Nitrate & Nitrite Free Caramel Custard

Few desserts feel as quietly luxurious as a silky custard with a pool of amber caramel cascading down its sides. This one is built entirely from whole milk, eggs, sugar, and a pinch of salt — nothing processed, nothing cured, nothing that raises a flag for those avoiding added nitrates or nitrites. That matters more than people realize with packaged desserts, which can contain preservatives and additives that sneak in under unfamiliar names. Here, every ingredient is exactly what it sounds like, so you know precisely what's going into each ramekin. The technique does all the heavy lifting: a slow water bath coaxes the custard into that signature trembling, spoonable texture, while the caramel is made from scratch in a single saucepan with just sugar and water. Tempering the eggs carefully and straining the mixture before baking keeps the final result impossibly smooth. It's the kind of elegant, from-scratch dessert that feels like a special occasion but relies on nothing more than pantry staples and a little patience.

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