Baked Pumpkin Custard (Easy Recipe) (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Kelsey Smith

Jump to Recipe

Silky and rich baked pumpkin custard is like pumpkin pie without the crust. Serve it with whipped cream and chopped pecans.

This is a perfect fall dessert, flavored with vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and then a little extra cinnamon and ground ginger.

Make this simple ramekin dessert recipe at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or your next holiday gathering. They are perfectly portioned into single-servings for special occasions during the holiday season.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Baked Pumpkin Custard (Easy Recipe) (1)

Recipe highlights

  • Individual dessert cups: This recipe makes four individual pumpkin custard cups.
  • Crustless pumpkin pie: Say goodbye to pie crust! This custard is just like traditional pumpkin pie filling.
  • Fall flavors: Pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla.

More pumpkin recipes to bookmark:

  • Pumpkin Spice Donuts
  • Pumpkin Spice Mug Cake
Jump to:
  • Recipe highlights
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • How to use a water bath
  • Substitutions
  • Dietary considerations
  • Equipment
  • Make it ahead of time
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Ingredients

Baked Pumpkin Custard (Easy Recipe) (2)
  • pumpkin purée: for a delicious pumpkin flavor
  • eggs: for a smooth and rich custard
  • evaporated milk: for a creamy taste
  • light brown sugar:packed
  • pure vanilla extract: for flavor
  • cornstarch: to thicken the custard
  • pumpkin pie spice: a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice
  • salt: for flavor
  • cinnamon: for added cinnamon flavor
  • ground ginger: to boost the ginger flavor
  • whipped cream:optional, to serve
  • chopped pecans:optional, to serve

See the recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Baked Pumpkin Custard (Easy Recipe) (3)

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, eggs, evaporated milk, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.

Baked Pumpkin Custard (Easy Recipe) (4)

The wet pumpkin mixture should be completely smooth.

Baked Pumpkin Custard (Easy Recipe) (5)

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch, spices, and salt. Break up any clumps.

Baked Pumpkin Custard (Easy Recipe) (6)

Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, whisking until well-blended. Tip: Do not let the dry ingredients clump up.

Baked Pumpkin Custard (Easy Recipe) (7)

Pour the mixture into four 6-ounce ramekins or custard cups, dividing evenly.

Baked Pumpkin Custard (Easy Recipe) (8)

In a 6-ounce ramekin (pictured), the custard will fill up the cups to the lower inner rim.

Baked Pumpkin Custard (Easy Recipe) (9)

Place the cups in a 9 X 13-inch baking pan with high sides. Add enough warm water to the baking pan that it comes halfway up the sides of the cups. Read my water bath tips below.

Baked Pumpkin Custard (Easy Recipe) (10)

Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until set and browned lightly. Tip: The ramekins will be very hot, so handle them with care.

Baked Pumpkin Custard (Easy Recipe) (11)

When set, the center will have a slight jiggle and a knife inserted into the center will come out clean. Carefully transfer the pumpkin custard to a wire rack to cool.

Baked Pumpkin Custard (Easy Recipe) (12)

Serve warm, cool (room temperature), or chilled with whipped cream and pecans (optional).

Baked Pumpkin Custard (Easy Recipe) (13)

How to use a water bath

This pumpkin custard recipe calls for a hot water bath. Cooking the egg custards in a water bath (also called a bain-marie) helps the heat to evenly distribute around the ramekins and prevents the eggs from curdling.

Without a bain-marie, the custard would overcook on the edges before the center has a chance to set. A hot water bath prevents a dry, rubbery texture.

The water should be warm or boiling. Hot water is closer in temperature to the oven temp than cold water. This helps create a more uniform texture.

Do not splash the water into your custard dishes. The water should come halfway up the sides of the cups.

Be careful. Fill the large pan with water while it is already in the oven to avoid spilling water. Pull out the oven rack, place the pan on the rack, then fill.

Learn more about how to make a bain-marie.

Substitutions

  • Evaporated milk: This can be substituted with half-and-half, whipping cream, or heavy cream. Full-fat canned coconut milk is also a great option.
  • Cinnamon and ginger: The added cinnamon and ginger boost these flavors. If needed, they can be replaced with ½ teaspoon of additional pumpkin pie spice.
  • Pumpkin puree: For a different spin on this dish, try sweet potato puree or butternut squash puree.
Baked Pumpkin Custard (Easy Recipe) (14)

Dietary considerations

This recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free. Most homemade custards are naturally gluten-free, but it's always important to read ingredient labels for recipe ingredients.

To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the evaporated milk with canned coconut milk (full fat).

Equipment

Make it ahead of time

Pumpkin custard can be made in advance. Fully cook and cool the custard before storing it in the refrigerator. Cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to three days.

To prevent a skin from forming over the top of the custard, press the plastic wrap lightly against the surface of the custard.

📖 Recipe

Baked Pumpkin Custard (Easy Recipe) (15)

Pin Recipe Save Recipe Print

Baked Pumpkin Custard

Silky and rich baked pumpkin custard is like pumpkin pie without the crust. Serve it with whipped cream and chopped pecans.

5 from 1 vote

Recipe by: Kelsey Smith

Prep time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook time: 50 minutes minutes

Total time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 2 large eggs
  • 16 fl oz evaporated milk
  • cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • whipped cream optional, to serve
  • chopped pecans optional, to serve

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, eggs, evaporated milk, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.

  • In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch, spices, and salt. Break up any clumps.

  • Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, whisking until well-blended.

  • Pour the mixture into four 6-ounce ramekins or custard cups, dividing evenly. Place the cups in a 9 X 13-inch baking pan with high sides. Add enough warm or boiling water to the baking pan that it comes halfway up the sides of the cups.

  • Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until set and browned lightly. When set, the center will have a slight jiggle and a knife inserted into the center will come out clean. Carefully transfer the pumpkin custard to a wire rack to cool.

  • Serve warm, cool, or chilled with whipped cream and pecans (optional).

Video

Notes

Hot water bath tip: Fill the large pan with water while it is already in the oven to avoid spilling water.

Storage:Allow the custard to cool before storing it in the refrigerator. Cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to three days. To prevent a skin from forming over the top of the custard, press the plastic wrap lightly against the surface of the custard.

Nutrition

Calories: 276kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 11gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 86mgSodium: 446mgPotassium: 531mgFiber: 2gSugar: 49gVitamin A: 10031IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 342mgIron: 2mg

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: French

Keyword: pumpkin, pumpkin spice

Tried this recipe?Rate it to let me know how it was!

How do you make brown sugar?

Combine white sugar and molasses in a small bowl. For every cup of sugar, add a tablespoon of molasses. Mix until thoroughly blended.

Do you have to bake custard in a water bath?

Custard must be cooked in a hot water bath for even cooking and a smooth texture. Without a hot water bath, the outer edges may overcook leading to an unpleasant texture.

More Dessert

  • Banana Mug Cake
  • Yellow Mug Cake
  • Easy Banana Coffee Cake
  • 27 Easy 3-Ingredient Desserts

About Kelsey Smith

I am a freelance content writer by day, mommy by night, and a blogger in between. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband, Xavier. When I'm not working, you might find me here, sharing comfort food recipes.

Reader Interactions

Comments

No Comments

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Baked Pumpkin Custard (Easy Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What are the three types of baked custard? ›

There are three types of custard: baked, stirred, and frozen. Baked custards include bread pudding, flan, and cheesecake, and are prepared by baking in an oven or water bath. Boiled Custards include beverages like eggnog. Puddings, creme anglaise (krem on-GLAYZ), and pastry cream are some examples of stirred custards.

How to tell if pumpkin custard is done? ›

Check for a Jiggle, Not a Wiggle

When it comes to a home-baked pumpkin pie, the famous old ditty, "jiggle like jello, not wiggle like a wave," is funny, but true. "You can tell it is done when the edges are set and the center has a little jiggle to it," explains Luck.

How long does pumpkin custard last in the fridge? ›

How Long Does Custard Last? This easy pumpkin custard recipe will last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. For best results, you should store it covered in plastic wrap to prevent the top from drying out.

Why is my custard pie not thickening? ›

One way to combat a custard that will not set is to reboil it. If you thought your custard was thickening up, and then refrigerated it to let it set, only to find that it had thinned out, simply pour the custard base back into a pot and cook it more (via Crafty Baking).

What is the difference between baked custard and custard? ›

Stirred custards are cooked in a saucepan until thick but still liquid in consistency, while baked custards are usually cooked in ovenproof dishes in a water bath or bain-marie until set.

Is baked custard the same as crème brûlée? ›

The main difference between the two is that creme brulee is topped with a layer of sugar that caramelizes under a broiler or torch, resulting in a crunchy, burnt sugar topping. Egg custard does not have this additional layer of sugar, but some recipes call for a dusting of nutmeg or cinnamon.

Why is my pumpkin custard watery? ›

If you notice liquid on the top of your pie while it's still in the oven or still hot, then it has been overbaked. Just as above, the proteins in the custard have toughened too much, squeezing out the liquid from the filling.

How do you determine when a baked custard is properly baked? ›

The custard may still jiggle slightly, but the top should no longer be liquid. It should feel firm (spongy but set) when lightly touched; and when a toothpick or skewer is inserted down into the custard at the edge of the cup, it should come out clean. Otherwise, keep baking and checking.

Should pumpkin custard be refrigerated? ›

You should refrigerate homemade pies that contain fillings with eggs, such as pumpkin, custard or cream pies.

Can I eat a 5 day old pumpkin pie? ›

How long does pumpkin pie last? Everyone loves Thanksgiving leftovers, including a few extra slices of pumpkin pie. When stored correctly (in plastic wrap or an airtight container) in the refrigerator, your pumpkin pie can last up to four days.

Why is store-bought pumpkin pie not refrigerated? ›

Why Are Store-Bought Pies Not Refrigerated? So that brings many of us to the question: Why are the pumpkin pies at the grocery store sitting out? Store-bought pumpkin pies include shelf-stable ingredients such as preservatives which allow them to last longer, even at room temp.

Can you eat 4 day old custard? ›

It's recommended that custard be eaten up in 3–4 days if stored properly in an airtight container.

Can you whip custard to make it thicker? ›

Stir as recommended by your original recipe, but if your custard is still runny, try more vigorous stirring. Make sure to use the appropriate tool, such as an immersion blender or a hand whisk.

What can I add to custard to make it thicker? ›

For a thick, hot custard you need to add cornflour (cornstarch) as a thickener. The custard needs to come up to boiling point to thicken and to loose the taste of the uncooked starch, but the cornflour stabilizes the egg yolks so that they can tolerate higher temperatures without scrambling.

What ingredient makes the custard thicker? ›

Custard is a decadent dessert made with eggs, milk, and sugar. Eggs are responsible for custard's thick and velvety texture, but some recipes (such as this one) call for thickeners such as cornstarch or arrowroot for extra richess.

What is baked custard called? ›

Flan, or crème caramel, is a custard baked in a dish coated with caramelized sugar that forms a sauce when the custard is unmolded. For crème brûlée, the baked custard is sprinkled with sugar that is caramelized under a broiler or with a hot iron called a salamander. The sugar forms a thin crisp shell over the custard.

What types of custards are there? ›

Custards are of two types: stirred and baked. Both types create a rich, smooth sauce served warm or cold. Baked custards are prepared with whole eggs and are cooked in an oven with water surrounding its dish. Stirred custards contain egg yolks and are cooked on the stovetop, often in a bowl over water.

What is bake custard? ›

Baked custard is made with a combination of eggs, milk or cream, sugar, and sometimes flavoring, chocolate, or spices, that's cooked in small dishes sitting in a pan of water. The result is smooth, creamy, and rich.

What are the different types of baked goodies? ›

Bakery and baked goods categories like bars, breads (bagels, buns, rolls, biscuits and loaf breads), cookies, desserts (cakes, cheesecakes and pies), muffins, pizza, snack cakes, sweet goods (doughnuts, Danish, sweet rolls, cinnamon rolls and coffee cake) and tortillas.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Foster Heidenreich CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 6197

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Foster Heidenreich CPA

Birthday: 1995-01-14

Address: 55021 Usha Garden, North Larisa, DE 19209

Phone: +6812240846623

Job: Corporate Healthcare Strategist

Hobby: Singing, Listening to music, Rafting, LARPing, Gardening, Quilting, Rappelling

Introduction: My name is Foster Heidenreich CPA, I am a delightful, quaint, glorious, quaint, faithful, enchanting, fine person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.