The Dreamiest Maple Crème Custard Recipe With Hazelnut Caramel

Creamy desserts have a magical way of bringing joy to the table, especially when you whip up this decadent maple creme custard with salted hazelnut caramel sauce.

The silky smooth custard melts on your tongue, creating a luxurious experience that promises pure indulgence.

Rich maple notes dance through each spoonful, complemented by the deep, nutty crunch of hazelnuts.

A delicate sprinkle of sea salt elevates the caramel sauce, adding a sophisticated twist to this classic treat.

Every layer of this dessert tells a story of comfort and elegance.

The contrast between the velvety custard and the crunchy caramel creates a symphony of textures that will leave you craving more.

Prepare to be transported to a world of sweet, nutty bliss with this irresistible dessert.

Swaps for Maple Creme Custard and Hazelnut Fans

• Vegan Coconut Maple Custard: Replace heavy cream and milk with coconut milk, use cornstarch or agar-agar instead of egg yolks, and swap maple syrup with coconut nectar for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Almond Caramel Variation: Substitute hazelnuts with toasted almonds, use gluten-free sugar, and add a splash of almond extract to enhance the nutty flavor profile.
• Low-Sugar Honey Custard Option: Use honey instead of maple syrup, reduce sugar quantity, and incorporate monk fruit sweetener to create a diabetic-friendly dessert with lower caloric content.

Best Bites With Maple Creme Custard Bowls

• Pair with Sweet Dessert Wine: Sip a rich, golden late-harvest Riesling or Sauternes to complement the maple custard's sweet, creamy profile and enhance the caramel's deep, nutty undertones.
• Complement with Coffee: Serve a smooth, medium-roast Colombian coffee or a velvety cappuccino to balance the dessert's richness and provide a warm, aromatic counterpoint to the cold custard.
• Match with Nutty Garnish: Sprinkle additional toasted hazelnuts or add a small scoop of hazelnut gelato alongside the dessert to amplify the nutty caramel sauce and create textural contrast.

Storing Maple Creme Custard for Special Occasions

• Store maple creme custard in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to prevent absorbing other food odors.
• Wrap each custard individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 1 month, as the texture might slightly change upon thawing.
• Warm custard slowly in the microwave using 50% power for 20-30 seconds, checking frequently to avoid overheating. Alternatively, let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.

FAQs

• What is the key ingredient that gives this custard its unique flavor?

Maple syrup is the star ingredient, infusing the custard with a rich, sweet, and distinctive flavor that sets this dessert apart from traditional custards.

• How do I prevent my custard from curdling?

Tempering is crucial – slowly add the hot cream mixture to egg yolks while constantly whisking. Straining the custard through a fine-mesh sieve also helps remove any potential curdled bits.

• Can I make the caramel sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the salted hazelnut caramel sauce in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and gently reheat before serving.

Why Maple Creme Custard Feels So Cozy

• Savor Flavor-Packed Delight: This French onion dip bursts with rich, caramelized onion goodness that transforms an ordinary snack into a gourmet experience. The deep, sweet notes of slowly cooked onions blend perfectly with creamy base ingredients.
• Master Simple Culinary Magic: Surprisingly straightforward preparation allows home cooks of all skill levels to create a restaurant-quality dip without complicated techniques. Just a few basic ingredients and some patient cooking deliver extraordinary results.
• Perfect Party Companion: Versatile enough for game day gatherings, potlucks, or casual family snacking, this dip pairs wonderfully with chips, crackers, and fresh vegetable sticks. Its crowd-pleasing flavor guarantees instant popularity at any social event.

What’s Needed for Maple Creme Custard

• Heavy Cream: Provides a rich and creamy foundation for the custard.
• Milk: Helps create a smooth and silky texture.
• Maple Syrup: Adds a natural sweetness and distinctive maple flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall depth and aroma of the custard.

• Egg Yolks: Creates the luxurious and velvety consistency of the custard.
• Sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps stabilize the custard.
• Salt: Heightens the flavors and balances the sweetness.

• Sugar, Water: Forms the base of the caramel with a deep amber color.
• Butter: Adds richness and creates a smooth caramel texture.
• Heavy Cream: Provides a creamy and glossy finish to the caramel sauce.
• Sea Salt: Adds a savory contrast to the sweet caramel.
• Hazelnuts, Toasted Hazelnuts: Provide a nutty crunch and complementary flavor to the dessert.

Steps for Making Maple Creme Custard at Home

Step 1: Warm Up the Cream

Pour heavy cream, milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract into a saucepan. Gently heat the mixture until it’s steamy and fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.

Step 2: Whisk the Egg Base

• Egg yolks
• Sugar
• Salt

Continue whisking until the mixture looks smooth and turns a lighter shade of yellow.

Step 3: Blend Cream and Eggs

Slowly pour the hot cream mixture into the egg mixture, whisking continuously.

This technique prevents the eggs from scrambling and creates a silky smooth base.

Step 4: Strain the Custard

Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to catch any potential lumps, ensuring a perfectly smooth texture.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

• Transfer the custard to individual ramekins or a baking dish
• Place the ramekins in a larger pan
• Fill the outer pan with hot water halfway up the sides of the ramekins

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into a 325°F oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. The custard should look set but still have a gentle jiggle in the center.

Step 7: Chill and Set

Let the custards cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours until completely chilled.

Step 8: Create Caramel Magic

In a saucepan, combine sugar and water.

Heat until the mixture turns a deep amber color, swirling the pan occasionally.

Step 9: Build the Caramel Sauce

• Remove from heat
• Whisk in butter until smooth
• Gradually add heavy cream
• Stir in sea salt
• Fold in toasted hazelnuts

Step 10: Final Flourish

Drizzle the warm caramel sauce over the chilled custard.

Sprinkle extra toasted hazelnuts on top for a delightful crunch.

Notes for a Silky Maple Creme Custard Batch

• Ensure even, gentle cooking by filling the outer pan with hot water halfway up the ramekins to create a steady, soft heat environment for your custard.
• Temper eggs carefully by slowly whisking hot cream into yolks, which prevents curdling and creates a silky smooth custard texture.
• Watch sugar carefully while caramelizing, swirling pan instead of stirring to achieve a deep amber color without burning.
• Refrigerate custard for at least 2 hours to allow it to firm up completely and develop rich, creamy consistency.
• Toast hazelnuts before adding to caramel sauce to release deeper, more intense nutty aromatics and create a more complex flavor profile.

Maple Creme Custard With Salted Hazelnut Caramel Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Silky maple creme custard dances with rich salted hazelnut caramel sauce, creating a luxurious dessert that whispers French countryside elegance. Each spoonful promises a delicate balance of sweet maple warmth and nutty caramel complexity you’ll savor to the last bite.

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Ingredients

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Custard Base:

• 6 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk
• 1/2 cup (170 grams) maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Finishing:

• Pinch of salt

Salted Hazelnut Caramel Sauce:

• Ingredients as per original recipe (additional recipe details needed for specific amounts)

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Instructions

1. Heat cream, milk, maple syrup, and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming, avoiding boiling.
2. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and salt until smooth and lighter in color.
3. Gradually stream hot cream mixture into egg yolks, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
4. Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve to ensure silky texture.
5. Transfer custard into ramekins or baking dish, positioning in a water bath that reaches halfway up the sides.
6. Bake at 325F for 45-50 minutes until edges are set but center remains slightly jiggly.
7. Cool custard to room temperature, then refrigerate for minimum 2 hours until thoroughly chilled.
8. Create caramel by heating sugar and water over medium-high heat, swirling until deep amber color develops.
9. Remove from heat and incorporate butter, whisking until seamlessly blended.
10. Carefully add heavy cream, stirring until caramel becomes glossy and smooth.
11. Fold in sea salt and toasted hazelnuts, allowing sauce to cool slightly.
12. Drizzle caramel over chilled custard just before serving.
13. Sprinkle additional toasted hazelnuts on top for enhanced crunch and visual appeal.

Notes

• Swap maple syrup with alternative sweeteners like honey or agave for different flavor profiles.
• Use plant-based milk and coconut cream to create a dairy-free version of this luxurious dessert.
• Toast hazelnuts carefully to enhance their nutty flavor and prevent burning by stirring frequently during roasting.
• Adjust salt levels in caramel sauce to suit individual taste preferences, starting with small increments.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg