Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee

This is a very simple easy recipe that makes a great impression. You could use this as a base recipe and add other fun flavors like chocolate or almond extract. Have fun and be creative.
Ingredients:

• 1 extra-large egg
• 4 extra-large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon for each serving
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon orange liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier)
• 1 Vanilla Bean (scrap the inside)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the egg, egg yolks, and 1/2 cup of the sugar together on low speed until combined. Meanwhile, scald the cream in a small saucepan until it's very hot to the touch but not boiled. With the mixer on very low speed, slowly add the cream to the eggs. Add the vanilla and orange liqueur. Slice the vanilla bean in half the length of the bean. Scrap the insides of the vanilla bean and add to the mix. Pour the mix into 6 to 8 ounce ramekins until almost full.

Place the ramekins in a baking pan and carefully pour boiling water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the custards are set when gently shaken. Remove the custards from the water bath, cool to room temperature, and refrigerate until firm.

To serve, spread 1 tablespoon of the sugar evenly on the top of each ramekin and heat with a kitchen blowtorch until the sugar caramelizes evenly. Allow to sit at room temperature for a minute until the caramelized sugar hardens.