Classic French Crème Caramel

Step 1

Put the granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan. Shake the pan first to half dissolve the sugar in the water. Then, over a medium-high heat, leave the caramel to form without stirring. This should take about 10 minutes (don't multitask and leave the pan - keep your eye on it). It should start to smell like caramel when light brown. Swirl it around a bit and wait until the caramel is medium to dark brown (too light and it will just be too sweet; too dark, it will be bitter).

Step 2

Pour the amber caramel into 5-6 ramekin dishes (or one big dish), ensuring that it coats completely the base.  Set aside to cool so that the caramel sets and immediately put the saucepan in the sink and soak in water, making it easier to clean later.

Step 3

Preheat the oven to 170°C/340°F/150°C fan/Gas Split the vanilla pod down the middle if using. Pour the milk into a medium saucepan, adding the vanilla (or other infusions if using) and just allow the milk to heat to simmering point (not boiling). Cover and take off the heat to cool slightly and remove the vanilla pod (scraping out the seeds and adding to the milk).

Step 4

Whisk the eggs, yolks and sugar vigorously in a medium bowl until paler. Pour in the WARM vanilla milk (not hot - if hot, temper by adding a little at a time) and whisk gently just until combined. Leave to rest for a minute to let the foam subside.

Step 5

Place the ramekins or large dish into a large roasting tin lined with baking paper. Pour the warm thin custard over the caramel in each ramekin, filling near to the top. Place the roasting tin in the middle of the oven and pour in warm-hot water around the ramekins or dish so that it comes to about half or 2/3 of the way up.

Step 6

Bake for about 40 minutes or until set (they're not cooked properly if there's a dip in the middle. A knife inserted should come out clean). Remove from the oven carefully, and after 10 minutes, gradually remove the ramekins onto a cooling rack. When cool, transfer to the fridge and chill for at least 2 hours - ideally overnight.