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1
Preheat the oven to 325*F.
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2
Place the cream, vanilla bean and its pulp into a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat, cover and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean and reserve for another use.
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3
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup sugar and the egg yolks until well blended and it just starts to lighten in color. Add the cream a little at a time, stirring continually. Pour the liquid into 6 (7 to 8-ounce) ramekins. Place the ramekins into a large cake pan or roasting pan. Pour enough hot water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake just until the creme brulee is set, but still trembling in the center, approximately 40 to 45 minutes. Remove the ramekins from the roasting pan and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.
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4
Remove the creme brulee from the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes prior to browning the sugar on top. Divide the remaining 1/2 cup vanilla sugar equally among the 6 dishes and spread evenly on top. Using a torch, melt the sugar and form a crispy top. Allow the creme brulee to sit for at least 5 minutes before serving.
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5
My Notes: Would recommend waiting overnight to eat. Consistency was firmer. I used regular sugar for the main recipe, and turbinado for the glaze. Made it in coffee mugs and topped with berries in vanilla sugar.
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6
I've made this recipe for my family twice now and it has been a hit both times. I seem to always end up with extra, making more like 9 instead of six servings, but extras never seem to go to waste. My family later had a creme brulee at a french restraunt in Vegas and said that they were as close as you could come. I highly recommend the vanilla bean but, I don't do the vanilla sugar. I just add a tablespoon of vanilla extract to the sugar and it seems to work just fine. I would recommend this recipe to anyone. You won't regret it.
