Malted Pumpkin Custard
This custard came about because my friend Joe brought me some malted ice cream one day. We started talking about malt. We wondered what malt was exactly and why did we like it so much.
Malt is a sprouted grain, usually barley, that is dried after it has sprouted. It had a unique flavor that is used in baking, beer making and desserts to name a few. For this recipe I used malted milk powder, which also contains some sugar and dairy.
You can also buy diastatic malt, which I use in bread baking and malt syrup. Let’s not forget how good malt vinegar is on fries.
So back to this recipe. I decided to make a custard base, using whole eggs. I like the texture of the final product. Plus, since I was using a fair amount of pumpkin, I liked the eggs for a little added fat in the recipe. The first time I made it, a couple of friends were over. I put it in the ice cream maker while we were having dinner. Both of them loved it. I knew I had to make it again.
I might have used more than a cup of pumpkin with the latest batch. I know it was at least a cup. It doesn’t matter a whole lot in the scheme of things, but the pumpkin flavor was more pronounced in the batch I made last night. I was fine with that.
I used pumpkin this time, but you can just as easily use other winter squash like butternut or Hubbard.
So here is the recipe. I think you’ll like it as much as we did.
Malted Pumpkin Custard
4 eggs
1 c. half and half
¾ c. sugar
1 c. cooked pumpkin puree – you can use other winter squash
½ c. malted milk powder
1 t. cinnamon
½ t. nutmeg
½ t. salt
In medium saucepan combine eggs, half and half and sugar. Whisk ingredients together. Cook over medium low heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and bubbles. Be careful not to scramble the eggs. If the mixture does get lumpy, you can press it through a fine strainer to remove lumps. Let the mixture cool down a little then stir in the remaining ingredients. You can add more or less seasonings according to your taste. When you freeze it, the flavors will be less pronounced. It will taste less sweet, too. Chill mixture several hours or overnight. Freeze using an ice cream maker for best results. Makes about 1 quart.
