Pumpkin Creme Brulee
Serves 4
10 mins prep
25 mins cook
480 mins Chill Time
35 mins total
This pumpkin creme brulee is creamy, full of spiced creamy pumpkin flavor, and has a crunchy caramelized sugar layer on top. Creme brulee is so easy to make, it comes together in 5 minutes, and you can even bake it inside of mini pumpkins like I did here. The recipe includes instructions on how to make them inside of mini pumpkins and/or ramekins. This recipe makes approximately 4 creme brulees.
Mini pumpkin shell (optional)
Creme brulee
Skip this step if using regular ramekins: Preheat oven to 355°F (180°C) if using mini pumpkins as ramekins. Cut the tops off your pumpkins, clean out the seeds and strings with a spoon. Spread 1 tablespoon softened butter, 1 tablespoon sugar, and a pinch of pumpkin spice all over the inside of each pumpkin. Cover with tops and bake for 30-40 minutes until flesh is tender but firm.
pumpkins
tbsp butter
tbsp sugar
pinch pumpkin spice
Whisk yolks, sugar, salt, vanilla, and pumpkin spice in a large bowl just until smooth and combined. Do not whisk until lightened in color.
large egg yolks
cup granulated sugar
tsp sea salt
tsp pumpkin spice
tbsp pure vanilla extract
Add pumpkin puree, whisk to combine. Add cream and milk, whisk to combine.
cup pumpkin puree
cup heavy whipping cream
cup milk
Lower or preheat the oven temperature to 320°F (160°C). Pour the creme brulee mixture into the baked pumpkins and/or ramekins. If baking in ramekins, place them into a baking dish with taller walls and fill the baking dish halfway with boiling water. If baking in pumpkins, you don’t need to add boiling water.
Very carefully place the creme brulee into the preheated oven and bake until the edges are set and the center is still jiggly - about 25-30 minutes.
Once baked, remove the ramekins from the hot water and cool completely to room temperature before refrigerating for 8 hours or overnight (up to 49 hours).
Right before serving, sprinkle sugar liberally over chilled creme brulee and use a torch to caramelize the top until a deep, golden brown color. You can also caramelize the top by placing the creme brulee in the top rack under your oven broiler and watching very closely.
Serve immediately and enjoy by cracking through the caramelized sugar topping with a spoon.