For this dessert, I got to play with blowtorches. How awesome is that? I can think of nothing better. I was going to make a Cooking Light recipe, but then I found this one, which doesn’t have any “lowfat powdered milk” business, just cream, eggs, and sugar, basically. I kept the flavoring from the other one though, because I loved the idea, and that the orange/cinnamon would give the dish an exotic flair (get out your maracas!) If you do all of the cooking the day before, then all you’ll have to do is get out your blowtorch the day of.  When I tasted this the night before, I thought it was way too sweet, but it ended up being just fine.  The cinnamon and orange flavor were very subtle - so subtle in fact that I should have used more or let it steep longer if I really wanted to make that kind of impression.

This was my first time making creme brulee.  It is not photogenic, especially on wood tables.  It looks so yellow!  I was quite impressed with the ease of the blowtorch action, though.  And so much fun!

• 5 large egg yolks
• 6 Tbs sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• 1″ square piece of orange rind
• 1″ long cinnamon stick
• 6 tsp. granulated sugar for caramelizing
• 1 1/2 c. whipping cream

Heat cream over medium heat until small bubbles form at edges but DO NOT BOIL. (Steam!) Add orange rind and cinnamon stick, cover, and let steep 10 minutes. Remove orange and cinnamon. Let cool to room temperature. Add vanilla and egg yolks, whisk to combine. Gradually whisk in sugar. Pour into custard cups or ramekins (divide among 6.) Place into 13×9 pan, and fill halfway with water. Bake 35-40 minutes at 325, until custard is set. Remove custards from pan, and allow to cool to room temp before putting into the fridge. Chill overnight. Sprinkle with remaining sugar (1 tsp each,) blast with blowtorch

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 9th, 2008 at 8:05 pm and is filed under sweets. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.