Lemon Custards with Lemon Verbena

Delicate and creamy lemon custards infused with aromatic lemon verbena leaves and fresh lemon peel. These elegant individual desserts are slowly baked in a water bath until perfectly set.

6 servings
5 hr

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water
  • 14 pieces lemon verbena leaves
  • 10 strips lemon peel
  • 6 tablespoons sugar
  • cups whipping cream
  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine first 3 ingredients in medium saucepan. Boil until mixture is reduced to 1/2 cup, about 4 minutes. Add sugar; simmer until mixture is reduced to 1/3 cup, about 3 minutes. Stir in cream. Whisk yolks to blend in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in hot cream mixture. Whisk in lemon juice.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Strain custard through sieve into 4-cup measuring cup. Divide among six 2-cup ramekins or soufflé dishes. Cover ramekins with foil. Place ramekins in 13 x 9 x 2-inch metal baking pan. Add enough hot water to pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    Bake custards until just set, about 45 minutes. Remove pan from oven; let custards cool in water in pan. Transfer ramekins to refrigerator. Chill at least 4 hours or overnight. Serve chilled.

    285 min