Maple Crème Custard with Salted Hazelnut Caramel Sauce

Crème custard is already a comforting dessert, but when you combine it with the rich, toasty flavor of maple and finish it off with a salted hazelnut caramel sauce, you’re truly in for a treat. Maple Crème Custard with Salted Hazelnut Caramel Sauce is the dessert you didn’t know you were missing in your life. Imagine a silky smooth custard with just the right amount of maple sweetness, paired with a decadent caramel sauce made from hazelnuts and a pinch of sea salt. Trust me, this is one of those desserts that will have everyone at the table asking for the recipe!

Why You’ll Love Maple Crème Custard with Salted Hazelnut Caramel Sauce

Indulgent and Elegant: This custard feels like a luxury dessert, with its silky texture and complex flavors. It’s perfect for special occasions or when you just want to treat yourself to something special.

Sweet and Salty Combo: The contrast between the sweet maple crème custard and the rich, salty hazelnut caramel sauce is a flavor match made in heaven. You get the best of both worlds with every bite!

Make-Ahead Friendly: The custard is easy to make ahead of time and will only get better as it sits in the fridge, giving you the perfect dessert to prep in advance for busy days or dinner parties.

Customizable: If you’re not a fan of hazelnuts, feel free to swap them out for another nut like pecans or almonds. You can even adjust the salt level in the caramel sauce to your liking.

Impressive Presentation: Whether you’re serving it in cute individual ramekins or one big dish, this dessert looks as beautiful as it tastes, making it an impressive option for dinner parties or holiday meals.

Ingredients

For the Maple Crème Custard

Eggs
Eggs create the smooth, rich texture that’s characteristic of custard. They help bind everything together and give the dessert its signature creamy mouthfeel.

Heavy Cream
This rich cream makes the custard velvety and indulgent, providing the perfect base for the sweet maple flavor.

Maple Syrup
Pure maple syrup gives the custard its signature sweetness, adding a warm, earthy flavor that’s perfect for fall and winter desserts.

Sugar
A little bit of sugar enhances the sweetness of the custard and helps balance out the richness of the cream.

Vanilla Extract
A dash of vanilla brings depth to the custard, rounding out the flavors without overpowering the maple.

Salt
Just a pinch of salt to bring out the sweetness and enhance the flavors.

For the Salted Hazelnut Caramel Sauce

Sugar
Sugar is the base of the caramel sauce. When it melts, it turns into a rich, golden syrup that will form the backbone of the sauce.

Butter
Butter is essential for creating a creamy caramel sauce. It adds richness and gives the sauce that smooth, glossy texture.

Heavy Cream
This cream adds richness and helps balance the sweetness of the caramel, making it nice and smooth.

Salt
A pinch of sea salt adds contrast to the sweetness of the caramel, enhancing the overall flavor of the sauce.

Hazelnuts
Toasted hazelnuts bring a warm, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the caramel and adds a little crunch to the sauce.

(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions

Let’s create a dessert that will have everyone swooning!

Prepare the Maple Crème Custard

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Place 4-6 ramekins in a baking dish.
2. In a medium saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until just simmering, but not boiling.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, maple syrup, and salt until smooth and well-combined.
4. Slowly pour the hot cream into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling. Once combined, add the vanilla extract.
5. Pour the custard mixture evenly into the prepared ramekins.
6. Carefully pour hot water into the baking dish around the ramekins, filling the dish about halfway up the sides of the ramekins (this is called a water bath).
7. Bake the custards for 40-45 minutes, or until the custards are set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
8. Let the custards cool to room temperature before transferring them to the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours or until ready to serve.

Make the Salted Hazelnut Caramel Sauce

1. In a medium saucepan, heat the sugar over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it melts into a golden-brown liquid. Be careful not to burn it.
2. Once the sugar has melted, add the butter and stir until smooth and combined.
3. Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly. The mixture will bubble up, but keep stirring until smooth.
4. Add the sea salt and stir to combine. Remove from the heat and let the sauce cool for a few minutes.
5. Stir in the toasted hazelnuts, and your salted hazelnut caramel sauce is ready to drizzle.

Serve and Enjoy

1. Once the maple crème custards have chilled, drizzle the salted hazelnut caramel sauce over the top of each custard.
2. Serve immediately, or keep chilled until ready to serve. Garnish with additional chopped hazelnuts if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 6
Calories per serving: 410

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours (including chilling time)

How to Serve Maple Crème Custard with Salted Hazelnut Caramel Sauce

As a Standalone Dessert: This custard is rich enough to stand alone as a decadent dessert, but it’s elevated to another level with the salted hazelnut caramel sauce. Serve it in individual ramekins for a sophisticated presentation.

With Whipped Cream: For an extra touch of indulgence, add a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. You could also serve with some crushed graham crackers for a fun crunch!

On Special Occasions: This is a great dessert for a holiday meal, a special dinner, or as a sweet treat for guests. The combination of maple, caramel, and hazelnuts is sure to impress!

Additional Tips

Toast Hazelnuts: For the best flavor, toast your hazelnuts in the oven for a few minutes before adding them to the caramel sauce. This brings out their natural nuttiness and adds an extra layer of flavor.

Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer your custard to be sweeter, feel free to add a little more maple syrup or sugar to taste. Keep in mind that the caramel sauce will also add sweetness, so balance accordingly.

Make Ahead: The custard can be made a day or two ahead of time, and the caramel sauce can be prepared and stored in the fridge for up to a week. Just reheat the sauce gently before serving.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I use a different nut instead of hazelnuts?
A1: Yes, you can! Pecans or almonds would make excellent substitutes if you’re not a fan of hazelnuts.

Q2: Can I make the custard without maple syrup?
A2: Yes, you can substitute the maple syrup with honey or another flavored syrup, but keep in mind the flavor will change.

Q3: Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for the custard?
A3: Half-and-half can be used, but the custard won’t be quite as rich and creamy as when using heavy cream.

Q4: Can I make the caramel sauce without butter?
A4: Butter adds richness to the caramel sauce, but if you need a dairy-free version, you can try using coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute.

Q5: Can I make this dessert ahead of time?
A5: Yes! You can make the custard and caramel sauce ahead of time. Just chill the custards in the fridge and reheat the caramel sauce before serving.

Q6: Can I freeze the custard?
A6: While the custard will freeze, the texture may change slightly once thawed. It’s best to store it in the fridge for the best results.

Q7: How do I know when the custard is set?
A7: The custard is done when the edges are set, and the center is slightly jiggly. It will firm up more as it cools.

Q8: Can I add other flavors to the custard?
A8: Absolutely! You can add a touch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a little bourbon to give the custard a unique twist.

Q9: Can I use store-bought caramel sauce instead of making my own?
A9: While homemade caramel sauce adds a special touch, you can certainly use store-bought caramel sauce in a pinch.

Q10: How do I store leftovers?
A10: Store any leftover custard in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The caramel sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.

Conclusion

Maple Crème Custard with Salted Hazelnut Caramel Sauce is the perfect dessert for any occasion when you want to impress with minimal effort. With a velvety custard base, maple sweetness, and a rich, nutty caramel sauce, this dessert is sure to become a new favorite. Whether you’re enjoying it on a cozy night in or serving it to guests, it’s guaranteed to be a hit. So go ahead, indulge in this silky-smooth treat—you deserve it!

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