Lemon Creme Brulee

Total Time: Prep: 15 min. Bake: 45 min. + chilling，Makes: 5 servings

After being disappointed in this recipe the first time I tried it, I experimented. When I felt it was fit for competition, the judge was impressed, too—I won a blue ribbon and an Award of Excellence. —Sara Scheler, Pewaukee, Wisconsin

Ingredients

• 3 cups heavy whipping cream
• 6 large egg yolks, room temperature
• 1/2 cup plus 5 teaspoons sugar, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°. In a large saucepan, heat cream until bubbles form around side of pan; remove from heat. In a large bowl, whisk egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar and salt until blended but not foamy. Slowly stir in hot cream. Stir in lemon zest and extract.
2. Place five 6-oz. broiler-safe ramekins in a baking pan large enough to hold them without touching. Pour egg mixture into ramekins. Place pan on oven rack; add very hot water to pan to within 1/2 in. of tops of ramekins. Bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean (centers will still be soft), 45-50 minutes.
3. Immediately remove ramekins from water bath to a wire rack; cool 10 minutes. Refrigerate until cold.
4. To caramelize topping with a kitchen torch, sprinkle custards evenly with remaining sugar. Hold torch flame about 2 in. above custard surface and rotate it slowly until sugar is evenly caramelized. Refrigerate 30-60 minutes before serving.
5. To caramelize topping in a broiler, preheat broiler and place ramekins on a baking sheet; let stand at room temperature 15 minutes. Sprinkle custards evenly with remaining sugar. Broil 3-4 in. from heat until sugar is caramelized, 2-3 minutes. Refrigerate 30-60 minutes before serving.

NutritionFacts

1 serving: 652 calories, 57g fat (35g saturated fat), 384mg cholesterol, 285mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 0 fiber), 7g protein.