Frangelico Creme Brulee

One of the many benefits to working in a restaurant is that you learn all the little foodie tricks. One of my favorite things we serve is a Frangelico flavored creme brulee. Now if you do not drink or just don't feel like shelling out for Frangelico Hazelnut flavored Liquor then you can certainly use Hazelnut extract or even Hazelnut flavored coffee syrup.

1 quart half & half (traditionally it calls for heavy cream but 1/2 & 1/2 works fine, for 1/2 the calories!)

8 large egg yolks

1 cup sugar (divided)

1 shot frangelico 

1/2 vanilla bean split and scraped (optional but delicious!)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Bring the 1/2 & 1/2 and vanilla bean just to a boil in a medium sauce pan over med-hight heat. Once cream begins to boil remove from heat, cover with a lid and set aside for a few minutes

Whisk egg yolks and 1/2c. sugar until just lightened in color. Whisking like a mad woman temper the eggs by adding just a little of the hot cream at a time. I usually take a 1/3 measuring cup and add it 1 scoop at a time until well incorporated. Once all the cream has been whisked in add frangelico and divide the mixture between  6 ramekins. 

Place ramekins in a larger cake pan and fill pan with boiling water half way up the ramekins. Transfer carefully to oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the custards are set but still wiggly in the center.

divide the leftover sugar between the 6 ramekins and caramelize with torch. 

*If you do not have a torch- melt the sugar in saucepan until caramelized and pour over the top of each custard. 

these may be made ahead of time but they are always best fresh!

 Grab a spoon, crack the candy top, and enjoy! enjoy! enjoy!

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We are headed out of town for a few days to celebrate the life of my husbands grandmother with our family and loved ones. No matter the age it is always hard to lose a loved one, but it is an opportunity for our very distant family to come together and share our love for such a beautiful person.

 I'll be back in a few days...

   

Peace let someone know you love them today!