Perfect Creme Brulee

Step 1

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Move a rack to the bottom of the oven.

Step 2

Whisk the egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla together in a stainless steel bowl until smooth. Bring the cream just to a simmer in a saucepan over medium-low heat; pour into the egg yolk mixture, whisking continually until combined.

Step 3

Bring a couple of inches of water to a simmer in an oven-safe saucepan over medium low heat; set the bowl with the cream mixture over the saucepan to form a double boiler.

Step 4

Place the entire double boiler into the preheated oven; bake until the mixture sets, about 30 minutes.

Step 5

Chill in refrigerator 2 hours.

Step 6

Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.

Step 7

Combine the brown sugar with 2 tablespoons of white sugar in a bowl; sprinkle evenly over the cold creme.

Step 8

Heat under the preheated broiler until the sugar melts and browns, 2 to 3 minutes; return immediately to the refrigerator and chill until the sugar is set, about 15 minutes.