Best Pumpkin Creme Brulee Recipes

PUMPKIN CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• In a medium saucepan, heat the cream, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves over medium heat, stirring occasionally, just until it comes to a boil. Immediately turn off the heat and set aside to infuse at least 15 minutes. In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the granulated sugar. Whisking constantly, gradually pour in the hot cream mixture. Whisk in the pumpkin puree. Pour the mixture into 4 ovenproof ramekins and arrange in a hot water bath. Bake in the center of the oven until almost set but still a bit soft in the center, 30 to 40 minutes. The custard should "shimmy" a bit when you shake the pan; it will firm up more as it cools. Remove from the water bath and let cool 15 minutes. Tightly cover each ramekin with plastic wrap, making sure the plastic does not touch the surface of the custard. Refrigerate at least 2 hours, and up to 24 hours.
• When ready to serve, preheat a broiler to very hot (or fire up your kitchen torch). Uncover the chilled custards. Pour as much coarse sugar as will fit onto the top of 1 of the custards. Pour off the remaining sugar onto the next custard. Repeat until all the custards are coated. Discard any remaining sugar. Place the ramekins on a baking sheet or in a roasting pan and broil until the sugar is melted and well browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Let cool 1 minute before serving.

CHEF JOHN'S PUMPKIN CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Whisk egg yolks and brown sugar together in a large bowl. Stir in heavy cream, pumpkin puree, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
• Divide pumpkin mixture between seven (5-inch) ramekins about 1/2 inch from the top.
• Place the ramekins in a baking dish and fill with the baking dish hot water to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
• Bake in preheated oven until just set, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove ramekins and refrigerate until completely cool, at least 2 hours.
• Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of sugar onto each creme brulee. Melt the sugar with a chef's torch until crisp and dark brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Allow to cool before serving.

CARDAMOM CREME BRULEE PARFAIT WITH CANDIED PUMPKIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper; coat with cooking spray.
• Mix 3/4 cup white sugar, egg yolks, egg, vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon cardamom, and 1/2 teaspoon salt together in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on low speed until well combined.
• Heat cream in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, until it begins to bubble, about 5 minutes; remove from heat. Add cream to the egg mixture slowly, mixing on low speed. Pour custard into the prepared baking dish.
• Set the baking pan into a roasting pan; carefully pour enough boiling water into the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the baking pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the custard is set when gently shaken, 45 to 50 minutes.
• Remove baking pan from roasting pan. Cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Freeze until firm, at least 1 hour.
• Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add brown sugar, salt, 1/4 teaspoon cardamom, and cinnamon; stir to combine. Add frozen pumpkin and simmer, stirring often, until reduced, about 8 minutes. Cool candied pumpkin to room temperature, about 10 minutes.
• Cut custard into 18 squares using a pizza cutter or sharp knife. Place 1 custard square in a serving dish, add a layer of candied pumpkin, and top with another square. Sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon of sugar. Use a kitchen torch to flame tops until deeply caramelized and a crunchy layer has formed.

PUMPKIN PIE CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Place the pumpkins in a large roasting pan, with water coming up 1/2 inch up the sides.
• Bring the cream to a simmer in a medium saucepot. Add the pumpkin puree, brown and granulated sugars, orange liquor, pumpkin spice and salt. Bring the mixture back to a simmer, whisking often. Turn off the heat.
• Place the egg yolks in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of the hot pumpkin mixture, then slowly whisk the warmed egg mixture back into the pot to fully temper. Strain the mixture, then divide it among the pumpkins, filling about three-quarters of the way to the top. Place the roasting pan in the oven and bake until the centers are set, 40 to 45 minutes.
• Carefully remove from the oven. Using a spatula, carefully remove the pumpkins from the pan and place on a sheet tray. Let cool completely at room temperature. Place in the refrigerator until completely chilled, about 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, sprinkle the tops with enough turbinado sugar to cover in a thin, even layer. Torch the sugar with a kitchen torch until melted and caramelized. Place on plates and serve.

PUMPKIN CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks and 1/3 cup sugar. In a small saucepan, heat cream over medium heat until bubbles form around sides of pan. Remove from the heat; stir a small amount of hot cream into egg yolk mixture. Return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Stir in the pumpkin, vanilla and spices., Transfer to eight 6-oz. ramekins or custard cups. Place ramekins in a baking pan; add 1 in. of boiling water to pan. Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 25-30 minutes or until centers are just set (mixture will jiggle). Remove ramekins from water bath; cool for 10 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours., If using a creme brulee torch, sprinkle with remaining sugar. 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 with remaining sugar. Broil 8 in. from the heat for 4-7 minutes or until sugar is caramelized. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm.

PUMPKIN PIE CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Divide the crust into 8 (6-ounce) custard cups. Put them into a 9 by 13-inch baking dish or roasting pan and blind bake in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.
• In a medium sauce pot, over medium-high heat, add 2 cups of the cream, the spices, the vanilla seeds and the vanilla bean pod. Bring to a boil and remove from heat.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the yolks with the sugar until the mixture is pale yellow and the sugar is dissolved.
• Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of cream and the 1/2 cup of milk to the cream and spice mixture. Slowly incorporate the yolk and sugar mixture, then strain through a medium-size sieve. Whisk in the pumpkin puree.
• Divide the pumpkin mixture evenly into the custard cups lined with the crust.* Add the hot water into the baking dish or roasting pan to create a hot bath and put the pan into the oven. Bake until the custard is starting to set, yet still a little wiggly in the middle, about 35 to 45 minutes. Remove the brulee from the oven and let cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 6 hours.
• Lightly sprinkle each custard with the turbinado sugar. Heat the sugar with a butane torch until caramelized. To get a thick caramelized sugar crust, repeat this, with just a light sprinkling each time. Allow to cool and serve.
• *Guy's Tip: if you happen to have any leftover creme brulee mixture, pour it into a baking dish and put it into another roasting pan. Add hot water about halfway up the sides of the dish and bake until custard is starting to set, yet still a little wiggly in the middle, about 35 to 45 minutes. Remove and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 6 hours. Refer to recipe for caramelizing sugar on top after it has cooled completely.
• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, pulse the crackers and pecans until finely ground, about 6 to 10 (3-second) pulses. Add the melted butter and brown sugar and pulse to combine. Press into the bottom of a springform pan, baking dish, or 8 (6-ounce) ramekins.

PUMPKIN CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300°F.
• In a medium saucepan, heat the cream, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves over medium heat, stirring occasionally, just until it comes to a boil. Immediately turn off the heat and set aside to infuse at least 15 minutes.
• In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the granulated sugar. Whisking constantly, gradually pour in the hot cream mixture. Whisk in the pumpkin puree.
• Strain mixture into a large glass measuring cup (the measuring cup makes it easier to pour into the ramekins without mess).
• Bake in the center of the oven until almost set but still a bit soft in the center, 30 to 40 minutes. The custard should "shimmy" a bit when you shake the pan; it will firm up more as it cools.(Center Temp will be between 161F-168F).
• Remove from the water bath and let cool 15 minutes. Tightly cover each ramekin with plastic wrap, making sure the plastic does not touch the surface of the custard.
• Refrigerate at least 2 hours, and up to 24 hours. Uncover the chilled custards. Pour as much coarse sugar as will fit onto the top of 1 of the custards. Pour off the remaining sugar onto the next custard. Repeat until all the custards are coated. Discard any remaining sugar.
• Fire up your kitchen torch and melt/brown the sugar. (You can do this under a broiler, but I feel it heats up the brulee too much. You want the top crisp but the brulee cold and that result is difficult with a broiler. If you love brulees like I do--buy a torch!).
• Let cool 1 minute before serving.

PUMPKIN SPICE CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Beat egg yolks in a large bowl; mix in 1/3 cup sugar and salt.
• Combine heavy cream, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract in a pot over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the temperature of the liquid reaches 158 degrees F (70 degrees C), 2 to 4 minutes; do not overheat.
• Pour hot cream mixture slowly into the beaten egg yolks. Pour cream-egg mixture slowly through a sieve into a separate bowl. Let settle until froth is reduced, about 20 minutes.
• Transfer the cream-egg mixture into 4 Mason jars. Flash the tops of the cream with a kitchen torch to remove any bubbles. Place lids on jars and finger tighten. Immerse jars in a water bath with a sous vide cooker set to 176 degrees F (80 degrees C); cook for 1 hour.
• Remove jars and let cool until safe to handle, at least 15 minutes. Prepare a large bowl with ice and water.
• Place jars in the ice bath until completely cool, at least 20 minutes. Remove lids and sprinkle 1 tablespoon sugar over the surface of each creme brulee. Torch the tops slowly using low gas at a moderate distance from the jars until sugar caramelizes, a few seconds each. Let stand until surfaces harden, about 5 minutes.

PUMPKIN SPICE CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put six 1-by-5-inch creme brulee ramekins (1 cup each) in a roasting pan.
• Combine the heavy cream and vanilla pod and seeds in a medium saucepan and whisk to combine. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from the heat, cover and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Discard the vanilla pod.
• Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks, dark brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice and 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar in a large bowl. Add the cream mixture a little at a time, stirring constantly. Transfer the egg mixture to the ramekins. Pour enough hot water into the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
• Bake the custard until set but still a little jiggly in the center, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool at room temperature for 10 minutes, then remove from the water bath. Refrigerate the ramekins for at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.
• To serve: Sprinkle the top of each custard with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar. Using a kitchen blowtorch, melt the sugar, swirling the ramekins as needed to make sure the sugar is evenly browned. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

PUMPKIN CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Cut the pumpkin lengthwise into quarters. Scrape out the seeds and membranes from each quarter. Arrange the pumpkin quarters cut-side down on a baking dish. Cover closely with foil. Place in the oven and bake for one hour. Remove the pumpkin pieces and let stand, covered, 15 minutes.
• Scrape the flesh of each quartered pumpkin into the sieve of a food mill or ricer. Press to make a fine puree. There should be about five cups. Of this, you will need one cup for this recipe. The remainder may be frozen or refrigerated to be used later in soups, pies and so on.
• Put one cup of the puree into a saucepan and add the milk, cream, molasses and cinnamon. Stir to blend and bring slowly to the simmer.
• Select a mixing bowl, preferably of stainless steel, that will sit neatly and compactly inside a larger basin of simmering water. Into the mixing bowl put the whole eggs, egg yolks and white sugar. Beat until blended.
• Pour the hot pumpkin mixture into the egg mixture. Sit the custard mixture inside the kettle over barely simmering water and start stirring immediately and constantly with a wire whisk. At this point, great care and caution must be taken to not overheat the mixture, because excess heat will cause it to curdle. Stir rapidly over and around the curves of the mixing bowl. Cook for about 12 minutes, only until the mixture achieves a fairly thick, custardlike texture, then remove the bowl from the bottom basin.
• Spoon equal portions (about five ounces) of the custard into 10 individual six-ounce, heatproof, decorative baking dishes or custard cups. Wipe any spillage off the outside of the baking dishes. Cover with clear plastic wrap, and chill thoroughly.
• Fill a small sieve with the brown sugar. Hold the sieve over each of the dishes and sprinkle with brown sugar. Wipe around the rim of each dish to remove excess sugar.
• Preheat a broiler to high. Arrange the small dishes in a metal pan filled with ice. Place under the broiler until the sugar has formed a nice crust on top. Serve immediately.

SPICED PUMPKIN CREME BRULEE WITH GINGER-DUSTED CHURROS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. In a saucepan, combine cream, milk, vanilla bean and spices and bring to a simmer.
• In a separate bowl, whisk sugar into egg yolks until fully incorporated. Slowly whisk egg mixture into hot liquid until fully incorporated. Whisk in pumpkin puree.
• Pour the mixture into ramekins or a brulee mold. Place the ramekins in a cake or baking pan, and add enough hot water to the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake in water bath until custard is set, about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare the churros. Preheat oil in a fryer to 375 degrees. In a saucepan, combine water, milk, salt and sugar and bring to a boil. Whisk flour into the mixture in small batches until fully incorporated. Remove from heat and add the egg whites, mixing until the texture is completely smooth.
• Using a pastry bag fitted with a churro tip, pipe the batter into the hot oil in 2-inch strips and fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towel, and roll hot churros in chopped candied ginger and granulated ginger.
• To serve the brulee: Sprinkle top with granulated sugar and caramelize with a torch. Serve with churros.

PUMPKIN AND BROWN-SUGAR CRèME BRûLéE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Whisk pumpkin, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/2 cup brown sugar in large bowl. Whisk in egg yolks and vanilla, then spices and salt. Bring cream just to boil in medium saucepan. Gradually whisk hot cream into pumpkin mixture.
• Divide mixture among eight 5x1-inch ramekins. Divide ramekins between 2 large roasting pans. Add enough hot water to pans to come halfway up sides of ramekins. Bake until custards are just set in center, about 35 minutes. Chill custards until cold, about 6 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and keep chilled.
• Sprinkle 1 tablespoon raw sugar over pumpkin custard in each ramekin. Using kitchen torch, melt sugar until deep amber. (Alternatively, use broiler. Place ramekins on rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle tops with brown sugar [not raw sugar] and melt directly under broiler until deep amber.) Refrigerate 15 minutes to allow sugar to harden. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 hour ahead. Keep chilled.

PUMPKIN CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven at 300°F To obtain pumpkin puree, steam the pumpkin flesh or cook in a marguerite. Pureed in food processor and set aside.
• With a sharp knife, open the vanilla bean in half lenghtwise and scratch the inside.
• Add the inside of the vanilla bean to the cream and heat in a casserole.
• When it begins to simmer, remove from the heat. Set aside.
• In a big bowl, mix together egg yolks and sugar 3 to 4 minutes with a whisk.
• Drizzle the hot cream on the mixture of eggs (to not cook them).
• Add pumpkin puree and amaretto (almond liqueur) and stir.
• Strain and pour in 4 ramequins.
• Put the ramequins in a oven dish. Pour hot water in the dish, around the ramequins, until 2/3 of the height of the ramequins.
• Cook in the oven 30 to 40 minutes or until the center move a little bit when you move the dish.
• Let cool and put in the fridge at least 2 hours before serving.
• When ready to serve, put around 2 tablespoon of brown sugar on top of each creme brulee.
• Put in the oven at Broil unter the broiler. Until it is caramelized.

PUMPKIN CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. In a large heavy bottom saucepan, combine the cream, milk, one-quarter cup of the sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean and add them and the bean to the saucepan. Stir at a medium heat until the sugar is dissolved and then just bring to a simmer. Remove from heat.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the yolks and one-quarter cup of the sugar. Remove the bean from the cream mixture and whisk a small amount (not more than one-quarter cup) of the mixture into the egg yolks to temper them so they do not scramble. Slowly add all the cream to the yolks, whisking constantly, until the mixture is smooth and pale yellow. Put the pumpkin puree in a large bowl and gradually whisk in the cream mixture until completely incorporated and smooth.
• Strain the custard through a very fine sieve into a chilled pitcher. Pour the mixture into six four-ounce molds. Set the molds in the oven in a baking pan containing enough hot water to come one inch up the sides of the molds. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until set. To determine if the custard is done, lightly tap the sides of the custard dish; if the mixture "makes waves" then it is not done. Cool slightly on a wire rack, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight.
• Preheat the broiler just before serving. Evenly sprinkle one teaspoon of granulated sugar on top of each custard. Broil until the sugar caramelizes, anywhere from one to four minutes, depending on broiler's heat. Watch carefully so the sugar doesn't burn; it should be a golden brown. Serve in individual molds on dessert plates.

REDUCED-SUGAR PUMPKIN CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, whisk to combine yolks, sugar, and stevia.
• In a medium saucepan, bring cream to a simmer. Whisk into yolk mixture. Whisk in pumpkin, vanilla, and spices.
• Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring cup.
• Divide mixture between six 6-ounce ramekins set in a roasting pan or other deep baking dish. Place pan in oven and pour in scalding hot water so it comes halfway up sides of dishes.
• Bake until custards are set but jiggle slightly in the center, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
• Before serving, sprinkle custards with a layer of sugar and use a propane torch or broiler to caramelize sugar.

PUMPKIN PRALINE CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks and syrup. In a small saucepan, heat cream over medium heat until bubbles form around sides of pan. Remove from the heat; stir a small amount of hot cream into egg yolk mixture. Return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Stir in the pumpkin, cinnamon, vanilla and ginger., Transfer to four 6-oz. ramekins or custard cups. Place ramekins in a baking pan; add 1 in. of boiling water to pan. Bake, uncovered, until centers are just set (mixture will jiggle), 25-30 minutes. Remove ramekins from water bath; cool for 10 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours., Combine sugars. If using a creme brulee torch, sprinkle custards with sugar mixture. Heat sugar with the torch until caramelized. Sprinkle with pecans. Serve immediately., If broiling the custards, place ramekins on a baking sheet; let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with sugar mixture. Broil 8 in. from the heat until sugar is caramelized, 4-7 minutes. Sprinkle with pecans. Refrigerate until firm, 1-2 hours.

MAPLE PUMPKIN CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325*F. Whisk cream, half and half, pumpkin, syrup, and spices together in a saucepan. Warm over medium heat until steam rises. Whisk yolks, egg, syrup, and salt together in a mixing bowl. Temper warm cream mixture into eggs, strain (if desired), and pour into baking dishes. Divide custard among six 4-oz ovenproof ramekins, filling to about 1/4" from the top. Arrange dishes in a baking pan, then carefully transfer the pan to the oven. Add hot water to the pan and bake custards 35-45 minutes or until just set; DO NOT OVERCOOK. Remove ramekins from the water bath, cool, and wrap loosely in plastic. Chill until completely cold, preferably overnight. Caramelize each custard before serving by burning sugar on top: Blot top of custards dry with a paper towel, if needed. Sprinkle 1-2 Tbsp sugar mixture over each one, tapping out any excess sugar. Using a kitchen torch, melt the sugar by waving the flame 4-8" from the surface until no dry sugar is visible. Let stand 3-5 minutes before serving.

SMOKY PUMPKIN CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Whisk together the egg yolks, smoked brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla bean paste in a medium bowl.
• In a small saucepan, heat the cream over medium low until it just simmers. Slowly whisk the milk into the yolk mixture. Fold in the pumpkin.
• Place six 6-ounce ovenproof ramekins in a roasting pan. Fill the pan with just enough hot water to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
• Divide the pumpkin mixture evenly among the ramekins. Bake until the centers are just set but still jiggle a bit, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Remove the ramekins from the water bath and let cool to room temperature, 30 minutes. Refrigerate until cooled completely, at least 2 hours.
• To serve, sprinkle each ramekin with 2 teaspoons of bourbon smoked sugar. Brulee with a kitchen torch until the sugar is melted and golden brown. (You can also place the ramekins under a broiler until the sugar is golden brown, about 2 minutes.)

PUMPKIN SPICE CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a small saucepan, heat whipping cream over medium heat just until bubbly. Remove from heat; set aside. 2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine egg yolks, eggs, the 1/2 cup sugar, pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and cloves. Beat with a whisk or rotary beater just until combined. Slowly whisk the hot whipping cream into the egg mixture. 3. Use a small serrated knife to cut off the top 1/2-inch of the baby pumpkins. Discard the tops. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. 4. Place the pumpkins in a roasting pan. Divide custard mixture evenly among the pumpkins. Place roasting pan on oven rack. Pour enough boiling water into the roasting pan to reach halfway up the sides of the pumpkins. 5. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until centers appear nearly set when gently shaken. Carefully remove pan from oven. Remove pumpkins from water; cool on a wire rack. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour or up to 8 hours. 6. Before serving, let custards stand at room temperature for 20 minutes. **Meanwhile, for caramelized sugar: in a heavy 8-inch skillet, heat the 1/4 cup sugar over medium-high heat until sugar begins to melt, shaking skillet occasionally to heat sugar evenly. Do not stir. Once sugar starts to melt, reduce heat to low; cook 3 to 5 minutes more or until all of the sugar is melted and golden brown, stirring as needed with a wooden spoon. 7. Quickly drizzle caramelized sugar over the custards. (If sugar starts to harden in the skillet, return to heat, stirring until melted.) Serve immediately. Makes 10 filled pumpkins or 6 custard cups.

PUMPKIN COGNAC CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place 8 6-oz ramekins or custard cups in a heavy-duty roasting pan.
• Heat whipping cream to just under a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat.
• Combine remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl, whisking together just until smooth. Gradually whisk in hot cream. Pour mixture through a wire-mesh strainer into a pitcher.
• Divide custard evenly among ramekins. Fill pan with hot water to a depth of 1 inch. Cover with aluminum foil, crimping around edges of pan. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until custard is barely set and jiggles when shaken. Remove ramekins from water bath, let cool, and chill 3 hours or up to 3 days.
• Remove from refrigerator. Sprinkle surface of each custard evenly with 1 scant tablespoon sugar. Caramelize sugar with a kitchen blowtorch, moving flame quickly back and forth across custard. Let cool 2 to 3 minutes before serving.
• If you don't have a kitchen blowtorch, broil 3 inches from heat 2 to 3 minutes or until sugar caramelizes.