Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and set six 4-ounce ramekins in a baking dish.
- In a saucepan, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, vanilla bean seeds, and the scraped pod, then warm over medium heat until steam rises around the edges.
- Remove the pan from the heat, cover, and let the vanilla steep for 10 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks, granulated sugar, salt, and Vanilla Infused Olive Oil until smooth and lightly thickened.
- Slowly whisk the warm cream into the yolk mixture a little at a time so the custard stays smooth.
- Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring cup or pitcher, then divide it among the ramekins.
- Pour hot water into the baking dish until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
- Bake for 32 to 38 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers still jiggle slightly when nudged.
- Remove the ramekins from the water bath and cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until fully chilled.
- Before serving, sprinkle each custard with a thin layer of turbinado sugar and caramelize with a kitchen torch until glassy and deep golden.
- Let the sugar shell stand for 1 to 2 minutes, then serve right away with berries if desired.
Notes
For the smoothest texture, do not rush the warm cream into the yolks. If you do not have a kitchen torch, the sugar topping can be caramelized under a hot broiler for a very short time, watching closely so the top turns amber without burning. Chill the custards thoroughly before adding sugar so the tops stay crisp longer after caramelizing.
