Apple CrÈme BrÛlÉe Recipes

Steps:

• In a medium, heavy-bottom saucepan, combine apples, Crispin, Spartan or Empire Apples can be used, sugar, cinnamon lemon rind and nutmeg.
• Cook over medium heat, until apples softened, stirring occasionally about 10 minutes. Spread this mixture into six, 6 ounce heatproof ramekins, and chill.
• In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks with sugar.
• In the saucepan that you used for the apples, heat cream, until just before boiling, scraping down the apple bits and spices on the pan into the cream mixture.
• Whisking constantly, pour in the egg mixture, and continue stirring until thickened, about 20 minutes.
• Do not let it boil.
• Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
• Strain evenly onto the chilled apple mixture in each ramekin, and let cool.
• Let cool overnight.
• At least 1 hour before serving, and up to 1 day ahead, sprinkle custards with brown sugar.
• Broil for 1 to 2 minutes until sugar melts and colours.
• Chill until ready to serve.

Steps:

• For the creme brulee: In a medium saucepan, bring the cream, sugar and vanilla bean to a boil. Add the egg yolks and continue to cook, whisking until slightly thickened. Remove the pan from the heat, strain and set aside for later use.
• For the caramel: Stir together the milk and sugar in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. (Make sure the liquid only goes three-quarters of the way up the sides, as it will froth when the baking soda is added.) Add the vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon stick and vanilla bean with seeds if using. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat, constantly stirring, and bring to a boil, about 15 minutes. Keep your eyes on the pot-- it boils over easily and quickly! Quickly remove from the heat and add the baking soda to the pot. The mixture will rise and become frothy, just keep stirring the mixture.
• Return the pot to medium heat, and stir frequently, about every 10 minutes. Make sure the milk stays at a gentle simmer rather than a raging boil, and stir across the bottom of the pot to make sure the mixture is not scorching. Adjust the heat as needed. Cook until the milk starts to turn golden brown, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Remove the cinnamon stick and the vanilla pod. At this point, it will start to thicken quickly, so it's important to keep stirring so the milk doesn't burn on the bottom of the pan. Keep stirring until the mixture is a rich brown and thick enough to coat the back of the spoon, 15 to 30 minutes.
• Cool the sauce slightly and then pour into an airtight container. Store the mixture in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Using a melon baller, hollow out the crab apples. Fill the centers with the creme brulee and bake until the creme brulee is set. Chill overnight.
• Reheat the caramel until soft enough for dipping. Dip the stuffed apples using a stick or fork. Chill for 1 hour before serving.

Steps:

• Place apples in a microwave-safe dish; cover with water. Cover and microwave on high for 3-4 minutes or until tender. Drain apples and pat dry on paper towel. Arrange apples in the bottoms of six 6-oz. ramekins or custard cups. Top with caramel topping; set aside., In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar and cinnamon; stir in cream. Heat over medium heat until bubbles form around sides of pan. Remove from the heat; stir a small amount of hot mixture into the egg yolks. Return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Stir in vanilla., Pour into prepared ramekins. Place ramekins in a baking pan; add 1 in. of boiling water to pan. Bake, uncovered, at 325° until centers are just set (mixture will jiggle), 55-60 minutes. Remove ramekins from water bath; cool for 20 minutes. Cover and refrigerate overnight., If using a creme brulee torch, sprinkle remaining 4 tablespoons sugar evenly over custards. Heat sugar with the torch until caramelized. Serve immediately., If broiling the custards, place ramekins on a baking sheet; let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Sprinkle remaining 4 tablespoons sugar evenly over custards. Broil 8 in. from the heat for 4-7 minutes or until sugar is caramelized. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm.

Steps:

• Peel and core apples. Cut into bite sized chunks. Cook the apples in the cinnamon, 1/4-cup sugar, and water. Cook for 7 to 8 minutes until tender, but not mushy. Set aside to cool.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Whisk egg yolks and 6 tablespoons sugar. Whisk until light yellow. Add vanilla. While whisking, gradually pour in whipping cream.
• Divide apples evenly into 6 ramekins. Ladle cream mixture evenly over the apples. Place ramekins in a baking dish. Pour hot water halfway up to the sides of the ramekins. Bake the custard until set, approximately 40 minutes.
• Keep the ramekins in the water bath and let them cool for about 30 minutes. Remove from water and chill overnight in the refrigerator.
• Sprinkle sugar on top of creme and then torch until golden brown.

Steps:

• Place apples in a microwave safe container; cover with water.
• Pad 9x 13 pan with wet towel.
• Cover apples with wax paper and microwave on HIGH for 1 and half minutes; drain well. Don't wash container yet.
• In medium saucepan, combine 3 tablespoons sugar, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; stir in cream.
• Heat over medium heat until bubbles form around sides of pan; stirring constantly. Do NOT let boil.
• Meanwhile bring 4 cups water to low boil. Center oven rack. PREHEAT oven to 325 degrees. Put drained apples back into reserved container and stir in the 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Arrange apples in the bottoms of six 4 ounce ramekins or custard cups. (They will be very full.) Divide the caramel topping between ramekins. I use 1 teaspoon and small rubber spatula and sure that when I put that teaspoon in it is closer to one tablespoon. Set ramekins aside.
• Back to custard: Remove saucepan from the heat; mix vigorously a small amount of the hot mixture into already beaten egg yolks. Temper.
• Slowly return all to the pan; mix vigorously.
• Stir in vanilla. Skim off bubbles.
• Pour over caramel sauced ramekins. Again pop any bubbles.
• Place 5 ramekins in 9X13 inch metal pan, put on oven rack, ladle hot water to pan so it comes halfway up. Careful that none of water splashes on ramekin. Add last ramekin.
• Bake, uncovered, at 325 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes or until centers are just set (mixture will slightly jiggle but center should be quivery like gelatin when cups are gently shaken). And some dark spots occur which gets camouflaged by caramel topping later. Remove from oven-- carefully. Time varies because diameter of ramekin determines thickness.
• Remove ramekins from water bath using tongs after 20 minutes, set on rack to cool to room temperature or 1 hour to avoid condensation.
• Cover and refrigerate overnight, or up to three days.
• For broiling, place ramekins on a baking sheet; let stand at room temperature of 15 minutes or freezer for 5 minutes. Put oven rack as close to broiler as possible. Preheat broiler.Sprinkle remaining sugar not Splenda (or you will have a fire) onto each custard, shake off excess. Broil until sugar is caramelized. Let set for at least 5 minutes before serving. I prefer them chilled for about 30 minutes--love the contrast in texture.
• Or use kitchen butane torch.