Maple Syrup Creme Brulee
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 vanilla bean
- 1 small egg
- 3 large egg yolks
- 7 tablespoons Grade B maple syrup
- 4 tablespoons demarara sugar, for topping
- 6 (4-ounce) brulee molds
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Pour the heavy cream into a non-reactive saucepan and place over medium heat.
- While the cream is heating, slice the vanilla bean in half lengthwise, using a sharp paring knife.
- Separate the seeds from the skin by scraping the bean with the knife.
- Place the seeds and skin in the heating cream.
- Scald the cream by heating it until bubbles start to form around the edge of the pan.
- Remove from the heat.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole egg, egg yolks, and maple syrup until well blended.
- Continue to whisk while slowly pouring the hot cream into the egg mixture and whisk until the mixture is smooth and homogenous in color.
- Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the vanilla bean pieces and overcooked eggs.
- Your next step will be made easier if you strain the mixture into a large measuring cup with a spout.
- Place the molds on a baking sheet with 1-inch-high sides.
- Fill the molds half-full with the custard and set the sheet in the oven (it?s much easier to transfer the sheet with the molds only half-full).
- Now, finish filling the molds to the top.
- It is important to fill the molds to the top, as the custard will lose volume as it bakes.
- Traditionally, creme brulee is baked in a hot water bath to insulate the custard from the direct heat of the oven and to keep the eggs from cooking too fast, which would cause them to separate.
- Using hot water from the tap, pour enough water into the baking sheet to reach halfway up the sides of the molds.
- If you are using a convection oven, however, a water bath is not needed because the even circulation of the air insulates the custard from the direct heat.
- In either case, baking time is approximately the same, about 40 minutes.
- When baked correctly, the custard should tremble slightly when gently shaken.
- If you detect any liquid under the skin, the custard is under baked.
- Put them back in the oven and shake them every 5 minutes or so until they are ready.
- Remove the molds from the water bath and place on a cooling rack for 30 minutes.
- Then refrigerate for 2 hours (or for to 3 days) before serving; the custards will finish setting in the refrigerator.
- Let the water bath cool before removing it from the oven.
- Preheat the broiler.
- If condensation occurs during chilling, carefully blot with a paper towel to remove moisture.
- Place the molds on a clean baking sheet.
- Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of the sugar over the top of the custards.
- It is important to spread the sugar evenly; if it is too thick or too thin in places, the caramelization will not be even across the top.
- When the broiler is hot, place the sheet about 4 inches under the broiler and broil until the sugar is caramelized.
- Keep a close eye on the creme brulee during broiling.
- They are finished when they are light brown.
- Place each mold on a small dessert plate and serve immediately.
- Wine suggestion: Essencia, Quady Winery
heavy cream, vanilla bean, egg, egg yolks, maple syrup, demarara sugar, brulee molds
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/maple-syrup-creme-brulee-recipe.html (may not work)