"Creamy and dreamy, this Pumpkin Spice Creme Brûlée features a custard filling laced with pumpkin spice and a layer of perfectly brûléed sugar on top. This decadent fall version of the classic french dessert is easier to make than you think and it can be made in advance, making it the perfect non-pie dessert for your Thanksgiving celebration."
1. Heat oven to 300ºF. Boil water for the water bath, preferably in a tea kettle for easy pouring. Place four 6-oz custard cups or ramekins into a 8x8 or 9x9 square pan.
3. Whisk together brown sugar and egg yolks in a medium sized bowl until it takes on a thick, creamy texture. Add the pumpkin spice and vanilla, then whisk to combine.
4. Heat cream and milk over medium heat until bubbles start to form at the edge and the cream gets hot. Stir occasionally and do not let it boil. About 5 minutes.
5. Temper the egg yolks by slowly adding about 1/4 cup of the hot milk and cream into the egg yolk mixture, while whisking constantly. Once incorporated repeat with another 1/4 cup of the milk and cream. Then add the custard mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk and cream. Whisk to combine completely. Adding the hot cream too quickly to the egg yolks will result in scrambled eggs.
7. Divide the custard mixture equally between the custard cups. Create the water bath by pouring the boiling water into the pan until it's half way up the side of the custard cups. Careful not to pour water into the custard.
9. Remove from the water bath as soon as you can safely handle them, to stop the cooking process. Cool to room temperature then refrigerate for a minimum of three hours.
10. Cover each custard with 1 1/2 teaspoons of white sugar, adjusting for ramekin width if needed. Brulee the tops with a kitchen torch until the sugar is caramelized. Serve immediately.