Creme Brulee

Well -- here's the infamous Creme Brulee I've been wanting to post since I made it! This is by far my favorite dessert! It was actually not super hard to make like I thought it would be it's just very touchy. It turned out really good but I still need to make it a few times to get the consistency just right. But here's the recipe I followed and seems to be the best from all the one's out there. A friend of ours (Brant) came up w/it and kind of made it his own so I'll give him credit! Have fun w/this one, I know I did and will time and time again!

5 egg yolks
1/3 cup sugar
2 cups heavy cream
1 vanilla bean
fresh fruit (optional)
powdered sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 325. Whisk egg yolks & sugar in a medium bowl until smooth. Cut vanilla bean in half down the center & scrape the inside seeds/granules w/a knife & add to the heavy cream. In a saucepan bring the cream to a light boil (just right when you start seeing little bubbles in the cream). Pour cream into eggs & sugar mixture gradually (not all at once) constantly whisking.

Set 6 ramekins into a 9x11 glass casserole dish. Pour very hot water into the glass dish so the ramekins are sitting in the water (about 2 cups of hot water). Pour mixture evenly into ramekins so there all equal amounts. Let sit for 1 minute, then put into oven for about 30 - 35 minutes or until cream is set.

Cream is set when it's mostly firm. Allow ramekins to sit in water dish out of the oven for a couple minutes or until firm, remove ramekins from water dish onto a cooling rack and cool to room temperature. Place in refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Just before serving add a thin layer of sugar to the top & torch until golden brown. (I've heard another way to brown if you don't have a kitchen torch is to put your oven on broil and put them in until sugar is golden or dark brown.) Serve Immediately.

It's also good to top w/your favorite fresh fruit either on the Creme Brulee itself or on the side if you put your ramekin on a plate. Then top w/powdered sugar. Just a fun finishing touch to a delicious dessert! Good luck and if anyone tries it comment on it and let me know your thoughts!