Xanthan Gum Free Vanilla Pear Custard Cups

Silky, fragrant, and genuinely elegant, these vanilla pear custard cups are the kind of dessert that looks like it came from a proper bistro but comes together with a handful of pantry staples. Real vanilla bean steeped in warm whole milk gives the custard a depth that extract simply can't match, and the gentle water bath bake keeps the texture impossibly smooth and creamy. Many store-bought or packaged custard mixes sneak in stabilizers and thickeners that can be hard to track down on a label — here, the set comes entirely from egg yolks and careful temperature control, exactly the way classic custard was always meant to work. The poached pears on top are a quiet showstopper: simmered in a light sugar syrup until just tender, they add a floral sweetness and a soft contrast to the rich, cool custard beneath them. Patience is the main skill required — letting the custard chill fully before topping it with those glossy pear slices makes every spoonful clean and perfectly layered. This is a dessert worth making ahead, and it rewards you for it.

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