Do you cook a creme brulee?

[learntojive]

I'm going to make creme brulee tomorrow, it's my favourite pudding!
I've bought my blow torch today so I'm all set but when I've looked at recipes there seems to be 2 ways to make it; one just a custard that you leave to set in the fridge and another where you bake the custard in a low oven in a bain marie.
Does anyone know which is the best way to do it?

[redcrx]

i made some for first time last week and made the custard over a bain marie on the stove before putting in dishes to set in fridge.

it took a while to make the custard but the result was perfect

[woofgang]

the make custard then let is set in the fridge is faster but if you are doing egg custard then there is a risk that it will cook too much too quickly and you will end up with scrambled egg. The bake in a low oven bain marie way is less risky but takes longer.

[ethandron]

i have a lovely recipe for fresh fruit brulee, made with creme fraish, ratafia biscuits, fresh fruit and soft brown sugar. it's much easier (and nicer i think) than faffing around making and baking custard. and you still use the blow torch :)

[learntojive]

thanks everyone, I'm doing the bain marie method today and will try the other way next time.
ethandron I'd love to try that if you have the time to post the quantities, it sounds lovely.

[ethandron]

fresh fruit brulee

8 oz. strawbs
4 oz. white grapes halved
1 fresh peach sliced
8-10 ratafia biscuits
2 x 200ml tubs creme fraiche
4-6oz. light brown soft sugar

arrange fruit in the base of a heatproof soufle (deepish) type dish or 4 individual ramekins. place ratafia biscuits on top. spoon over creme fraiche to completely seal in the fruit and chill for at least an hour. sprinkle sugar over and smooth the top, place under a preheated hot grill for 1-2 minutes to caramelise or use blowtorch.

you can adjust all the ingredients to suit. use canned fruit or any other fresh fruit you like, soft fruit is best. you can add liqueur or brandy. use any almond macaroon biscuits. you can use greek yoghurt instead of creme fraiche. light muscavado sugar can be used instead of light brown soft sugar.

i always use a lot more fruit than the recipe says, and i totally cover the fruit with ratafia biscuits, about 20 of them. enjoy :)

[learntojive]

Lovely, I'll have a go at that thanks very much

...by the way, the creme brulee was nice but didn't set quite enough. It said 30 mins in oven on really low but I had it in nearly an hour. I'll try another recipe next time until I get it right.Thanks everyone

[scarlets fan]

At last, I have found a Creme Brulee Mix (Tesco). Tried it and it tastes fine. Very easy add cream and milk to powdered mix, cook in saucepan, leave in fridge - then out comes the blowtorch!!