Perfect Cr?me Brul?e

Step 1
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Move an oven rack to the lowest position.

Step 2
Whisk egg yolks, 1/4 white sugar, and vanilla together in a stainless steel bowl until smooth. Bring cream just to a simmer in a saucepan over medium-low heat; pour into egg yolk mixture, whisking continuously until combined.

Step 3
Bring a couple of inches of water to a simmer in an oven-safe saucepan over medium-low heat; set the bowl with cream mixture over the saucepan to form a double boiler.

Step 4
Place the entire double boiler into the preheated oven; bake until mixture sets, about 30 minutes.

Step 5
Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

Step 6
Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.

Step 7
Combine 2 tablespoons white sugar and brown sugar in a small bowl; sprinkle evenly over cold cr?me.

Step 8
Heat under the preheated broiler until sugar melts and browns, 2 to 3 minutes; return immediately to the refrigerator and chill until sugar is set, about 15 minutes.