Salted caramel pots de crème is a classic French dessert that is rich, creamy, and has a perfectly balanced sweet and salty flavor. This decadent dessert is made with a custard base that is infused with salted caramel sauce, then baked in ramekins until set. The result is a smooth and creamy custard with a luscious salted caramel topping. Pots de crème is a relatively easy dessert to make, but it does require some time and attention to detail. With a little patience, you can create this elegant and delicious dessert that is perfect for any special occasion.
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SALTED CARAMEL POTS DE CRèME
Pots de crème are little baked custards with a fancy name. A pinch of salt in these custards heightens the caramel flavor. Cover the baking pan of custard cups with aluminum foil; it makes for the most luxuriously smooth pots de crème you'll ever have.
Provided by Curtis Stone
Categories Milk/Cream Dairy Dessert Entertaining Kidney Friendly Vegetarian Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Serves 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- 1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 325°F. Place eight 1/2-cup (4-ounce) ovenproof cups, custard cups, or ramekins in a large baking pan.
- 2. In a large heavy saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the brown sugar and kosher salt. Using the tip of a small sharp knife, scrape the vanilla seeds from the bean, add to the butter mixture, and drop in the bean too. Stir for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture has the texture of thick sand and has taken on a nutty, caramel fragrance.
- 3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and gradually whisk in the cream. The mixture will bubble vigorously and will seize when the cream is added. Whisk for about 5 minutes, or until the hardened sugar bits dissolve and the mixture begins to boil. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the milk.
- 4. In a large bowl, stir the egg yolks to blend. Gradually whisk in the warm caramel mixture. Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a 4-cup liquid measuring cup or a bowl with a spout. Pour the custard into the cups, dividing it equally. Cover the pan with aluminum foil, leaving one corner uncovered. Place the pan in the oven and carefully pour enough hot water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the cups, then cover the open corner with the foil. Bake the custards for about 50 minutes, or until they are just set around the edges but still jiggle slightly when the cups are gently shaken. (Be very careful of escaping steam when you uncover the pan.)
- 5. Remove the cups from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool, about 1 hour. Cover each cup with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours, or up to 2 days.
- 6. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over each pot de crème and serve chilled.
- Storing:
- The pots de crème can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
CARAMEL POTS DE CREME
Steps:
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, over medium heat, cook the sugar, water and vanilla bean until it turns a deep caramel color. Swirl pan to color evenly, do not stir.
- When caramel in color, turn off the heat and slowly add milk and cream. Be careful, it will splatter. If caramel hardens, turn on the heat and stir until harden caramel dissolves and the mixture boils. Once it reaches a boil, remove from the heat.
- In a bowl, mix yolks, salt and vanilla extract. Slowly temper in caramel mixture, adding a small amount at a time, to prevent yolks from scrambling. Mix to combine, then strain through a fine mesh strainer.
- Fill 6 (4-ounce) ramekins with the creme mixture. Place them in a high-sided baking dish and fill baking dish 1/2 full with boiling water. Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for about 25 minutes or until set. The middle should jiggle slightly. Remove, let cool and refrigerate.
CARAMEL POTS DE CRèME
All the textbooks say the same thing: cooking granulated sugar until it turns into caramel involves complex chemistry. And I'm sure they are right. But I'm just as sure that what turns sugar into caramel is magic. Not only is caramel simple, but it is also versatile. Caramelized sugar mixed with butter and cream makes candies soft as taffy or hard as lollipops; thinned with water, it makes a glaze; thinned with cream, it makes a sauce; added to chocolate, it provides complexity; and added to custards, it can provide all the flavor needed for a spoon dessert. This luscious, golden pudding is a perfect example.
Provided by Dorie Greenspan
Categories custards and puddings, dessert
Time 1h
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Center a rack in oven, and heat to 300 degrees. Put 8 4-ounce custard cups or ramekins in a large roasting pan, and set aside. Combine cream and milk, and warm them in a microwave oven or on the stove top.
- Measure out 1/4 cup sugar, and set aside. Place a heavy-bottom metal pot over medium-high heat, and sprinkle in about 2 tablespoons sugar. As soon as sugar melts and starts to caramelize, stir. When color is uniform, stir in 2 more tablespoons sugar, and continue to stir until it is melted and colored. Continue with remaining sugar. When all sugar is mahogany color, stand away from pot, and stir in warm liquid bit by bit. Mixture will bubble furiously and may form lumps; stir to smooth it out. Remove from heat.
- Place yolks, eggs and reserved 1/4 cup sugar in a very large measuring cup with a lip, and whisk to blend. Still whisking, stir in caramel liquid. Skim off foam, and fill custard cups. Set into roasting pan and pour enough hot tap water into pan to come halfway up sides of cups. Cover pan with plastic wrap or foil, poke 2 holes in opposite corners, and bake 35 to 40 minutes or until tops darken and custards jiggle a little in center when tapped. Cool custards in refrigerator; serve at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 349, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 22 grams, Fat 27 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 16 grams, Sodium 59 milligrams, Sugar 22 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent the caramel from burning.
- Stir the caramel constantly to prevent it from crystallizing.
- Use a candy thermometer to ensure that the caramel reaches the correct temperature.
- Do not overcook the caramel, or it will become bitter.
- Allow the caramel to cool slightly before adding it to the pots de crème.
- Use fresh cream for the best flavor.
- Strain the pots de crème through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps.
- Chill the pots de crème for at least 4 hours before serving.
Conclusion:
This recipe for salted caramel pots de crème is a delicious and elegant dessert that is perfect for any occasion. With its rich and creamy custard filling and its decadent salted caramel topping, this dessert is sure to impress your guests. So next time you're looking for a special dessert to make, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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