Cheeca Lodge Chocolate Creme Brulee

Source: Cheeca Lodge - Islamorada, Florida

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

Shave chocolate (or use chocolate chips) and place in 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Fill with cream mixture. Place dish in large pan filled half full of hot water. Bake in water bath at 325 degrees F for 60 minutes.

Coat surface evenly with sugar and broil until sugar caramelizes.

Makes 12 generous servings.