Raspberry Creme Brulee Recipe

Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.  Adjust oven rack to center position.  Butter six (6-ounce) ramekins or custard cups and set them into a glass baking dish.  Tip: Place a non-stick baking mat (called a silpat) or a tea towel on the bottom of your baking dish to both insulate and keep the ramekins firmly in place.

Place 8 raspberries in each of the custard cups.  In a large bowl, beat egg yolks until slightly thickened.  Add sugar and mix until dissolved.  Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean.  Whisk in cream, then pour mixture into prepared custard cups.

Bring the water for the water bath to a light simmer on top of the stove; carefully pour hot water into the baking pan to come half-way up the sides of the custard cups.  NOTE: The most common mistake people make in baking a custard is not putting enough water in the hot-water bath.  The water should come up to the level of the custard inside the cups.  You must protect your custard from the heat.

Definition of Water Bath or Bain-Marie (bahn mah-REE) - A hot water bath or bain-marie are used to cook custards and baked eggs in the oven without curdling or cracking, and also used to hold sauces and to clarify butter.  Water baths are most often used for egg-based dishes.  The proteins in the eggs are very heat sensitive and only need to be warmed to cook thoroughly.  They will start to get firm at only 145 degrees.  Cooking them with a slow, gentle heat keeps the eggs soft and smooth.

Bake approximately 45 minutes or until set around the edges but still loose in the center.  The cooking time will depend largely on the size of the custard cup you are using and the altitude you are at.  Begin checking at a half hour and check back regularly.  When the center of the custard is just set, it will jiggle a little when shaken, that's when you can remove it from the oven.  If using a digital instant-read thermometer, inserted in the centers, the internal temperature should register approximately 170 to 175 degrees F.  Begin checking temperature about 5 minutes before recommended time.

High Altitude Cooking:  Custards with a water bath will often need additional water during the baking time.  Also your custards will need a longer cooking time because the altitude causes the water to evaporate faster.

Remove from oven and leave in the water bath until cooled to room temperature.  Remove cups from water bath, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.

When ready to serve, sprinkle approximately 2 teaspoons of remaining sugar over each cre brulee.  For best results, use a small hand held propane torch.  Hold the torch 4 to 5 inches from the sugar, maintaining a slow and even motion.  Stop torching just before the desired degree of doneness is reached, as the sugar will continue to cook for a few seconds after flame has been removed.

If you don't have a torch, place creme brulees 6 inches below the broiler for 4 to 6 minutes or until sugar bubbles and turns golden brown.

Refrigerate cre brulees at least 10 minutes before serving.  Serve within 1 hour, as topping will deteriorate. Garnish with remaining raspberries before serving.

Makes 6 servings (depending on size of ramekins or custard cups).