Crème Brûlée:
make it at home
make it at home
The name, Crème Brûlée, is actually French for "burnt cream" -- and is a deliciously rich custard-based dessert topped with caramelized sugar.
It is also known as flan or custard, and also for its popular variation, Crème Caramel (which instead features soft caramel on top).
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine heavy cream, remaining sugar and vanilla bean (split in half length-wise and scrape seeds into cream). Bring mixture to a simmer, but do not boil.
While whisking, slowly pour hot (but not boiling) cream mixture into egg mixture. Pour mixture through a single cheese cloth into another bowl.
Fill ramekins with custard and place on a sheet tray. Fill tray with warm water halfway up the side of ramekins. Turn oven to 280 degrees F. Place tray in oven and bake for 40-50 minutes.
Remove ramekins from tray and cool for 30 minutes. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
2. Take flame of blowtorch and pass evenly over sugar surface until sugar is caramelized as a hardened coating with a brownish hue (take care not to burn sugar or custard).
3. Add a second thin layer of sugar over the first, and repeat step 2.
Makes 6 servings
Recipe courtesy of Colorado Chef Bob Holloway, Eggland's Best Eggs, via the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
Ingredients
- 8 egg yolks
- 1 quart heavy cream
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 vanilla bean
- Pinch salt
Directions
In a mixing bowl, gently whisk egg yolks, salt and 1/3 cup of sugar. Don't let it get too foamy.In a saucepan over medium heat, combine heavy cream, remaining sugar and vanilla bean (split in half length-wise and scrape seeds into cream). Bring mixture to a simmer, but do not boil.
While whisking, slowly pour hot (but not boiling) cream mixture into egg mixture. Pour mixture through a single cheese cloth into another bowl.
Fill ramekins with custard and place on a sheet tray. Fill tray with warm water halfway up the side of ramekins. Turn oven to 280 degrees F. Place tray in oven and bake for 40-50 minutes.
Remove ramekins from tray and cool for 30 minutes. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Caramelized Sugar Glaze
- 1/4 cup sugar
- Blowtorch (household or industrial) and butane fuel
Directions
1. Sprinkle a pinch of sugar over entire surface of custard.2. Take flame of blowtorch and pass evenly over sugar surface until sugar is caramelized as a hardened coating with a brownish hue (take care not to burn sugar or custard).
3. Add a second thin layer of sugar over the first, and repeat step 2.
Makes 6 servings
Recipe courtesy of Colorado Chef Bob Holloway, Eggland's Best Eggs, via the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
