A smooth and sweet paleo pumpkin custard topped with a crunchy pecan topping. A perfect gluten free, dairy free treat for fall days!
What is it about fall that makes us want to eat all things pumpkin? There's always a smorgasborg of recipes that hit the internet and Pinterest right when the weather starts to cool off that are pumpkin centered, or, more importantly, pumpkin spice centered.
I'm guilty too - I have 25 Perfectly Paleo Pumpkin Recipes, 16 Healthy Pumpkin Recipes (including savory dishes, so you're not just always eating pumpkin dessert!), as well as pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin cupcakes, and even pumpkin dog treats. But this paleo pumpkin custard is my favorite of all.
These do have to bake for awhile to set, but I can tell you it's worth it. Your house will be filled with the smell of pumpkin and maple, and once you add the topping it will be filled with the smell of pecans and sugar, and also pumpkin and maple. It's delicious and warm and everything cozy about fall.
You'll know they're done when a knife or toothpick comes out clean. They'll be a little soft when they come out, which is not a bad thing. You can serve them warm if you like! You can also put them in the fridge and chill them - I enjoy them cold as well; served cold they have more of a chilled pudding consistency to them.
Now, when warm, the topping gets all caramelized and crunchy and is the perfect contrast to the smooth custard. Can you not just taste those crunchy sweet pecans right now?
I think my favorite part about this dessert was that it made four servings, and I gave two of them to my parents to taste test. I told them I needed their honest opinion, and not to just tell me that it was good because I'm their daughter and they were trying to be nice. When I went back over later, my dad gave me this, and said "here's our comment card."
Um, ya'll. My parents made me a dessert comment card. Is that not the cutest?!
Anyway, my mom says to add something crunchy to the custard. I prefer a smooth custard, but you could definitely smash up some pecans and mix them in if you wanted to add additional texture to it.
My dad says it's good with white wine, so there's that if you're a wine drinker!
If you're looking for a dairy free, gluten free, healthier fall dessert option, this paleo pumpkin custard is what you've been waiting for. They're perfect for a dinner party - pop them in the oven before you start cooking and they'll be finished baking by the time you're done.
Add crunch, drink white wine, or just eat them as-is, but whatever you do, make sure you make them! I promise you won't regret it.
Recipe
Maple Pumpkin Custard with Pecan Crumble
A smooth and sweet paleo pumpkin custard topped with a crunchy pecan topping. A perfect gluten free, dairy free, treat for fall days!
Ingredients
Custard:
- 1 15- oz can of pumpkin
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon salt
Topping:
- ½ cup pecans
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- 2 Tablespoons grass-fed butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- Place all custard ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer and use the whisk attachment to beat until combined.
- Divide custard mixture evenly into 4 ramekins, then place ramekins on a baking sheet.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 45 minutes.
- While the custard is baking, combine all the topping ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until combined.
- When the custard has finished baking, remove from the oven. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the 4 custard cups.
- Return the custard to the oven for an additional 15 minutes, or until the topping is brown and bubbly and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 465Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 108mgSodium: 359mgCarbohydrates: 49gFiber: 3gSugar: 39gProtein: 6g
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Kate
I'm making these in a few days, can't wait! Thoughts on mixing the custard and topping a day in advance, refrigerating separately, and then taking out of the fridge while the oven heats up before baking?
Jessica
Hi Kate! I think this should work fine. I've not tried it, but I can't see a reason it wouldn't work. I've also made them ahead of time, baked, and refrigerated, then served chilled or at room temperature, or even gently reheated before serving.