Description
This Creamy Pumpkin Orange Dessert with Agar-Agar is a deliciously light and refreshing treat, perfect for those who love the combination of creamy textures and the sweetness of pumpkin. The dessert is enhanced with zesty orange flavors and a rich hint of condensed milk. Agar-agar, a plant-based gelatin alternative, helps set the dessert beautifully while maintaining its smooth consistency. This recipe is ideal for fall, highlighting seasonal ingredients like pumpkin and citrus, but can be enjoyed year-round for any occasion. Whether you’re serving it as a light dessert after dinner or preparing it for a special event, this delightful dessert will impress your guests with its balanced flavors and unique texture.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 egg
- 1 liter milk
- 80g starch (cornstarch or potato starch)
- 150g condensed milk
- 30g butter
- 400g pumpkin (peeled and cubed)
- 100g sugar
- 1 orange (zested and juiced)
- 15g agar-agar powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Pumpkin:
- Start by peeling and cutting the pumpkin into small cubes. Place the pumpkin in a saucepan and add enough water to cover it. Boil the pumpkin until it’s soft and tender, which should take about 10-15 minutes.
- Once cooked, drain the water and mash the pumpkin until smooth, using a blender or a fork. Set the pumpkin puree aside to cool.
- Cook the Agar-Agar Mixture:
- In a small saucepan, combine 500ml of the milk and the agar-agar powder. Stir well to dissolve the agar-agar. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly to ensure the agar-agar dissolves completely.
- Once the mixture boils, lower the heat and simmer for another 2-3 minutes to activate the agar-agar. Set aside, but keep it warm as agar-agar sets quickly when cooled.
- Prepare the Custard Base:
- In another saucepan, whisk together the remaining 500ml of milk, 80g starch, and the sugar until smooth. Ensure there are no lumps.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg and slowly whisk it into the milk mixture.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly until the mixture begins to thicken and resembles a custard. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, then stir in the condensed milk and butter, mixing until smooth and creamy.
- Combine the Pumpkin with the Custard:
- Add the mashed pumpkin puree to the custard mixture, stirring until the pumpkin is fully incorporated. You should have a smooth, thick, creamy base at this point.
- Add the zest and juice of the orange, mixing well to incorporate the citrus flavor into the dessert. The orange adds a bright, refreshing contrast to the sweet pumpkin.
- Mix the Agar-Agar into the Custard:
- Gradually pour the warm agar-agar mixture into the pumpkin custard, stirring continuously. The agar-agar will help the dessert set without losing its creamy texture.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar or condensed milk if necessary.
- Pour into Molds and Chill:
- Pour the pumpkin-orange mixture into individual serving molds or a large dessert dish. Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Let the dessert cool to room temperature before transferring it to the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours, or until fully set.
- Serve:
- Once set, gently remove the dessert from the molds (if using individual molds). You can garnish with additional orange zest, whipped cream, or a drizzle of condensed milk for added indulgence.
- Serve chilled for a light, creamy, and refreshing dessert that melts in your mouth.
- Prep Time: 15mins
- Cook Time: 20mins