To make hard boiled eggs, boil the eggs for about 10 to 12 minutes. The typical method is to place eggs in a pot, cover them with cold water by about an inch, bring the water to a rolling boil, then remove the pot from heat and let the eggs sit in the hot water for 10 to 12 minutes depending on size and preference. After cooking, immediately transfer the eggs to an ice water bath to stop the cooking process and make peeling easier
. Here are some detailed timing guidelines:
- 10 minutes: classic hard boiled egg with mashable but not dry yolk
- 10-12 minutes: fully cooked hard boiled eggs with firm yolks; 10 minutes yields creamy yolks, 12 minutes yields paler, chalkier yolks
- 12 minutes: firm yolk, fully hard boiled
The ice bath should last at least 14-15 minutes to cool the eggs completely and prevent overcooking
. In summary, for perfect hard boiled eggs, boil then let sit in hot water for 10-12 minutes, then cool immediately in ice water before peeling
