Maple-Apple Sponge Custards

Maple-Apple Sponge Custards

Directions

  1. HEAT oven to 350°F. DIVIDE apples evenly among six 6-oz. greased custard cups, reserving a few pieces for garnish, if desired. PLACE cups in 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan.

  2. MIX sugar and flour in medium bowl. STIR IN egg yolks, milk, syrup, butter and vanilla until blended.

  3. BEAT egg whites with cream of tartar in mixer bowl with whisk attachment on high speed  just until whites are stiff but not dry, and no longer slip when bowl is tilted. Gently but thoroughly FOLD yolk mixture into whites until color is uniform. POUR over apples, dividing evenly, about 2/3 cup each.

  4. PLACE pan on a rack in the center of a 350°F oven; pour very hot water into pan to within 1/2 inch of top of cups. BAKE until wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. REMOVE cups from water bath at once; COOL on wire rack at least 10 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 3 large EGG yolks
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped peeled crisp apple, such as Granny Smith
  • 1/4 to 1/3 cup sugar, as desired, depending on tartness of apples
  • 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 Tbsp. butter, melted
  • 1/4 tsp. vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar

Tips

  • Serve this simple melt-in-your mouth custard warm or refrigerate until cold. Garnish with apple, whipped cream and fresh mint.
  • Don’t skip the hot-water bath. A hot-water bath, or bain-marie, insulates the custard from the direct heat of the oven and promotes even cooking so the edges don’t overcook before the center is done. Very hot tap water will do.
  • Egg temperature: It’s easiest to separate eggs cleanly when they are refrigerator cold; however, egg whites whip up to greater volume when they’ve had a chance to warm up a bit, 20 to 30 minutes. Always begin by separating the eggs. Let the whites stand at room temperature while you prepare the other ingredients.

To ensure food safety, eggs should be cooked until both the yolk and the white are firm. Consuming raw or undercooked eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially for those with certain medical conditions. For recipes that call for eggs that are raw or undercooked when the dish is served, use either pasteurized shell eggs that have been treated to destroy Salmonella, or use pasteurized egg products.

Click here for more food safety information.