dessert for autumn meals

This pumpkin custard suits anyone who enjoys a soft, spoonable dessert without a pastry crust. Individual ramekins make it easy to serve after a relaxed autumn dinner. The contrast between the silky filling and its crunchy topping gives the dessert texture without making it heavy to assemble.

Why bake custard in a water bath?

The water bath moderates the heat around the ramekins so the egg mixture sets more evenly. Whisk gently to avoid incorporating excess air, and follow both the stated center temperature and the texture cues. Set the ramekins inside the larger dish before adding the hot water, keeping movement to a minimum afterward.