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Maple Pumpkin Pots de Creme
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Pumpkin Pots de Crème with Pumpkin Seed Brittle

Maple pumpkin pot de crème with pillows of whipped cream and crumbled gingersnaps re-create that instantly recognizable taste of pumpkin pie.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword gingersnap, maple, pumpkin
Servings 6 people
Calories 637kcal

Ingredients

Pumpkin Pots de Crème

  • 1 ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 1 vanilla bean
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • ¾ cup pumpkin puree
  • tsp cardamom
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg freshly grated
  • tsp kosher salt
  • ½ cup maple syrup dark
  • 7 egg yolks large
  • gingersnap cookies crumbled
  • whipped cream

Pumpkin Seed Brittle

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds unsalted
  • 2 Tbsp butter unsalted
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

Pumpkin Pots de Crème

  • Preheat the oven to 300°F.
  • Arrange six 6 oz ramekins in a large, shallow baking pan. Put a large kettle of water on the stove and bring to a boil.
  • In a 2-quart saucepan, combine the cream, milk, and cinnamon stick and then scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the mixture. Warm the cream mixture over medium heat until small bubbles form around the edges, or 170°F. Remove from heat, cover, and steep for 10 minutes. Discard the vanilla bean and cinnamon stick.
  • While the cream mixture steeps, combine pumpkin puree, maple syrup, cardamom, nutmeg, and salt in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan. Bring to sputtering simmer over medium heat while stirring constantly until thick and shiny, about 10 minutes. Whisk in the warm cream mixture until combined.
  • In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until pale, about 1 minute. Temper the eggs by slowly adding the warm pumpkin-cream mixture, whisking constantly. Strain the custard through a sieve into a large measuring cup.
  • Divide the egg mixture among the ramekins. Skim away any foam. Fill the baking pan with hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Cover tightly with tinfoil and bake until set and the center still wobbles, about 50 minutes. For a more firm custard, bake for a full 60 minutes.
  • Remove the ramekins from the water bath and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm.
  • Just before serving, make the whipped cream. In a cold metal bowl, whip the heavy creme until soft peaks form. Top each pot de crème with a spoonful of cream and a sprinkle of crumbled gingersnap cookies.

Pumpkin Seed Brittle

  • Line a half sheet pan with a silicone baking mat or parchment and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  • In a 2-quart heavy saucepan, bring the sugar, corn syrup, and 2 Tbsp water to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
  • Cook without stirring until the mixture turns amber in color and a candy a thermometer registers 290°F, about 5 minutes. If sugar crystals form, wash them down from the side of the pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water.
  • Stir in the pumpkin seeds, butter, and salt and continue cooking until a candy thermometer registers 305°F, about 3 minutes.
  • Remove caramel from heat and stir in the baking soda and cinnamon. The caramel will bubble vigorously! Immediately pour the mixture onto the prepared sheet pan and spread as thinly as possible with a heatproof spatula. 
  • Cool completely, about 25 minutes, and then break into pieces. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

The secret to pots de crème is the water bath, which insulates the custards from the oven’s heat ensuring a silky, creamy texture.
To prevent overcooking, remove the custard when it is just set, and the center still jiggles.

Nutrition

Calories: 637kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 326mg | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 355mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 60g | Vitamin A: 6140IU | Vitamin C: 1.9mg | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 2mg