Best Crème Caramel Recipes

CREME CARAMEL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place eight 4-ounce ramekins in a large roasting pan. Add 4 tablespoons water to a small pot. Add 1 cup sugar and stir to dissolve. Cook over medium-high, swirling occasionally, until caramel begins to turn amber, 6 to 8 minutes. Working quickly, divide caramel between ramekins, swirling ramekins to coat bottoms evenly, set aside.
• In a medium pot, heat milk over medium until hot, but not boiling. In a medium bowl whisk together whole eggs and yolks, salt, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar. While whisking, ladle some milk into the egg mixture. Whisk in remaining milk, one ladle at a time. Strain through a fine sieve into a large liquid measuring cup, and stir in vanilla. Divide custard evenly among ramekins.
• Transfer roasting pan to oven. Add enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake until custards are just set, about 35 minutes.
• With tongs, remove ramekins from hot water and let cool slightly. Cover and refrigerate until cold, at least 3 hours (or up to 3 days). To unmold, run a sharp knife around inside of each ramekins and invert onto a serving plate, gently shaking to release.

PUMPKIN BREAD PUDDING WITH SPICY CARAMEL APPLE SAUCE AND VANILLA BEAN CREME ANGLAISE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Combine the cream, milk, vanilla bean and seeds in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer.
• Whisk together the yolks, sugar, maple syrup, and pumpkin puree in a large bowl. Slowly whisk in the hot cream mixture until combined, remove the vanilla pod, and whisk in the bourbon. Strain the custard into a clean bowl.
• Scatter the pumpkin bread cubes in a buttered 9 by 13-inch baking glass baking dish. Pour the custard over the bread, pressing down on the bread to totally submerge it in the custard. Let sit for 15 minutes to allow the bread to soak up some of the custard.
• Place the pan in a larger roasting pan and pour hot tap water into the roasting pan until it comes half way up the sides of the glass dish. Bake until the sides are slightly puffed and the center jiggles slightly, about 1 hour.
• Remove from the oven and water bath and cool on a baking rack for at least 30 minutes before serving.
• Spoon some of the Vanilla Bean Creme Anglaise into a shallow bowl, top with some of the bread pudding and drizzle with the Spicy Caramel Apple Sauce. Top with freshly whipped cream. Bread pudding is best served warm.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter or lightly spray the bottom and sides of a 9-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
• Whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a small bowl.
• In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the 4 tablespoons softened butter, sugar, and oil at high speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl a few times.
• Add the pumpkin puree and mix until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix until just incorporated. At low speed, slowly add the flour mixture and water and mix until just combined. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 60 to 75 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a baking rack for 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and let cool completely.
• Once the bread is cool, slice in half lengthwise, and then slice each half into 1/2-inch cubes. Spread the cubes on a large baking sheet and bake in a 325 degree oven until lightly toasted, turning once, about 20 minutes. Let cool.
• Bring the half-and-half and vanilla bean and seeds to a simmer in a medium saucepan.
• Whisk together the yolks and sugar in a medium bowl until at the pale ribbon stage. Slowly whisk in the hot half-and-half, return the mixture to the pot, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture coats the back of the spoon. Strain into a bowl and set over an ice bath. Stir until chilled. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.
• Combine the cream, apple juice, star anise, ginger, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and nutmeg in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and let steep for at least 20 minutes. Strain the mixture into a clean, small saucepan and place back over low heat while you make the caramel.
• Combine the sugar, water and, vinegar in a medium saucepan over high heat and cook without stirring, until it's a deep amber color, about 8 minutes. Slowly whisk in the warm cream mixture a little at a time, and continue whisking until smooth. Add the apple schnapps and cook for 30 seconds longer. Transfer to a bowl and keep warm. The sauce can be made 2 days in advance and refrigerated. Reheat over low heat before serving.

COFFEE-CARAMEL CRèME BRûLéE

Steps:

• Bring 1 cup cream and coffee beans to simmer in heavy small saucepan. Remove from heat; cover and let steep at least 20 minutes and up to 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Stir 2/3 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to boil, brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush. Boil without stirring until syrup is deep amber, swirling pan occasionally, about 11 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Add remaining 1 cup whipping cream (mixture will bubble up). Stir over low heat until caramel is smooth. Stir in half and half. Strain coffee-infused cream into caramel cream; discard coffee beans in strainer.
• Whisk yolks, salt, and remaining 1/3 cup sugar in large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in cream mixture. Strain custard into large measuring cup.
• Arrange eight 2/3- to 3/4-cup ramekins or custard cups in roasting pan. Divide custard among ramekins. Add enough warm water to roasting pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins or custard cups.
• Bake custards until just set in center, 65 to 70 minutes. Transfer custards from water bath directly to refrigerator. Chill uncovered until cold, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.
• Sprinkle top of each custard with 1 teaspoon raw sugar. Using kitchen torch, melt sugar on each custard until deep amber. (Alternatively, preheat broiler. Arrange custards on small rimmed baking sheet; broil until sugar topping melts and browns, about 2 minutes.) Refrigerate custards until sugar topping hardens, at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour (do not chill longer than 1 hour or topping will start to soften). Serve custards cold.

CRèME CARAMEL

Steps:

• Put the sugar in a small frying pan, preferably non-stick, and add the water. Heat slowly, stirring gently with a metal tablespoon until the sugar has dissolved. The base of the pan will no longer feel gritty when you run the spoon over it. (Step 1)
• Increase the heat under the pan and allow the syrup to bubble. As the water is driven off, the syrup will become thicker and the bubbles on the surface will get bigger. Do not stir the syrup during this time. (Step 2)
• Watch the syrup carefully and when it starts to turn golden at the edges, swirl the pan to ensure even colouring. Do not stir it. When the syrup has turned a rich golden caramel colour, remove from heat. (Step 3)
• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Pour the caramel into ramekins. Bring the milk to simmering point.
• Put the eggs and yolks in a bowl with the sugar and whisk lightly together.
• Gradually whisk in the hot milk. Strain into a clean jug and add the vanilla, and liqueur, if using. Pour carefully into the prepared ramekins.
• Pour boiling water from the kettle into a roasting tin to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 15-20 mins until the custards are just set. Leave to cool, then chill for at least 4 hrs, or even overnight. The caramels can be made up to 3 days in advance.
• To turn out each caramel, run the point of a sharp knife around the top edge of each ramekin, place a dessert plate on top and invert. Give the ramekin and plate a sharp shake and carefully remove the ramekin.

CHEF JOHN'S CREME CARAMEL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly spray 4 heatproof 6.5-oz. ramekins with vegetable spray. Place ramekins in a casserole dish.
• Place 1/2 cup sugar in a small, heavy, dry skillet over medium heat. When sugar begins to melt around the edges, gently shake the pan continually, swirling sugar around, until all the sugar melts; don't use utensils to stir. When sugar is completely melted and dark brown, remove the pan from heat.
• Quickly pour equal amounts of caramel syrup into the 4 prepared ramekins.
• Place 1 egg and 3 egg yolks in a bowl with a pinch of salt and 1/4 cup sugar. Whisk until sugar is dissolved and mixture becomes frothy, about 1 minute.
• Spoon the creme fraiche into the egg mixture; add the milk, vanilla, and Grand Marnier. Whisk together until ingredients are completely mixed.
• Ladle mixture into the prepared ramekins, filling them about 2/3 to 3/4 full.
• Fill casserole with hot tap water to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Place casserole on middle rack of preheated oven.
• Bake until just barely set, 45 to 50 minutes. You can start checking for doneness at about 40 minutes.
• Using tongs, remove the ramekins from the casserole to a cooling rack. When just slightly warm, run a sharp paring knife around the edge of each custard.
• To unmold, cover ramekin with a small plate, then invert. Chill before serving.

CREME ANGLAISE FOR CARAMEL-TOPPED SEMOLINA CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare an ice-water bath and set aside. Bring milk and cream to a boil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk yolks and sugar together until well combined and slightly thickened. Slowly whisk in 1/3 of the hot milk mixture until egg mixture is slightly heated, then continue whisking remaining milk mixture into egg mixture. Return mixture to saucepan and place over medium heat; cook, stirring, until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and reaches between 170 and 180 degrees on an instant-read thermometer.
• Remove from heat and strain into a bowl; stir in vanilla. Place bowl in ice-water bath and stir to cool, about 20 minutes. Remove bowl from ice-water bath and cover; transfer to refrigerator for at least 24 hours and up to 3 days before using.

EASY CARAMEL FLAN (CREME CARAMEL)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325.
• Brown sugar in a saucepan till a medium dark golden brown, but not burnt and then QUICKLY transfer to the bottom of a pie plate(you may add a few tablespoons of water to help it melt).
• In a large bowl beat the eggs and then add the 2 cans of milk and vanilla extract, mixing well.
• Pour mixture into pie plate.
• Using a larger pan that the pie plate will fit in, fill half way with the boiling water, place in oven, and then place pie plate in the middle of the large pan.
• Bake for approximately 45 - 55 minutes. The center should be soft and firm but not liquidly.
• Let cool and then after running a knife around the edge to seperate, flip over onto a serving dish.

COFFEE-CARAMEL CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Bring 1 cup cream and coffee beans to a simmer in a heavy small saucepan. Remove from heat; cover and let steep at least 20 minutes and up to 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Stir 2/3 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a heavy medium saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, brushing down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush. Boil without stirring until syrup is deep amber, swirling pan occasionally, about 11 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Add remaining 1 cup whipping cream (mixture will bubble up). Stir over low heat until caramel is smooth. Stir in half and half. Strain coffee-infused cream into caramel cream; discard coffee beans in strainer.
• Whisk yolks, salt, and remaining 1/3 cup sugar in large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in cream mixture. Strain custard into large measuring cup.
• Arrange 8 (2/3 - 3/4 cup) ramekins or custard cups in roasting pan. Divide custard among ramekins. Add enough warm water to roasting pan to come halfway up sides of cups.
• Bake custards until just set in center, 65-70 minutes. Transfer custards from water bath directly to refrigerator. Chill uncovered until cold, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.
• Sprinkle top of each custard with 1 teaspoons raw sugar. Using kitchen torch, melt sugar on each custard until deep amber. (Alternate method - preheat broiler. Arrange custard cups on small rimmed baking sheet; broil until sugar topping melts and browns, about 2 minutes.) Refrigerate custards until sugar topping hardens, at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour (do not chill longer than 1 hour or topping will start to soften). Serve custards cold.

CARAMEL CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. In a large saucepan, heat whipping cream and cream until bubbles form around sides of pan; remove from heat. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, 1 cup sugar, extract and salt until blended but not foamy. Slowly stir in hot cream mixture., Place an ungreased broiler-safe 13x9-in. baking dish in a baking pan large enough to hold it without touching the sides. Pour egg mixture into dish. Place pan on oven rack; add very hot water to pan to within 1 in. of top of dish. Bake until center is just set and top appears dull, 40-50 minutes. Immediately remove dish from water bath to a wire rack; cool 1 hour. Refrigerate until cold., Mix brown sugar and remaining sugar. To caramelize topping with a kitchen torch, sprinkle custard evenly with sugar mixture. Hold torch flame about 2 in. above custard surface and rotate it slowly until sugar is evenly caramelized. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 1 hour., To caramelize topping in a broiler, let custard stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Preheat broiler. Sprinkle custard evenly with sugar mixture. Broil 3-4 in. from heat until sugar is caramelized, 2-3 minutes. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 1 hour.

SALTED CARAMEL POTS DE CRèME

Steps:

• 1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 325°F. Place eight 1/2-cup (4-ounce) ovenproof cups, custard cups, or ramekins in a large baking pan.
• 2. In a large heavy saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the brown sugar and kosher salt. Using the tip of a small sharp knife, scrape the vanilla seeds from the bean, add to the butter mixture, and drop in the bean too. Stir for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture has the texture of thick sand and has taken on a nutty, caramel fragrance.
• 3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and gradually whisk in the cream. The mixture will bubble vigorously and will seize when the cream is added. Whisk for about 5 minutes, or until the hardened sugar bits dissolve and the mixture begins to boil. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the milk.
• 4. In a large bowl, stir the egg yolks to blend. Gradually whisk in the warm caramel mixture. Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a 4-cup liquid measuring cup or a bowl with a spout. Pour the custard into the cups, dividing it equally. Cover the pan with aluminum foil, leaving one corner uncovered. Place the pan in the oven and carefully pour enough hot water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the cups, then cover the open corner with the foil. Bake the custards for about 50 minutes, or until they are just set around the edges but still jiggle slightly when the cups are gently shaken. (Be very careful of escaping steam when you uncover the pan.)
• 5. Remove the cups from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool, about 1 hour. Cover each cup with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours, or up to 2 days.
• 6. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over each pot de crème and serve chilled.
• Storing:
• The pots de crème can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.

CARAMEL APPLE CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Place apples in a microwave-safe dish; cover with water. Cover and microwave on high for 3-4 minutes or until tender. Drain apples and pat dry on paper towel. Arrange apples in the bottoms of six 6-oz. ramekins or custard cups. Top with caramel topping; set aside., In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar and cinnamon; stir in cream. Heat over medium heat until bubbles form around sides of pan. Remove from the heat; stir a small amount of hot mixture into the egg yolks. Return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Stir in vanilla., Pour into prepared ramekins. Place ramekins in a baking pan; add 1 in. of boiling water to pan. Bake, uncovered, at 325° until centers are just set (mixture will jiggle), 55-60 minutes. Remove ramekins from water bath; cool for 20 minutes. Cover and refrigerate overnight., If using a creme brulee torch, sprinkle remaining 4 tablespoons sugar evenly over custards. Heat sugar with the torch until caramelized. Serve immediately., If broiling the custards, place ramekins on a baking sheet; let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Sprinkle remaining 4 tablespoons sugar evenly over custards. Broil 8 in. from the heat for 4-7 minutes or until sugar is caramelized. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm.

SALTED CARAMEL POTS DE CREME

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Heat the heavy cream, milk, vanilla and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat until just starting to bubble. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.
• Make the caramel: Combine the sugar and 1/4 cup water in another small saucepan over medium heat, stirring just until the sugar dissolves. Cook, swirling the pan occasionally but not stirring, until amber, about 10 minutes. Brush any sugar crystals off the side of the pan with a wet pastry brush. Remove from the heat and carefully whisk in the warm cream mixture (the mixture will bubble). Add the chocolate and stir until smooth.
• Whisk the egg yolks in a medium bowl. Whisk about half of the caramel into the yolks, then add the remaining caramel and whisk until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a large liquid measuring cup.
• Divide the mixture among six 6-ounce ramekins. Set the ramekins in a large baking dish, then add enough hot water to come about halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake until the pots de creme are set around the edges but still jiggle in the center, 45 to 50 minutes.
• Remove the ramekins from the water and let cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours or overnight. Sprinkle with salt.

CARAMEL POTS DE CRèME

Steps:

• Center a rack in oven, and heat to 300 degrees. Put 8 4-ounce custard cups or ramekins in a large roasting pan, and set aside. Combine cream and milk, and warm them in a microwave oven or on the stove top.
• Measure out 1/4 cup sugar, and set aside. Place a heavy-bottom metal pot over medium-high heat, and sprinkle in about 2 tablespoons sugar. As soon as sugar melts and starts to caramelize, stir. When color is uniform, stir in 2 more tablespoons sugar, and continue to stir until it is melted and colored. Continue with remaining sugar. When all sugar is mahogany color, stand away from pot, and stir in warm liquid bit by bit. Mixture will bubble furiously and may form lumps; stir to smooth it out. Remove from heat.
• Place yolks, eggs and reserved 1/4 cup sugar in a very large measuring cup with a lip, and whisk to blend. Still whisking, stir in caramel liquid. Skim off foam, and fill custard cups. Set into roasting pan and pour enough hot tap water into pan to come halfway up sides of cups. Cover pan with plastic wrap or foil, poke 2 holes in opposite corners, and bake 35 to 40 minutes or until tops darken and custards jiggle a little in center when tapped. Cool custards in refrigerator; serve at room temperature.

EASY CREME CARAMEL

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 325°F.
• In a medium skillet, combine 1/2 cup of sugar with the water and cook over high heat until deep a deep amber color (about 4 min), swirling the pan occasionally.
• Immediately pour the caramel into an 8-by-4 1/2-by-3in metal loaf pan.
• Make sure you evenly coat the bottom.
• Let caramel harden.
• In a bowl, whisk the remaining (1/2 c.) of sugar, the milk, cream, eggs, and egg yolks.
• Pour custard into the pan with hardened caramel.
• Set this pan in a small baking dish and add enough water in baking dish to reach halfway up the side of the pan.
• Bake for 50 min (or until set around the edges but slightly soft in center).
• Remove pan of custard from baking dish and let cool to room temperature.
• Refrigerate until chilled (at least 4 hours).
• Remove from pan by running a thin knife around the custard and flipping it onto a plate.
• Cut into slices and serve.

LEMON CARAMEL POTS DE CRèME

Steps:

• Position rack in the middle of oven and preheat to 325 degrees. Have ready 6 1/2-cup ramekins or pots-de-crème cups and a baking pan large enough to hold them.
• In a saucepan, bring the cream, zest and coriander seeds just to a boil. Remove from heat, cover and let stand 10 minutes.
• In a heavy saucepan, heat the sugar and a 1/4 cup water over medium heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high and boil, without stirring, until the mixture becomes deep amber, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush and swirling the pan. Carefully whisk in the cream combination. (The mixture will sputter, so be careful.) Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring, until the caramel dissolves. Remove pan from heat.
• Gently whisk together yolks, lemon juice and salt. Very slowly whisk in the hot cream mixture. Strain through a fine sieve or layers of cheesecloth. Let stand about 3 minutes, then spoon off any foam.
• Divide custard among the ramekins, cover with foil (or put lids on the cups) and place them in the baking pan. Add enough hot tap water to come halfway up the sides of ramekins. Bake until custards are just set around edges but trembling in the centers, 40 to 45 minutes for ramekins, 30 to 35 minutes for the cups.
• Remove from the oven and remove ramekins from pan. Let cool and refrigerate, loosely covered, at least 3 hours and up to 24. Serve without unmolding.

CARAMEL POTS DE CREME

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place six 4-ounce ovenproof ramekins or pots de creme in a 13-by-9-by-2-inch roasting pan; set aside.
• Place 1/2 cup sugar in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Cook, without stirring, until sugar has caramelized and is golden brown, about 3 minutes. Swirl pan, dissolving unmelted sugar; reduce heat to low.
• Slowly and carefully whisk in the milk and 1 cup cream. Scrape the vanilla seeds into the pan and add the pod. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil; remove the pan from heat.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together remaining 1/4 cup sugar, egg yolks, and salt; continue whisking until pale yellow in color. Slowly add the hot cream mixture to the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Pour this new mixture through a fine sieve set over a large liquid measuring cup; discard vanilla pod.
• Using a tablespoon or a small ladle, skim the surface to remove any visible air bubbles. Pour approximately 1/2 cup liquid into each ramekin. Fill roasting pan with hot water to within 1 inch of ramekin tops. Cover roasting pan with foil, and poke small holes in two opposite corners for vents.
• Carefully place pan on center oven rack; bake until just set, about 35 minutes. Remove foil; transfer ramekins to a wire rack to cool completely. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate.
• When ready to serve, place the remaining 1/2 cup cream in a chilled mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, whip cream until soft peaks form. Add a dollop of whipped cream to each serving.

COFFEE CRèME CARAMEL

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, stir together 1/4 cup sugar, pinch of salt, and 1 tablespoon water. Cover and cook, without stirring, over medium heat until sugar has dissolved and mixture is bubbling, about 2 minutes. Remove lid; continue to cook, swirling occasionally, until amber, about 2 minutes more. Remove from heat; carefully stir in coffee (mixture will bubble).
• When bubbling subsides, pour caramel into a 3-cup ceramic dish, or divide between two 4-inch ramekins. Tilt to completely coat bottom and halfway up sides. Let cool completely at room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Scrape vanilla seeds into a clean small saucepan; add vanilla pod, half and half, and 1/4 cup sugar. Heat over medium until bubbles form around edges; remove from heat. In a bowl, whisk together eggs and yolk, and remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Slowly whisk into hot half-and-half mixture. Strain through a sieve.
• Pour into dish coated with caramel. Place in a roasting pan on center rack of oven; add boiling water to reach halfway up sides of custard dish. Bake until custard is set around edges and still slightly jiggly in center, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Remove dish from water bath and let cool completely, then refrigerate, uncovered, at least 2 hours and up to overnight. Run a thin, flexible knife around edge of crème caramel to release it. Place a serving plate on top, flip to unmold, and serve.

APPLE CINNAMON CARAMEL CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Whisk heavy cream, egg yolks, and white sugar together in a saucepan over medium heat until smooth, about 5 minutes. Remove custard from heat when it starts to simmer. Whisk in vanilla extract and cinnamon.
• Arrange apple slices in the bottom of six 6-ounce ramekins. Divide caramel topping evenly over apples. Ladle custard over caramel.
• Transfer ramekins to a baking dish. Pour enough warm water into the dish to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
• Bake in the preheated oven until custard is set, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, about 3 hours.
• Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Arrange ramekins on a baking sheet. Sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar over each custard.
• Broil in the preheated oven until sugar is melted and crisp, about 2 minutes.

PUMPKIN BREAD PUDDING WITH SPICY CARAMEL APPLE SAUCE AND VANILLA BEAN CREME ANGLAISE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Combine the cream, milk, vanilla bean and seeds in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Whisk together the yolks, sugar, maple syrup, and pumpkin puree in a large bowl. Slowly whisk in the hot cream mixture until combined, remove the vanilla pod, and whisk in the bourbon. Strain the custard into a clean bowl. Scatter the pumpkin bread cubes in a buttered 9 by 13-inch baking glass baking dish. Pour the custard over the bread, pressing down on the bread to totally submerge it in the custard. Let sit for 15 minutes to allow the bread to soak up some of the custard. Place the pan in a larger roasting pan and pour hot tap water into the roasting pan until it comes half way up the sides of the glass dish. Bake until the sides are slightly puffed and the center jiggles slightly, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and water bath and cool on a baking rack for at least 30 minutes before serving. Spoon some of the Vanilla Bean Creme Anglaise into a shallow bowl, top with some of the bread pudding and drizzle with the Spicy Caramel Apple Sauce. Top with freshly whipped cream. Bread pudding is best served warm.

EASY CREME CARAMEL (PUDIM DE LEITE CONDENSADO)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 140C and boil a full kettle.
• Put everything in the blender APART from the cup of sugar.
• Blend until completely smooth and let it settle.
• Now melt the sugar over a low/medium heat in a dry frying pan. Be careful it doesn't burn and only stir once it has started to turn light brown and syrupy.
• Working quickly, pour the caramel into a 2 pint ceramic dish and swirl around to cover the bottom, be careful as melted sugar can give nasty burns.
• With a spoon, give the mixture in the blender a stir to try and get any air bubbles out and pour over the caramel mixture.
• Place dish in a roasting tin and pour boiling water to come half way up the sides of the creme caramel dish.
• Bake gently for 30 - 40 minutes or until a knife inserted into the centre comes out clean.
• Once cooled, refrigerate overnight or at least 8 hours in a cold fridge.
• To serve, carefully run a knife around the edges, place a large serving platter or plate on top and turn upside down. It should just come out without too much hassle and you'll notice the caramel has doubled in volume.