- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 egg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon dark rum (optional)
- 1 teaspoon brandy (optional)
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
- Over medium heat in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring milk, cream and sugar just to a boil. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and let sit for 10 minutes.
- In medium bowl, with fork, mix together yolks and egg just to break them up without incorporating a lot of air. Slowly add milk mixture, stirring with wooden spoon. Strain mixture through sieve into a pitcher; stir in nutmeg, cloves, and if desired, rum and brandy. Let mixture rest, without stirring, for 1 minute. Skim off any bubbles or foam remaining on surface.
- Pour scant 1/2 cups of mixture into 6, 4-ounce pots de creme cups or 3-inch ramekins.
- Set custards in a baking dish; fill dish with very hot tap water to come about two-thirds up sides of cups. If using pot de creme cups, cover with lids, otherwise cover pan with aluminum foil.
- Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until custards are set. Remove from oven and water bath to cooling rack.
- Cool to room temperature; cover and refrigerate 3 hours or overnight.
- Serve lightly chilled.