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No-Bake Pumpkin Crème Brûlée

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That smoky, burnt note on top complements the rich, spicy pumpkin custard below. And best of all, you can make it ahead (it only takes 15 minutes to throw together) and leave in the fridge until you're ready for dessert. No oven required!

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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups cream
  • 8 large egg yolks
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 7 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (OR 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves)
  • 1/8 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
  • Fine sugar, for brûléeing

Details

Servings 8

Preparation

Step 1

Mix the cornstarch and salt in a 1-quart mixing bowl. Slowly whisk in the cream, making sure there are no lumps. Whisk in the egg yolks. It is important that this mixture is as smooth as you can make it. (If you want to be really sure that the mixture is smooth, reach into the bowl and gently rub out any lumps between your fingers.)

Heat a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat and add the pumpkin with the spices. Fry them together, stirring it for about 1 minute or until fragrant or hot. Whisk in the milk with the brown sugar. Warm over medium heat until bubbles form around the edge and the entire surface of the mixture begins to quiver. Turn off the heat.

Slowly pour about half of the pumpkin and milk mixture into the cornstarch and egg yolk slurry. Whisk vigorously to combine. These should come together smoothly, with no lumps. If you see any lumps, add a little more milk and whisk them out.

Turn the heat back on to medium. Pour the mixture slowly back into the pan, while whisking, and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly. Whisk continuously and vigorously, working all the angles of the pot, and scraping the bottom. Bring the custard to a boil, with large bubbles that slowly pop up to the surface, which will take between 2 and 5 minutes. Boil, whisking constantly, for 2 minutes. (Your arm will probably start to ache — this is normal!) After the pudding has simmered for 2 minutes, turn off the heat.

Whisk in the vanilla extract. Divide evenly among 8 ramekins, or spread in a pretty dish (it should hold at least 1 1/2 quarts). (If an extra-smooth texture is desired, pass the custard through a fine mesh strainer before spreading in the dishes.)

Do not cover the custards; you want to allow a thin, dry skin to form on top of the pudding. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.

When ready to brûlée the pudding, lightly sprinkle the surface of each pudding with an even layer of sugar. Shake the ramekins from side to side to even out the layer. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar. I like to add a second layer of sugar after the first one has hardened. This gives a better "snap" and a more definitive caramelized taste. Let the finished puddings sit at least 5 minutes before serving so the sugar layer can cool and harden

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