Bulgarian Crème Caramel

Description
An international alternative to crème brûlée, this caramel is infused with vanilla and cinnamon to enhance a sweet tang. You can make this with real cream, nuts, and condensed milk in a caramel-based dessert for other occasions.

Ingredients

 * 1 liter milk
 * 8 eggs
 * 10 spoonfuls sugar, brown or white
 * 2 packets vanilla (or a couple of splashes or dashes) or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
 * a pinch of cinnamon
 * a spoonful of shredded lemon peel

Directions

 * 1) Mix the eggs and the milk well. Stir more than half of the sugar in and add the vanilla, cinnamon and lemon peel. Try the mixture and if you find it bland enough, add more sugar to taste. Melt the rest of the sugar in a non-stick pan, stirring occasionally so it does not burn.
 * 2) Pour the sugar in the 8-12 small pots (cup-size) and rotate each to cover the bottom. Pour in the egg and milk mixture. Place the small pots / cups in a pan with 2-3 cups water in the pan, and bake in an oven at 100-150 °C.
 * 3) Some thirty minutes later, check to see whether the creme is runny and bake a bit more until a golden crust is formed.
 * 4) Cool the creme, loosen the sides with a spoon, and turn it over on a plate. Serve with a swirl of whipped cream on top.