Classic Vanilla Crème Brûlée

Ingredients

• •2 cups heavy cream
• •1 vanilla bean, split (or 2 tsp vanilla paste)
• •5 large egg yolks
• •1/2 cup sugar, plus more for topping
• •Pinch salt

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat cream and vanilla bean (seeds scraped in) to a bare simmer. Remove from heat, steep 10 minutes.

2. 2

   Whisk yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Slowly stream in warm cream while whisking. Strain.

3. 3

   Divide among 4 ramekins. Place in a baking dish, pour hot water to come halfway up the sides.

4. 4

   Bake 40–45 minutes until set at the edges, slightly jiggly in the center.

5. 5

   Cool, then refrigerate at least 4 hours.

6. 6

   Before serving, sprinkle 1–2 tsp sugar over each custard. Torch until amber and crackling. Let set 1 minute.