According to a special request, this is the second time I make Crème brûlée (also known as burnt cream, crema catalana, or Trinity cream; a dessert consisting of a rich custard base topped with a contrasting layer of hard caramel). This is also the first time I use my new Crème brûlée kit, which has four ramekins and a hand-held torch. With the torch's help, the caramel sugar on top is more evenly brown and crunchy when it firms up. Also, I use more berries and chocolate in decorating this time. The pictures turn out much more beautiful than the first time. But more important, my friend really enjoys the custard

Ingredients:
8 egg yolks
1/3 cup granulated white sugar
2 cups heavy cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup granulated white sugar for carmelizing



Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is thick and pale yellow.

Add cream and vanilla and continue to whisk until well blended. Strain into a large bowl
,skimming off any foam or bubbles. Divide mixture among 6 ramekins or custard cups.

Prepare an oven-going water bath by using a pan large enough to hold the six ramekins without touching.
Put the ramekins in the pan and put on the center rack of the oven, then carefully fill the pan with warm water until the level reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Close the door and begin timing.

Bake until set around the edge but still loose in the center, about 40 to 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and leave in the water bath until cooled. Remove cups from water bath and chill for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.

When ready to serve, sprinkle about 2 teaspoons of sugar over each custard. Carmelize the sugar with a small hand-held torch or place the ramekins under the broiler until the sugar melts. Rechill custards for a few minutes before serving.



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BONUS: My photo of these lovely Vanilla Creme Brulee is selected on foodEpix.com with code #1737. Check it out here:
http://www.foodepix.com/2011/12/16/vanilla-creme-brulee/

You can also view my photo gallery on this website here:
http://www.foodepix.com/author/trangskitchen/