Key Lime Brulees

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 325.
2. 2
   Combine milk, sugar, and half-and-half in a small saucepan.
3. 3
   Heat mixture over medium heat to 180 or until tiny bubbles form around edge (do not boil), stirring occasionally.
4. 4
   Remove from heat.
5. 5
   Combine lime juice, egg yolks, and egg in a medium bowl, stirring well with a whisk.
6. 6
   Gradually add the hot milk mixture to egg mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk.
7. 7
   Divide the mixture evenly among 6 (4-ounce) ramekins or custard cups.
8. 8
   Place ramekins in a 13 x 9-inch baking pan, and add hot water to pan to a depth of 1 inch.
9. 9
   Bake for 30 minutes or until center barely moves when the ramekin is touched.
10. 10
    Remove ramekins from pan, and cool completely on a wire rack.
11. 11
    Cover and chill 4 hours to overnight.
12. 12
    Carefully sift 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar over each custard.
13. 13
    Holding a kitchen blowtorch about 2 inches from the top of each custard, heat the sugar, moving the torch back and forth, until the sugar is completely melted and caramelized (about 1 minute).
14. 14
    ***You can make the sugar topping on the stovetop instead.
15. 15
    Place 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon water in a saucepan.
16. 16
    Cook over medium heat 5 to 8 minutes or until mixture is golden.
17. 17
    Don't stir.
18. 18
    Immediately pour the sugar mixture evenly over the cold custards, spreading to form a thin layer on top.
19. 19
    Serve the custards immediately.