Description
A classic French dessert with a creamy custard base and a contrasting crunchy caramelized sugar topping.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (or super fine sugar)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Place four 6-ounce ramekins inside a large baking dish.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream, salt, and half (2 tablespoons) of the sugar. Heat over medium heat until just simmering. Do not boil. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, gently whisk the egg yolks and the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar until just combined and pale yellow.
- Slowly temper the egg yolks by whisking about 1/2 cup of the hot cream mixture into the yolks.
- Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the remaining hot cream, whisking gently until fully incorporated.
- Pour the custard mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into the prepared ramekins. Skim off any bubbles.
- Pour hot water into the baking dish, ensuring the water level reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the custard edges are set but the center jiggles slightly.
- Remove the ramekins from the water bath and cool completely on a wire rack.
- Cover the ramekins tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- Before serving, blot any condensation off the tops with a paper towel.
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar over each custard.
- Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar until it melts and forms a deep amber crust.
- Serve immediately or let sit for a few minutes until the topping hardens and cracks when tapped.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, try infusing the cream with citrus zest or coffee before heating.
- If using a broiler to caramelize the sugar, watch closely to avoid burning.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ramekin
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 210mg