Gluten Free Vanilla Pear Custard Cups

Silky, fragrant, and naturally elegant, these custard cups are built entirely from ingredients that are inherently free of gluten — whole milk, egg yolks, sugar, a real vanilla bean, and gently poached pears. There's no flour, no thickener, no substitution required; the eggs do all the structural work, setting into a smooth, trembling custard that feels genuinely luxurious. Steeping a split vanilla bean directly in warm milk before combining it with the yolks gives the custard a depth and floral sweetness that extract simply can't match. The water bath is the real secret here — it insulates the ramekins from direct oven heat, coaxing the custard to set slowly and evenly so you get that signature slow wobble rather than a rubbery, overcooked texture. The poached pears on top add a delicate, lightly sweet finish that makes each serving feel like something you'd order at a nice restaurant. This is a wonderful make-ahead dessert since the custards need time to chill and set, meaning most of the work is done well before guests arrive. Elegant enough for a dinner party, simple enough for a quiet weeknight treat.

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