Mini Crustless Pumpkin Pies (Pumpkin Custards)

11/17/16

Crustless Pumpkin Pies in the perfect size to keep all to yourself are one of Fall’s best gluten-free pumpkin recipes! Since everybody knows the best part of the pie is the pumpkin pie filling, there is no need to bother with crust. Just make these mini pumpkin pies baked in ramekins for a pumpkin custard you can keep all to yourself. Don’t wait for Thanksgiving to enjoy an easy version of your favorite holiday dessert! Check out the video to see how easy it is to make this Mini Crustless Pumpkin Pies recipe!

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How to Make Pumpkin Pie without a Crust

These mini pumpkin pies are not much more than pumpkin pie filling baked in little ramekins. By skipping the crust, I suppose you could just call them pumpkin custards, but Mini Crustless Pumpkin Pies sounds way more festive, and it’s always more fun to eat your own single serving dessert. Just mix up a perfectly sweet and spice pumpkin pie filling, pour it into custard cups or ramekins, place them in a water bath, and pop them in the oven. If you avoid gluten or just don’t want to deal with making pie crust, this mini pumpkin pie recipe is what you need for fall.

I know I know I know…  according to Rule #987539875 in the Food Bloggers Handbook, I was supposed to post pumpkin pie recipes at least 3 days prior to Thanksgiving. Well, I would have done that except for one little thing…

OK, actually that sort of just an excuse.  I didn’t actually get to making these individual crustless pumpkin pies until the day before Thanksgiving.

And I thought of making myself a birthday cake to post, since Gluten Free Golden Fudge Cake is pretty much my ultimate birthday cake. But, between the gluten-free chocolate chip cookies for two I found in the freezer, , the gluten-free pumpkin snack cake I made, and half of a Monster Snickers Pie  I managed to consume in just two sittings, I thought the towering pile of cake and frosting that I dream of would be a bit excessive and dangerous to have in my kitchen.

And this gives me the opportunity to tell you a little story.  Because I like to let myself think that you are all interested in my silly little life. 🙂 For those of you that are – I love you! Let’s be friends!

Being born on November 27th, my birthday usually falls or within a day or two of Thanksgiving. This year is actually an unusual one, with it being so far from Thanksgiving. As a kid, since we were already getting together as a family on Thanksgiving, and often on the next day for consumption of leftovers, my family birthday celebration was usually done on Thanksgiving. So this meant my candles went in the pumpkin pie, since apple pie is not the best support system for birthday candles.  One problem…

I hated pumpkin pie. I really just wanted a Fudgie the Whale, or something. Heck, a Funfetti ice cream cake would have been awesome. But I got pumpkin pie.

Sometime later in life, I actually started liking pumpkin pie.  Not sure when, not sure why. By that time, my culinary skills were developing, so I’d no longer buy our Thanksgiving pumpkin pie.  I would make it.  So I began making it, and I always made the Martha Stewart pumpkin pie. Her filling is always perfect, though I always seem to have to bake it longer than her directions call for.

In fact, the Hubby, who claimed to never really like pumpkin pie happily eats it every year.  Or he just wants to keep up the facade, since the first time he said he liked it was the first time he spent Thanksgiving with my family.

And he was trying to impress everyone, because he also did the dishes – first man to ever do that in our house. I’m going to keep convincing myself it is because I just make an exceptionally good pumpkin pie.

Except now, since I don’t really like crust, have a gluten allergy, and really don’t want to fiddle with gluten free pie crust, I stick with no crust pumpkin pie.

Individual Crustless Pumpkin Pies Recipe Tips

• You’ll need 4 oz. ramekins or custard cups to bake these mini pumpkin pies. Set them in a larger glass baking dish so you can later add water to bake in a water bath.
• Speaking of the water bath, while you prepare the filling, start heating some water in a pot or tea kettle.
• As mentioned, this pumpkin pie filling is from the Martha Stewart Pumpkin Pie recipe. She uses light brown sugar, which I think gives a nice caramelized flavor versus using white sugar.
• The pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling) is whisked with the brown sugar, cornstarch, pumpkin pie spice, and eggs until smooth before stirring in evaporated milk. Note that this is NOT sweetened condensed milk.
• You can buy pumpkin pie spice, but I usually used the spices in my pantry to make this Pumpkin Pie Spice from How Sweet It Is.
• After pouring the mixture into the ramekins, pour the hot water into the baking dish around the ramekins. You can do this ofter you set it on the oven rack if you don’t want to carry a heavy dish filled with boiling water.
• You’ll bake them for about 35 to 45 minutes. The crustless pumpkin pies will still be slightly jiggly when done. They will firm up as they sit in the ramekins and cool. Overbaking is not the end of the world, but they might crack in the middle.
• Is it even pumpkin pie without whipped cream? While I love fresh whipped cream like I make for my Gluten Free Strawberries and Cream Cake, I’m a sucker for Cool Whip on my pumpkin pie. #dontjudge
• If you are missing the crust or want something crunchy with the pie, sprinkle some graham cracker or gingersnap crumbs on top.

To make this recipe, you will need:

Here are some more gluten free pumpkin pie alternatives for you…

• Pumpkin Pie Pudding
• Greek Yogurt Pumpkin Cheesecake Tart with Maple Walnut Crust
• Mini Brownie Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse Parfaits
• Nutella Swirl Pumpkin No-Churn Ice Cream
• Flourless Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake from Chelsea’s Messy Apron
• No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse from Snixy Kitchen

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Individual Crustless Pumpkin Pies Recipe

Who needs crust when you can enjoy the best part of the pie in your own single-serving dessert? These mini pumpkin pies are perfect to serve for Thanksgiving or any time you want to satisfy your pumpkin pie craving but don’t want to deal with making a crust. A sweet pumpkin pie filling with the warm spices of cinnamon and ginger is baked in ramekins for a creamy pumpkin custard. I guarantee these are going to be a hit with your friends and family.

I hope you’ll leave a comment and give it a FIVE STAR rating or share a photo on this pin on Pinterest!

5 from 3 votes

Print

Individual Crustless Pumpkin Pies (aka Pumpkin Custards)

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

35 mins

Total Time

50 mins

 

Pumpkin Pie filling, baked in individual ramekins, for those that aren't crust-lovers.

Course: Dessert, Pie

Cuisine: American

Keyword: crustless pumpkin pies

Servings: 6

Calories: 248 kcal

Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips (Slightly adapted from Martha Stewart's Traditional Pumpkin Pie)

Ingredients

• 15 ounces pumpkin puree
• 3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 3 large eggs
• 12 ounces evaporated milk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place 6 ramekins or custard cups in a large baking dish. Heat a pot or teapot of water to boiling, and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, brown sugar, cornstarch, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and eggs.
3. Whisk to combine thoroughly.
4. Add evaporated milk, and stir to combine.
5. Fill the ramekins with the pumpkin mixture. Pour the hot water in the baking dish around the ramekins.

6. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until set in the middle.

7. Remove from the oven, and let cool in the pan until cool enough to handle.
8. Remove the ramekins from the water bath. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

Individual Crustless Pumpkin Pies (aka Pumpkin Custards)

Amount Per Serving (1 g)

Calories 248 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 6g 9%

Saturated Fat 3g 15%

Cholesterol 109mg 36%

Sodium 301mg 13%

Potassium 388mg 11%

Total Carbohydrates 40g 13%

Dietary Fiber 2g 8%

Sugars 34g

Protein 7g 14%

Vitamin A 226%

Vitamin C 5.1%

Calcium 20.8%

Iron 10.3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Enjoy!

This recipe was originally published on November 27, 2010, and was updated with new photos and a video on November 17, 2016.