This rich custard dessert is real favorite during the holidays. You can use a small blow torch to brown the sugar, instead of the broiler.

4 cups heavy whipping cream
9 egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Brown sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a large and heavy saucepan, heat the cream to exactly 180 degrees over medium heat; stir frequently.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sugar and vanilla. When the cream reaches a temperature of 180 degrees, slowly stir the cream into the egg yolk mixture.

Pour mixture into eight 6-ounce custard cups. Place the cups into a baking pan. Add 1-inch of boiling water to the pan. Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Take custard cups out of the pan.

Before serving, sprinkle each cup with brown sugar. Put the cups onto a baking sheet. Heat up the broiler. Broil 6-inches from the heat source for 3 to 5 minutes or until the sugar on top is carmelized. Serve immediately.

Makes 8 servings.

Christmas Baking Recipes: French Vanilla Cream Puffs

These elegant cream puffs are surprisingly easy to make.

1 cup water
1/2 cup butter
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
Cream Puff Filling

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Prepare baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.

In a saucepan, add butter to water and bring to a boil. Add in the flour and salt together; stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each one. Beat until mixture is smooth and shiny.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2-inches apart onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove puffs to wire racks or plates. Immediately cut a slit into each puff to allow the steam to escape. Let puff cool.

Split puffs in two and remove the soft dough. Add filling.

Cream Puff Filling

1 1/2 cups cold milk
1 pkg. instant French vanilla pudding mix
1 cup whipped topping
1 pkg. miniature semisweet chocolate chips
Confectioners' sugar

Directions

In a bowl, beat the milk and pudding mix on low speed for 2 minutes. Let sit in the refrigerator for 5 minutes. Fold in the whipped topping and chocolate chips. Remove puff pastry tops. Fill each puff pastry with cream filling right before serving; put tops back on puff pastry. Dust each pastry with confectioners' sugar.

Christmas Baking Recipes: Banana Cream Brownie Dessert

An irresistibly decadent chocolate dessert.

1 pkg. fudge brownie mix
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided
3/4 cup dry roasted peanuts, chopped and divided
3 medium firm bananas
1 2/3 cups cold milk
2 pkgs. instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (8 oz.) carton frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare a 13x9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Prepare brownie batter according to package directions for making fudge-like brownies. Stir in 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips. Stir in 1/4 cup of the peanuts. Spread mixture into prepared pan.

Bake for 28 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Let cool.

Slice up the bananas and arrange in a single layer on top of brownies, Take the remaining chocolate chips and chop them up. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the chocolate chips and 1/4 cup of the peanuts over the banana layer.

In a large bowl, beat the milk and pudding mixes on low speed for 2 minutes. Fold the whipped topping into pudding mixture. Spread on top of chocolate chip and banana layer.

Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips and nuts on top.

Makes 12 to 15 servings.