Steamed Pumpkin Custard Recipe

By
Leela Punyaratabandhu
Leela Punyaratabanhu is a food writer, recipe developer, and award-winning author specializing in Thai cooking. She has written three cookbooks: Simple Thai Food, Flavors of the Southeast Asian Grill, and Bangkok, which won the 2018 Art of Eating Prize.
Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Updated April 19, 2019
Leela Punyaratabandhu

This is a streamlined version of the famous Thai steamed pumpkin custard. You know, the kind where you steam a whole pumpkin along with the custard filling; the kind that isn't as easy to make as many recipes want you to think. You get pretty much the same taste out of this version without nearly as much fuss. This appeals to a lazy person like me who's always looking for a faster, easier way to do everything.

Just as I recommend kabocha squash or calabaza pumpkin for Thai pumpkin in sweet coconut cream, I also recommend these same types of squash/pumpkin for this dessert. They have the best texture when steamed and their mild flavor lends itself to Thai desserts very well.

Recipe Details

Steamed Pumpkin Custard Recipe

Active 10 mins
Total 30 mins
Serves 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 large eggs

  • 1 cup coconut milk

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 cup rice flour

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla or coconut extract

  • 1 1/4 cups diced (1/4-inch) pumpkin flesh

Directions

  1. Prepare a steamer over boiling water. Combine eggs, coconut milk, sugar, salt, flour, and vanilla, in a mixing bowl; Whisk together thoroughly. Strain custard mixture and divide it among four 6-ounce ramekins. Divide pumpkin among four ramekins. Steam until custard is set around edges but still slightly soft in the middle. This may take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes depending on the type of steamer you use. Let custard cool to room temperature before serving.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
431Calories
17gFat
64gCarbs
9gProtein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories431
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 17g22%
Saturated Fat 12g62%
Cholesterol 186mg62%
Sodium 212mg9%
Total Carbohydrate 64g23%
Dietary Fiber 1g4%
Total Sugars 52g
Protein 9g
Vitamin C 4mg21%
Calcium 51mg4%
Iron 3mg18%
Potassium 379mg8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

More Serious Eats Recipes