Homemade Butterscotch Pots de Creme

Thalia Ho

Despite looking, sounding and tasting rather fancy and impressive_,_ butterscotch pots de creme are among the most quick, adaptable and simple to make of all desserts. These traditional French baked custards are sinfully silky, velvety smooth and deeply flavored by the rich taste of caramelized sugar. A final flourish of flaky sea salt and a dollop of creme fraiche elevates these pots de creme to divine territory.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2  eggs
  • 5 egg yolks 
  • 1/4 cup superfine sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 

Step 1: Pre-Measure the Ingredients

For the best result, begin by measuring out all of your ingredients.

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Step 2: Preparation

Heat the oven to 300 F / 150 C. Arrange four to six heatproof ramekins in a baking dish or roasting pan set upon a baking tray. Bring a kettle of water to a boil.

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Step 3: Boil the Milk and Cream

In a medium saucepan, bring the heavy cream and whole milk to a gentle rolling boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

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Step 4: Melt the Butter and Sugar

Meanwhile, place the butter and brown sugar in a separate large saucepan set over medium to low heat. Stirring the mixture occasionally with a heatproof spatula, cook until the sugar has completely dissolved and the mixture begins to bubble and turn golden caramel in color, roughly 15 minutes.

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Step 5: Combine the Hot Cream and Sugar

Pour the hot cream mixture into the large saucepan with the caramelized brown sugar, and whisk constantly until the seething mixture settles down and is smooth. Add in the vanilla extract and remove from the heat.

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Step 6: Whisk the Eggs and Sugar

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, yolks, superfine sugar and sea salt until smooth and well combined.

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Step 7: Combine the Mixtures

Add a drizzle of the warm cream and sugar mixture to the egg mixture, and whisk vigorously to combine. Using this drizzle and whisk technique, slowly add in a quarter more of the cream mixture. Once the eggs are safely acclimatized to the heat, add the remaining cream and sugar mixture in a steady stream, whisking until uniform and combined.

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Step 8: Fill the Ramekins

Strain the mixture into a large liquid measuring cup, and then pour it into the ramekins.

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Step 9: Place the Boiled Water

Pour enough of the just-boiled water into the baking dish or roasting pan so that it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins.

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Step 10: Bake

Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the pots de creme are set around the outside but have a slight jiggle in the center.

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Step 11: Cool

Let the pots de creme cool in the baking dish or roasting pan for 10 minutes before carefully transferring them onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Let the pots de creme cool to room temperature before covering and refrigerating for at least 2 hours before serving.

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Step 12: Serve

Garnish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and a dollop of whipped cream or creme fraiche.

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