Ingredients
Cream
- 6 Egg Yolks
- 4 Tbsp White Sugar
- ½ Tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2½ Cups Heavy Cream
Method
In a bowl
- 6 Egg Yolks
- 4 Tbsp White Sugar
- ½ Tsp Vanilla Extract
Whisk together egg yolk, extract and 4 Tbsp of white sugar in a bowl. Get the double boiler up to temp and boil some additional water in a kettle or pot for a later step.
In a saucepan
- 2½ Cups Heavy Cream
Place cream in a pot and slowly heat without letting it come to a boil. I like to keep a temperature gauge handy and take it off the stove at 160ºF. Stir regularly to keep the cream from forming a skin.
In a slow stream, add the cream slowly to the egg/sugar mixture whilst constantly stirring to avoid scrambling the eggs.
Transfer the mixture quickly to a double boiler and set a timer for 3½ minutes. Stirring constantly so the custard will set equally. Towards the end you will notice it beginning to coat the walls of the bowl and spatula.
After 3 ½ minutes, remove the double boiler from the stove and wipe off excess water off the bottom. Pour equal parts into the ramekins using a spatula to coach the remaining custard out of the pot.
Fill the casserole dish with boiling water until the water level is ½ way up the sides of the ramekins. Place into oven for 30 mins.
After 30mins, remove from oven and transfer ramekins carefully out of the water bath onto a cutting board to cool. Place into fridge after ~20Vmins.
When ready to serve, lightly coat each ramekin with a layer of sugar (might not use it all pending on the shape of your ramekins). Using a torch, or oven set to broil, begin to melt the sugar on top. If using a broiler, set a rack nearest to the element and slide the ramekins in for no longer than 20 secs. If more time is required, use 15 second intervals to prevent the custard from getting warm.
*Robin Note - Brown sugar doesn't need to be used and can make it more challenging to caramelize without creating a small fire.
*Robin Note #2 - When removing the ramekins from the oven, the top should have an orange peel like texture. Some very minor discolouring around the edges is a good indication they are done.