can brulee recipe be halved?

E

emtd

Well-known member
I would like to try out a lemon creme brulee recipe today that I hope to serve for a weekend dinner party. I don't really want 8 servings - can I halve the recipe to you think? Thanks for any advice.

Lemon Creme Brulee

3 cups whipping cream

5 teaspoons grated lemon peel

3/4 cup sugar

6 large egg yolks

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

8 teaspoons golden brown sugar

2 1/2-pint containers fresh raspberries

1/4 cup Chambord (black-raspberry liqueur) or crème de cassis (black-currant liqueur)

preparationPreheat oven to 325°F. Arrange eight 3/4-cup custard cups or ramekins in 13x9x2-inch metal baking pan. Combine cream and lemon peel in heavy small saucepan and bring to simmer. Whisk sugar and yolks in large bowl until thick, about 3 minutes. Gradually whisk in hot cream mixture, then vanilla and salt. Let stand 10 minutes. Strain custard, then divide among cups. Pour enough hot water into baking pan to come halfway up sides of cups.

Bake custards until just set in center, about 55 minutes. Remove custards from water bath; chill uncovered until firm, at least 3 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.)

Preheat broiler. Place custard cups on baking sheet. Strain brown sugar through small sieve onto custards, dividing equally. Broil until sugar melts and browns, about 2 minutes. Chill until topping is hard and crisp, at least 1 hour and up to 2 hours.

Combine raspberries and liqueur in bowl. Let stand at room temperature at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour. Spoon berry mixture atop custards.

Makes 8 servings.

 
Don't see why not. The only problem math is

half of 3/4 cup, but that comes out to 6 Tbsp, or 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp.

55 minutes looks like a looooong time though ...

 
I agree with Shaun about the time, emtd. Here's Cook's Ilustrated version for two:

Creme Brulee for Two
4/2007

Separate the eggs and whisk the yolks after the cream has finished steeping; if left to sit, the surface of the yolks will dry and form a film. The best way to judge doneness is with a digital instant-read thermometer. The custards, especially if baked in shallow fluted dishes, will not be deep enough to provide an accurate reading with a dial-face thermometer. For the caramelized sugar crust, we recommend turbinado or Demerara sugar. Regular granulated sugar will work, too. The amount of sugar needed for the topping will depend on the shape of the ramekin. Sprinkle enough sugar over the the top to cover, and then shake off the excess (about 1 - 1 1/2 teaspoons for turbinado sugar or 1 teaspoon for regular granulated sugar).

Serves 2
1 cup heavy cream , chilled
2 tablespoons granulated sugar plus 1 additional teaspoon
Pinch table salt
3 large egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 - 4 teaspoons turbinado sugar or Demerara sugar


1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 300 degrees.

2. Combine 1/2 cup cream, sugar, and salt in small saucepan; bring mixture to boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure that sugar dissolves.

3. Meanwhile, place kitchen towel in bottom of baking dish or roasting pan and arrange two 4- to 5-ounce ramekins (or shallow fluted dishes) on towel. Bring kettle or saucepan of water to boil over high heat.

4. After cream has cooled slightly, stir in remaining 1/2 cup cream to cool down mixture further. Whisk yolks in medium bowl until broken up and combined. Whisk in vanilla extract and about 1/4 cup cream mixture into yolks until loosened and combined; repeat with another 1/4 cup cream. Add remaining cream and whisk until evenly colored and thoroughly combined. Strain through fine-mesh strainer into 2-cup measuring cup or pitcher (or clean medium bowl); discard solids in strainer. Pour or ladle mixture into ramekins, dividing it evenly among them.

5. Carefully place baking dish with ramekins on oven rack; pour boiling water into dish, taking care not to splash water into ramekins, until water reaches two-thirds height of ramekins. Bake until centers of custards are just barely set and are no longer sloshy and digital instant-read thermometer inserted in centers registers 170 to 175 degrees, 35 to 40 minutes (30 to 35 minutes for shallow fluted dishes). Begin checking temperature about 5 minutes before recommended time.

6. Transfer ramekins to wire rack; cool to room temperature, about 2 hours. Set ramekins on rimmed baking sheet, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours or up to 4 days.

7. Uncover ramekins; if condensation has collected on custards, place paper towel on surface to soak up moisture. Sprinkle each with about 1 teaspoon turbinado sugar (1 1/2 teaspoons for shallow fluted dishes); tilt and tap ramekin for even coverage. Ignite torch and caramelize sugar. Refrigerate ramekins, uncovered, to re-chill, 30 to 45 minutes (but no longer); serve.

 
Re: Thanks both MarilynFL and Shaun in TO

I will try the Cooks Illustrated version (perhaps adding some lemon peel). I appreciate the help.
Betty

 
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