Best Burnt Custard Recipes

CREMA CATALANA / SPANISH BURNT CREAM CUSTARD

Steps:

• Bring the milk, cream, vanilla, orange rind and cinnamon (if using) to a boil over low heat.
• Remove from the heat and let it cool down.
• Strain the milk and cream mixture to remove the vanilla bean, orange peel strips and cinnamon stick.
• Mix the egg yolks and ½ cup of regular sugar until you obtain a thick creamy mixture.
• Dissolve the cornstarch in ¼ cup of milk mixture, the stir it back into the remaining milk.
• Mix the milk in with the eggs and sugar, place it in a double boiler pan (or in a heat resistant glass bowl in a pan of water baño Maria style) over medium low heat, and stirring consistently until the cream thickens, do not let it boil.
• Cool the cream and pour into the ramekins or cazuelas.
• Chill for 24 hours or overnight.
• When ready to serve sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the raw sugar over each ramekin or cazuela, heat the iron and press it against the sugar until it is burnt. You may also use a torch or place it under the broiler in the oven.
• Serve immediately.

BURNT-CARAMEL CUSTARDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F. Place cream in a medium saucepan; scrape in seeds from vanilla bean and add pod. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat; set aside.
• Bring 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Boil, swirling pan occasionally and brushing down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush, until mixture turns a deep amber color, about 4 minutes; remove caramel from heat.
• Remove vanilla pod from cream; discard. Slowly add cream to caramel (mixture will bubble vigorously). Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth, about 2 minutes.
• Whisk egg yolks, kosher salt, and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a large bowl. Slowly stream in caramel cream, whisking constantly. Divide custard among eight 6-ounce ramekins or ovenproof bowls and place in a kitchen towel-lined large baking dish or roasting pan. Fill pan with water to come halfway up sides of ramekins. Bake until custard is just set but still jiggly in the center, 60-70 minutes. Remove ramekins from baking dish; place on a wire rack and let cool. Chill custards, uncovered, at least 3 hours.
• Top custards with whipped cream and sprinkle with sea salt.
• DO AHEAD: Custards can be made 2 days ahead; cover and keep chilled.

CLINKERDAGGER'S BURNT CREME

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350*. Heat cream over low heat til bubbles form around edge of pan. Beat egg yolks and sugar together until thick (about 3 minutes). Gradually beat cream into egg yolks. Stir in vanilla and pour into 6 (6 oz.) custard cups. Place custard cups in baking pan that has about 1/2" of water in the bottom. Bake until set- about 45 minutes. Remove custard cups from water and refrigerate until chilled. Sprinkle each custard cup with 2 teaspoons sugar. Place on top rack under broiler and cook until topping is medium brown. Chill again before serving.