2000s Recipes + Menus

Maple Custard Cups

Serves6
  • Active time:15 min
  • Start to finish:1 1/2 hr
March 2006
Maple syrup and maple sugar infuse a simple vanilla custard with a rich caramelized flavor.
  • 2 whole large eggs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup dark amber or Grade B maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons granulated maple sugar (see cooks' note, below)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Special equipment:

    a 13- by 9-inch baking pan; 6 (6-oz) custard cups or ramekins
  • Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Whisk together all ingredients in a large bowl until sugar is dissolved, then pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a 1-quart glass measure. Divide custard evenly among cups, then transfer cups to baking pan. Bake in a hot water bath (see Tips), pan covered loosely with foil, until custards are just set and a knife inserted in center of one comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.
  • Carefully transfer cups to a rack and cool to warm, about 30 minutes.
Cooks' notes:
  • Custard is best when eaten immediately, but can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.
  • Maple sugar is usually sold granulated, but if you find a brand sold as very large granules, pulse the sugar in a blender until it becomes more finely granulated.
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