Pumpkin Custard with a Kick

I used 2% evaporated milk and omitted the cayenne pepper. It was a hit with everyone! This is a heart-healthy, flavorful, creamy dessert with the perfect amount of sweetness using only the 1/3 cup of packed brown sugar. I added half a cinnamon stick to the top of each cooked custard for decoration. For those who chose to have a dollop of freshly-made whipped cream on their custard, I added a half a cinnamon stick to the top of the whipped cream.

Custard was great, but only after doubling the sweetening. Perhaps some people like a barely sweet dessert, but I was skeptical about 1/3 cup of brown sugar when I read the recipe, knowing that a pumpkin pie filling that uses the same amounts of pumpkin and evaporated milk requires about 3/4 cup of sugar for proper sweetening. The orange juice will add some sweetness, but not enough. After tasting the mixture before baking, I doubled the sugar, and it then tasted just right. Be sure to taste for it yourself before you bake it so that you can adjust the sweetness accordingly. Easiest prep is put everything in the blender, then pour to fill the custard cups. No drips, no mess, one thing to wash. I cut the cayenne in half because 1) the bottle was new and potent and 2) I'm a wuss. 1/8 tsp cayenne added plenty of "kick" for me, with a nice, subtle warmth, but no bite. Absolute perfection! This recipe works equally well with mashed cooked, peeled sweet potato or squash (you need 2 cups.) Added a little orange peel, which contributed an additional fresh, clean flavor. Have also added 1 Tb dark rum, which gives a lot of depth. I've also made it with Splenda (be sure to refrigerate well, as Splenda can have a funky taste when warm.) All in all, this is a wonderful concept, a keeper recipe. Can be baked in a pie shell, as well. 15 minutes at 425, then turn down to 350 for 45 minutes.