Pumpkin Custard No. 1

By • November 9, 2010 • 4 Comments


Edit Recipe Add Photos
+ Save 15
+ Add New Collection
⎙

Author Notes: When I graduated from college (many years ago), my grandmother asked me what I wanted as a gift. "Your recipes," I answered. After a period of disbelief, she got down to work, culling and deciphering and typing. A couple of years later, I got the crinkly sheaf of onion-skin paper. In the pack were not one but THREE recipes for pumpkin custard. Had she loved it that much? Were the recipes so different?

I tested two of the three -- NOT the one made with red wine -- and #1 was the clear winner. I do as Gram did, using Libby’s pumpkin: Pumpkin is a vehicle for the spices, so canned is perfect.

This is essentially pumpkin pie with no crust — good for the gluten-challenged and those leery of crust-making. The cream isn't necessary, but don't use less than whole milk or you'll have a watery mess. And for anyone crazed by Thanksgiving prep, this dessert can be baked one day ahead and refrigerated.

- bakingfamily

Serves 6-8

  • 2 cups canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • 3/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter
  • 3 large eggs, well beaten
  • 1-1/2 cup whole milk, half-and-half or light cream
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart casserole or baking dish.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the pumpkin, both sugars and molasses. Add the spices, salt, melted butter, beaten eggs and milk or cream. Mix well.
  3. Pour mixture into the baking dish. Set the dish into a larger pan and add an inch or two of hot water. Transfer pan combination carefully to preheated oven.
  4. Bake for 1-1/2 hours or until set (top will rise up and crack slightly). Remove from oven and allow to cool a bit before serving. Serve warm, room temperature or cold, with a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream if you've got it.

Tags: custard, gluten-free, Holidays, pudding, Thanksgiving

More Great Recipes

Share a Recipe

Enter one of our contests, or share that great thing you made for dinner last night.
Add a Recipe

Comments (4) Questions (0)

Default-small
Default-small
Add Comment
Showing out of comments
Default-small

over 2 years ago elizawr

This looks DELICIOUS. What do you think - vanilla ice cream or whipped cream to go along with it?

Default-small

over 2 years ago bakingfamily

Thanks for the comment, Eliza! I'd say whipped cream, just a bit sweet. Ice cream is possible, too, if you serve the custard slightly warm so you've got the contrast. Getting hungry just writing this...

Default-small

over 2 years ago bakingfamily

Thanks, Askiba! To my mind, this really is the best of both pie and custard worlds -- would love to hear what you think if you try it.

Me

over 2 years ago Askiba

Ooooo, love pumpkin pie, and I love custards! Looks fantastic!

Add Comment