Welcome to the merging of two worlds of dessert: non-dairy coconut custard and pumpkin, fall’s favorite harvest.

They may not seem like a natural pair, but trust us, it’s a match made in creamy, dreamy fall heaven.

This dessert is also a great option for autumn gatherings where friends or family with food intolerances are in attendance and pie isn’t a possibility. (Translation: It makes an excellent dessert option for that gluten-free and/or dairy-free relative at Thanksgiving who can’t eat the apple pie with ice cream a la mode.)

Pumpkin puree: You can go with a store-bought version, or you can make your pumpkin puree from scratch. If you choose the homemade route, simply choose a small roasting pumpkin. Cut it in half, scoop out the seeds and stringiness and place cut side down on a lined baking sheet. Roast for about 1 hour at 400℉, or until the flesh is soft. Once it’s done, throw the roasted pumpkin into a food processor and blend until smooth.

Recipe tips:

1. Baking the custard in the water bath will help prevent it from cracking or curdling. So don’t skip that step. The water, when it heats up, will also help the custard to cook slowly and evenly. This will add to the creamy quotient, which is what custards are all about!

2. To test if the custard is done, insert a sharp knife about one inch from the side of the cup. The knife should come out clean; the center may still have a little jiggle, but it’ll continue to cook after it’s out of the oven.