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Maple Pumpkin Flan

Adapted from Cooking for Jeffrey by Ina Garten Some of you may be wondering about canned pumpkin puree. The canned pumpkin puree you buy is either made of pumpkin or a dense type of squash that resembles pumpkin. It's good for baking as it has less water and fiber than other types of pumpkin or squash. (It's different than canned pumpkin pie filling, which is sweetened and spiced. Don't use that.) It's very convenient but if you want to make your own pumpkin puree, you can find instructions on the internet where to do that, or you probably already know. Two things to look out for: Be sure to cook the syrup to 230ºF (110ºC), and watch it carefully. If you overdo it, add a tablespoon or two of water to lower the temperature and cook it back again to 230ºF (110ºC). The second is that I goofed up with the original quantities of ingredients and used a whole can (about 1 1/2 cups) of pumpkin puree, rather than the 1 cup that was called for. It was delicious (and I didn't have to worry about what to do with 1/2 cup of leftover pumpkin puree...) but it made enough custard to fill my 8-inch (20cm) round pan right to the very top, so some of it sloshed out and was a bit messy to slide in the oven. If you want to use the entire can, I would fill the round pan to about 1/2-inch (1,5 cm) from the top and bake extra custard in a ramekin or custard cup alongside the flan until barely set, and have it for a little baker's snack.
Servings 8 servings

For the maple caramel

  • 3/4 cup (150g) sugar
  • 1/3 cup (80ml) dark amber maple syrup
  • 1/3 cup (80ml) water
  • 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt or kosher salt

For the pumpkin flan

  • 1 14-ounce can (400g) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 12-ounce can (340g) evaporated milk
  • 1 cup (250g) unsweetened pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup (125g) mascarpone
  • 5 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • grated zest of one orange, preferably organic or unsprayed
  • Make the maple caramel by putting the sugar, maple syrup and water in a small, heavy-duty saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer. Cook over medium heat without stirring, although you can swirl the pan to combine the ingredients at the beginning. It's ready when the temperature reaches 230ºF (110ºC).
  • Immediately remove from heat, sprinkle in the flaky sea or kosher salt and pour the caramel into an 8-inch (20cm) cake pan (not a springform pan) that has sides at least 2-inches (5cm) high. (See note at end of recipe for other options.) Let cool for until room temperature, about 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC).
  • Using a stand mixer with the whip attachment, or by hand in a medium-sized bowl using a sturdy whisk, mix together the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, canned pumpkin and mascarpone until smooth. Whisk in the eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, allspice, and orange zest.
  • Place the caramelized cake pan in a roasting pan and pour the custard over the back of the large spoon or spatula into the cake pan, over the caramel. (Pouring it over the spoon or spatula will disperse the liquid so it doesn't disturb the caramel, as it would if it was poured in a steady stream.)
  • Add very hot tap water to the roasting pan so that it reaches halfway up the outside of the cake pan and bake the custard on the middle rack of the oven until just barely set, about 70 to 75 minutes. When done, it'll be slightly jiggly in the center, but set around the edges.
  • Remove the flan from the water bath and let cool completely on a wire rack, then chill 3-4 hours (or overnight), before serving.
  • To serve, run a sharp knife around the outside of the flan to release it from the sides of the cake pan. Lay a serving platter upside down on top of the flan and using both hands, flip the flan and the serving platter over simultaneously. Holding both the cake pan and platter, shake to release the flan. If it doesn't release easily, slip your finger on one side of the flan, near an edge, to break the airlock; you should feel (and hear) the flan release slowly. Don't rush it, but let it release and fall out gently, so it stays together.

Notes

Notes: Sweetened condensed milk in France is called lait condensé sucré (or concentré) and evaporated milk is called lait condensé, sometimes called lait condensé non sucré, and is unsweetened. Maple syrup is available in some supermarkets and natural food stores. For more tips, check out my posts American Baking in Paris and French Sugars.
If you don't have an 8-inch (20cm) cake pan, you may be able to make this in an 8-inch square pan or 8-inch porcelain or glass soufflé mold. (Make sure it's heatproof and will withstand the temperature of the hot caramel.) Note that the baking time may vary if using another type of baking mold or dish, so use the visual clues indicated in the recipe to determine doneness. I didn't try it in other types of vessels, but if you do, leave a message in the comments to let us know how it came out.
Storage: The pumpkin flan can be made up to three days in advance and kept refrigerated.