Butterscotch Pot De Creme

This dessert is so divine!  First time making it and I'm glad I gave it a try in spite of being adamant as I thought it will be a daunting job.  It actually was not as bad as thought it would be...I cannot stop eating this that I have to restraint myself because it's that good! Especially when you eat it the day after...hmmm heavenly delicious!!!  And yeah, it's from GQ Magazine, so needless to say I was intrigued by this recipe other than the photos of being so mouth-watering, thinking it's got to be good!!! 

BUTTERSCOTCH POT DE CRÈME
(GQ Magazine, September 2009)

6 egg yolks
¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
1 cup milk
2 cups heavy cream
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 TSP pure vanilla extract
1 TSP kosher salt
¼ cup bitter-sweet chocolate, shavings (for garnish)

Preheat oven to 300⁰F.

Place egg yolks in a large bowl and lightly whisk till smooth. Set aside.

Over a medium high flame, heat the brown sugar, milk and heavy cream in a heavy saucepan and stir until brown sugar start to dissolve. Then heat until the milk is steaming and tiny bubbles have formed along the edges, but do not boil. Remove from heat. Cover and keep warm.

In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar with ¼ cup of water and bring to a boil over high heat. As soon as the sugar turns amber (ideally the color of a new penny), remove from heat. Carefully add ¼ cup of the hot cream mixture, whisking until combined. Whisk in 2 more cups of the cream mixture, then add the rest.

Pour the caramel cream into the yolk in a slow, steady stream and gently whisking the mixture continuously. Stir in the vanilla and salt. Strain the custard through a fine strainer (or sieve) into a pitcher. Skim off any foam or bubbles on top.

Pout the custard into six 5-ounce ramekins, leaving ½ inch at the top of each. Place ramekins in a roasting pan and carefully fill the pan with hot water until it comes halfway up their sides. Carefully cover the pan with foil.

Bake in the oven for 45-50 minutes until set. When done, the center may still a bit loose when the custard is gently shaken.

Remove the pan from the oven and let the crème finish setting in the water bath at room temperature uncovered. When cool, refrigerate uncovered to preserve the burnished color.

Makes 6 5-ounce (or 10 3-ounce) desserts