Step 1

Heat the oven to 325°F and start a kettle of water on the stove.

Step 2

In a pot, over low-medium heat, warm up the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt, just until hot, stirring occasionally.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until smooth.

Step 4

Once the cream mixture is hot, remove from heat. Ladle out 1/2 c and slowly pour it into the egg mixture, whisking continuously (this will temper the eggs so they don’t scramble).

Step 5

Next, slowly pour this egg-cream mixture into the pot of cream, also whisking continuously, until smooth.

Step 6

Place the ramekins in a baking dish with deep sides and fill each cup to about 3/4 full with the custard mixture.

Step 7

At this point, your kettle of water should be boiling and the oven temperature should be ready.

Step 8

Pour the very hot water from the kettle into the baking dish, to about halfway up the sides of the ramekins, being careful not to spill any water into the ramekins themselves.

Step 9

Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the custard is still a little jiggly in the center.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.

Step 11

Once the ramekins are cool enough to handle, carefully remove them from the baking pan (be careful, the water may still be quite hot!) and chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours.

Step 12

Just before serving, sprinkle 1 tsp of sugar on top of each one and turn on the torch. Holding the torch a few inches away, repeatedly pass it over the surface of each custard. 

Step 13

Let cool for a few minutes, serve, and enjoy! When you break the brûléed caramelized top with a spoon, it should make a satisfying “crack”.