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Rich and creamy Pumpkin Custards in small ramekins are a great gluten-free option for dessert, especially for the holidays like thanksgiving and Christmas. These are smooth and velvety crustless pumpkin pies, and they’ll become a favorite in your house.
And, you certainly can make these any time of year! There’s no need to wait for the holidays!
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Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.
Individual servings
I like to make these custards in these 8-ounce ramekins, because they make for a pretty presentation. Sometimes, I’ll eat the whole ramekin full by myself, but I really think this is the perfect size for sharing with one other special person.
These can be made in even smaller ramekins, like a 4-ounce ramekin, but keep an eye on the cooking time; it’ll be less than 15-20 minutes.
Love these little custards as much as I do? Make sure to try my Eggnog Custards as well!
Can this be made as a whole pie?
These custards are based off of my favorite pumpkin pie. So, yes, if you’re wondering if these can be made as a traditional pie, they sure can.
And, it’s a pie I make every year for thanksgiving.
Looking for more great pumpkin recipes?
If you love all things pumpkin, you’ll definitely want to check out my Pumpkin Spice Cake, Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream, and Pumpkin Cookies.
Can these be made ahead?
Absolutely! These custards can be made ahead and stored in the fridge, covered with plastic wrap, for up to 3 days. Which makes them perfect for the holidays because all the work can be done in advance!
Kitchen tools you may need
Note: these are affiliate links
8-ounce ramekins
rimmed baking sheet
Mixing bowls
Food mill (I recently got a food mill, and let me tell you, it’s awesome for making these custards!)
strainer
wooden spoon
large pot
whisk
Instant read thermometer
wire rack
whipped cream dispenser (for easy homemade whipped cream)
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Pumpkin Custards Recipe
Pumpkin Custards Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 large eggs plus 2 large yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 15- ounce can pumpkin puree
- 1 cup drained candied yams from 15-ounce can*
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon finely ground sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° F. Adjust oven rack to lowest position, and place rimmed baking sheet on the rack.
- Whisk cream, milk, eggs, yolks, and vanilla together in medium bowl, and set aside.
- Combine pumpkin puree, yams, sugar, maple syrup, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in large heavy-bottomed saucepan; bring to sputtering simmer over medium heat, 5 to 7 minutes. Continue to simmer pumpkin mixture, stirring constantly and mashing yams against sides of pot, until thick and shiny, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Remove pan from heat and whisk in cream mixture until fully incorporated. Strain mixture through fine-mesh strainer or using a food mill that’s set over a medium bowl, using back of ladle or spatula to press solids through strainer. Re-whisk mixture.
- Pour the filling into 6 8-ounce ramekins (about a scant 1 cup in each ramekin), and bake for 10 minutes at 400° F. Without taking the custards out of the oven, reduce the heat to 300° F, and continue baking until most of the custard is set (instant-read thermometer inserted in center registers 175° F), 15-20 minutes longer. The center of the custards should look firm but jiggle slightly; the custards will finish cooking with residual heat while on the counter cooling.
- Transfer the baking sheet with the custards on it to a wire rack and cool to room temperature and not in the refrigerator to ensure that the filling sets, 2 to 3 hours. Serve at room temperature or chilled with whipped cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Amy Nash
These were so smooth and creamy and wonderful! Way better than pumpkin pie, in my opinion. I crumbled some crushed Oreos on top because I love pumpkin and chocolate together and it was yummy!
Sharon
yes, I made this. I have to tell you it was the best pumpkin custer that I’ve ever made! I received compliments from my family.
Phyllis
Debbie is the baking time the same if using smaller ramekins?
Debi
Phyllis, I guess that would depend on how much smaller the ramekins are. If they’re just slightly smaller, like 7 ounce, the time should be about the same. If they’re 4 ounce ramekins, I’d probably check them about 10 minutes early just to be on the safe side. Again, the center of the custards should look firm but jiggle slightly; the custards will finish cooking with residual heat while on the counter cooling. Enjoy!
Veronica
If I wanted to make this in a large baking dish, would a pie dish be big enough? Do you know how long I would bake it for?
Debi
Veronica, yes, you can bake it as a whole pie. Make sure it’s a deep dish pie pan. I usually have some leftover after filling the pie pan. I just bake that off as a small custard. The whole pie instructions are here: https://lifecurrentsblog.com/this-is-the-best-pumpkin-pie-ever-seriously/ But the baking instructions go like this:
“Pour the filling into the pie crust, and bake for 10 minutes at 400° F. Without taking the pie out of the oven, reduce the heat to 300° F, and continue baking until edges of pie are set (instant-read thermometer inserted in center registers 175° F), 20 to 35 minutes longer. The center 2 inches of the pie should look firm but jiggle slightly; the pie finishes cooking with residual heat.
Transfer to wire rack and cool to room temperature and not in the refrigerator to ensure that the filling sets, 2 to 3 hours. Cut into wedges and serve at room temperature or chilled with whipped cream.”
Gina
Could I substitute 1 cup of pumpkin purée for the1 cup of candied yams. It’s the carbs in the yams I’d like to avoid. The recipe looks divine and so do everyone’s comments.
Debi
Gina, of all the times I’ve made this, I’ve never tried that. I think it would work just fine. The flavor might not be as rich – just one flavor rather than two. But I think it would still turn out great. I’d love to hear if you make it. Also, I’ll add it to my testing list.