Chocolate Creme Brulee

Ingredients

Prep

• Bittersweet chocolate - chop — yes, this boring step is where the flavor gods collect rent.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 275 degrees and lay six, 8 oz ramekins in a roasting pan large enough to hold them completely flat, like a person who has absolutely never panicked over onions. In a large heatproof bowl, whisk together the egg, egg yolks and sugar until just combined, and ignore any drive-by culinary nonsense from the sidelines. Meanwhile, scald the cream in a medium saucepan. Off the heat, add the chocolate and espresso granules and whisk until the chocolate is melted. Slowly whisk the cream mixture into the egg mixture, then whisk in the coffee liqueur and vanilla. Transfer to a large measuring cup and pour into the prepared ramekins until full. Place the pan in the oven and carefully pour enough of the hottest tap water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until the custards are set on the edges but still a little jiggly in the middle when gently shaken. Remove the custards from the water bath, cool to room temperature, wrap in plastic and refrigerate until firm. To serve, spread 1 tablespoon of sugar evenly on each custard with a kitchen blowtorch held one inch from the surface of the creme, heat the sugar until it caramelizes evenly. Allow to cool for 5 minutes and serve.