Butterscotch Pots De Creme

These custards can be accompanied by whipped cream; chocolate shavings or fresh berries. Muscavado sugar is a very dark brown sugar.

• Ready In: 1 hr 5 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups heavy cream
• 6  tablespoons dark muscovado sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 6  tablespoons water
• 2  tablespoons demerara sugar
• 4  large  egg yolks
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Use 6 (4-oz) ramekins Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 300°F.
2. Bring cream, muscovado sugar, and salt just to a simmer in a small heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
3. Bring water and Demerara sugar to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
4. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and bubbly, about 5 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and carefully add cream mixture (mixture will bubble up and steam), whisking until combined.
6. Whisk together yolks and vanilla in a large bowl, then add hot cream mixture in a stream, whisking.
7. Pour custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a 1-quart glass measure.
8. Skim off any foam with a spoon.
9. Divide custard among ramekins.
10. Arrange ramekins in a small roasting pan and bake in a hot water bath, uncovered, until custards are set around edges but still tremble slightly in centers, about 40 minutes.
11. Transfer ramekins to a rack with tongs and cool to warm or room temperature.
12. Pots de crème will continue to set as they cool.
13. Custard can be made, but not baked, 1 day ahead and chilled, covered, in the glass measure or a non-reactive container.