Mint Creme Brulee Recipes

Steps:

• Combine whipping cream, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, and schnapps, and stir with a whisk until smooth.
• (the sugar will dissolve).
• Divide the mixture evenly in 5 (5x1-inch) round single serving baking dishes.
• Set the dishes on a large roasting pan or jellyroll pan (15x 10x 1-inch).
• Add one inch of hot water to pan.
• Bake at for 45-50 minutes at 275 degrees, until almost set.
• Cool in the pan of water on a wire rack, then remove from pan.
• Cover and chill for at least 8 hours.
• Sprinkle crushed candies over each custard and place them in a pan.
• Broil 5 1/2 inches from heat (with electric oven door partially open) until candy melts.
• Cool for 5 minutes or until top hardens, then garnish if desired.

Steps:

• Heat cream in a small pot with fresh mint. Simmer, stirring occasionally so a skin doesn't form, until the mint leaves are wilted and the cream smells strongly of mint (10-20 minutes or so, or longer to taste).
• Meanwhile, cream together the eggs and sugar in a mixing bowl. Try not to incorporate a bunch of air into the mixture. I like to use a fork to do this.
• Strain the cream to remove the mint leaves. Let it cool somewhat.
• SLOWLY pour the strained cream into the eggs and sugar, mixing as you do so (if you go too fast you'll end up cooking the egg).
• Pour the mixture into 6 ramekins. Place in a baking dish and fill the baking dish with water up to the level of the cream in the ramekins. DON'T splash water into the ramekins. The water bath helps keep the cream from overheating as it cooks, but if you get water in the cream it will not set properly.
• Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. How long will depend on the shape of your ramekins. The cream is done when it is set but still jiggly in the center.
• Remove ramekins from the water bath and allow to cool to room temperature. Then cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least a couple hours.
• When ready to eat, top with a teaspoon or two of sugar and caramelize with a torch. Try to melt the sugar without burning it. Don't make your layer too thick or it will burn. You can also caramelize the sugar by placing the ramekins under the broiler, but I've never had success this way, I always end up with burned patches.

Steps:

• Roll the puff pastry 1/4-inch thick and pierce it all over with the tines of a fork. Line a flan ring with the pastry and chill the ring for 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line the flan ring with parchment paper or coffee filters and fill the shell with pie weights. Bake the pastry shell for about 25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown. Remove the shell from the oven and let cool to room temperature. Remove the pie weights.
• Distribute the fruit evenly over the bottom of the shell, then pour in the Creme Brulee. Smooth the top with a long-bladed spatula.
• Just before serving, heat a caramel iron on the burner of a stove. Sprinkle the sugar evenly over the top and carefully caramelize the sugar with the hot iron. Alternately, place the tart under a hot broiler, near the heat, for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the sugar caramelizes. Or use a small blow torch to caramelize the sugar.
• In a large metal bowl set over a bain marie, whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until the mixture is light and thick enough to form a ribbon. This takes quite a long time; be strong and patient. Remove from the heat.
• Carefully whisk in the cream. Add the vanilla bean. Place the bowl back over the bain marie and cook slowly for about 45 minutes, stirring frequently. Take care that the water does not boil. The custard will be done when the mixture adheres to your fingers without dripping.
• When the custard is done, remove from the heat and whisk in the butter, a little at a time, until all of it has been incorporated. Strain through a fine strainer into a bowl. Chill at least 6 hours or overnight.

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 300 degrees F. Heat the cream and vanilla pod in a small saucepan over medium heat until it begins to steam. Remove from the heat, and let sit for 5 minutes. Whisk together 2 tablespoons of the sugar and the egg yolks in a small bowl until pale yellow. Whisk the cream into the egg mixture. Fish out the vanilla pod, scrape out any remaining seeds and whisk them into the custard. Pour the custard into an 8-inch square baking dish.
• Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with a kitchen towel, and put the custard-filled baking dish on top of it. Transfer the large baking dish to the oven rack, and fill it about halfway with warm water. Bake the custard until it is firm but still wiggles slightly, 35 to 45 minutes. Let cool to room temperature, then chill for at least 1 hour. (The custard can be made the night before.) Transfer the custard to a pastry bag or large resealable plastic bag, and cut off the tip.
• Arrange the cookies, flat bottoms up, on a baking sheet. Pipe a spiral of custard onto each cookie, all the way to the edge. Use a small spatula or the back of spoon to smooth out the custard. Chill for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours.
• When ready to serve, sprinkle each creme brulee generously with some of the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Use a kitchen torch to toast each until the sugar is dark and caramelized. Chill for a few minutes so the custard can thicken slightly, then serve.