This is one of my husband’s all time favorite desserts. The combination of maple and creamy, rich, custard make for a very sensuous dessert. Plus your husband will love when you make this because he gets to play with fire.
Plan to make this one in the afternoon. It should be chilled before serving. And don’t let the hazelnuts scare you. I’ve never served this with them because of the cost. I’m sure they add a lovely dimension, but aren’t completely necessary. Oh, and don’t worry about trying to make this for two – you’ll eat the entire batch. It’s that good!
Note: Step 6 states to melt the sugar in a saucepan and then pour over each crème brulee. It’s much easier and less touchy to invest in a crème brulee torch. This might sound laughable, but believe me, you’ll get your money’s worth out of it since you won’t be able to make this just one time.
Photo credit Better Homes and Garden
Maple Creme Brulee with Hazelnuts
recipe courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens
- 2 cups whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup or maple-flavored syrup
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts or almonds, toasted
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat six 6-ounce custard cups or ramekins* with cooking spray. Place custard cups in a 3-quart rectangular baking dish; set aside. In a heavy small saucepan, combine whipping cream and the 3 tablespoons sugar; heat over medium heat just until bubbly, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine egg yolks, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt. Beat with a wire whisk or rotary beater just until combined. Slowly whisk hot whipping cream mixture into the egg yolk mixture.
- Divide mixture among prepared custard cups. Place baking dish on oven rack. Pour enough boiling water into the baking dish to reach halfway up the sides of the custard cups.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until mixture in custard cups appears set when lightly shaken. Transfer custard cups to a wire rack; cool. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
- Before serving, let custard cups stand at room temperature for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, for caramelized sugar, in a heavy 8-inch skillet, heat the 1/4 cup sugar over medium-high heat until sugar begins to melt, shaking skillet occasionally to heat sugar evenly. Do not stir. Once sugar starts to melt, reduce heat to low; cook about 5 minutes more or until all of the sugar is melted and golden brown, stirring as needed with a wooden spoon. Quickly drizzle some of the caramelized sugar over each creme brulee. (If sugar starts to harden in the skillet, return to heat, stirring until melted.) Sprinkle individual servings with toasted hazelnuts. Serve immediately.