Description
Transform holiday desserts with this Pumpkin Pie Brûlée featuring silky spiced custard topped with caramelized sugar crust and bourbon vanilla whipped cream. Make-ahead friendly and impressively elegant.
Ingredients
1 cup pure pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup whole milk
3 large egg yolks
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for custard)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of ground cloves
Pinch of fine sea salt
4–6 tablespoons granulated sugar (for brûlée topping)
1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold (for whipped cream)
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for whipped cream)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 325°F and arrange six 6-ounce ramekins in a large roasting pan.
2. Whisk together pumpkin purée, heavy cream, and milk in a medium bowl until smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, and all spices until lightened in color (about 1 minute).
4. Gradually pour pumpkin mixture into egg mixture while whisking constantly to prevent scrambling.
5. Strain the entire custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring cup for silky smoothness.
6. Divide custard evenly among ramekins, filling each about three-quarters full.
7. Place roasting pan on oven rack and carefully pour hot water into the pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of ramekins.
8. Bake for 35-45 minutes until edges are set but centers jiggle slightly when gently shaken.
9. Remove ramekins from water bath using tongs and cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes.
10. Cover each ramekin with plastic wrap (not touching custard surface) and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 3 days.
11. Just before serving, sprinkle 1 tablespoon granulated sugar evenly over each chilled custard.
12. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize sugar until golden and crisp, moving the flame constantly in circular motions.
13. Whip cold heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
14. Top each Pumpkin Pie Brûlée with a dollop of bourbon vanilla whipped cream and serve immediately.
Notes
For best results, strain pumpkin purée if it appears watery or contains lumps.
The custard will continue cooking from residual heat, so remove when centers still jiggle slightly.
Always caramelize sugar just before serving—the crisp topping softens within 30 minutes.
If you don’t have a kitchen torch, use the oven broiler on high, watching constantly to prevent burning (1-3 minutes).
Custards can be prepared up to 3 days ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
For dairy-free version, substitute full-fat coconut cream for heavy cream.
Unbaked custard can be frozen in ramekins for up to 1 month—thaw overnight before baking.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 40
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking, Brûlée
- Cuisine: American, French-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ramekin (6 oz)
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
Keywords: Pumpkin Pie Brûlée, pumpkin dessert, holiday dessert, brûlée recipe, Thanksgiving dessert, caramelized custard, elegant pumpkin pie