Vietnamese Coffee Crème Brûlée

Ingredients

• 2 cup Heavy cream
• 0.25 cup Vietnamese ground coffee (Dark roast preferred)
• 5 Egg yolks (Large)
• 0.33 cup Granulated sugar (For the custard)
• 2 tbsp Condensed milk (To mimic the Vietnamese coffee profile)
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract
• 4 tbsp Granulated sugar (For caramelizing the tops)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Place four 6-ounce ramekins into a large baking dish.

2. 2

   In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the heavy cream and Vietnamese ground coffee. Heat until the cream just begins to simmer, then remove from heat and let steep for 5-10 minutes to infuse the coffee flavor.

3. 3

   Strain the cream through a fine-mesh sieve or coffee filter into a clean bowl to remove the coffee grounds. Stir in the condensed milk while the cream is still warm.

4. 4

   In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and 1/3 cup of granulated sugar until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened.

5. 5

   Slowly temper the egg yolks by pouring a small amount of the warm cream mixture into the eggs while whisking constantly. Gradually add the remaining cream and the vanilla extract, whisking until smooth.

6. 6

   Divide the custard mixture evenly among the ramekins. Pour hot water into the baking dish until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins to create a water bath.

7. 7

   Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers still have a slight jiggle. Remove the ramekins from the water bath and let them cool to room temperature.

8. 8

   Refrigerate the custards for at least 3 hours, or preferably overnight, until completely chilled and firm.

9. 9

   Just before serving, sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of sugar evenly over the top of each custard. Use a kitchen torch to melt and caramelize the sugar until it forms a deep golden-brown, brittle crust.

Notes

For the most authentic flavor, use a Vietnamese coffee brand like Trung Nguyen. If you don't have a kitchen torch, you can place the sugar-topped ramekins under a broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching very closely to prevent burning.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• coffee
• vietnamese
• baked
• gluten-free
• vegetarian