Recipe: Cheeca Lodge Chocolate Creme Brulee

Note: This recipe, from the Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada, Fla., uses 15 egg yolks and a quart of cream--for starters. Is it any wonder that it tastes terrific?

15 egg yolks

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup half and half

1 vanilla bean

1 quart whipping cream

4 ounces semisweet chocolate

Raw or granulated sugar

Beat egg yolks with 3/4 cup sugar. Bring half and half and vanilla bean to boil. Stir small amount half-and-half mixture into egg yolk mixture, then return to remaining half-and-half mixture, stirring to blend well. Stir in whipping cream. Strain.

Shave chocolate and place in 13x9-inch baking dish. Fill baking dish with cream mixture. Place baking dish in larger pan filled halfway with hot water. Bake in water bath at 325 degrees 60 minutes or until set.

Coat surface evenly with sugar and broil until sugar caramelizes. Makes 12 servings.