Description
Crème Brûlée is a rich and creamy French dessert featuring a smooth vanilla custard topped with a caramelized sugar crust. This elegant dessert is surprisingly easy to make at home, requiring just a few simple ingredients. With its silky texture and satisfying crunch, it’s perfect for special occasions or a luxurious treat any time.
Ingredients
Scale
Custard:
- 2 cups (480ml) heavy cream
- 1 vanilla bean (or 2 tsp pure vanilla extract)
- 5 large egg yolks
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/8 tsp salt
Caramelized Sugar Topping:
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Place a large baking dish or roasting pan in the oven to serve as a water bath for the ramekins.
- Heat the Cream: In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until hot but not boiling. If using a vanilla bean, slice it open, scrape the seeds into the cream, and add the pod. Let it steep for 10 minutes, then remove the pod.
- Whisk Egg Yolks and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, granulated sugar, and salt until the mixture becomes pale and slightly thick.
- Temper the Eggs: Slowly pour the warm cream into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling. Stir in the vanilla extract if using.
- Strain the Mixture: Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any curdled egg bits and achieve a smooth texture.
- Fill Ramekins: Divide the custard evenly among 4-6 ramekins, filling them about ¾ full.
- Bake in a Water Bath: Place the ramekins in the preheated roasting pan. Pour hot water into the pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
- Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly.
- Cool and Chill: Remove the ramekins from the water bath and let them cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- Caramelize the Sugar: Before serving, sprinkle a thin, even layer of sugar over each custard. Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar until golden and crisp. Let it sit for a minute to harden before serving.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately with a crisp caramel top and creamy custard beneath.
Notes
- Flavor Variations: Add a splash of liqueur (Grand Marnier, Kahlua) or infuse the cream with citrus zest, espresso, or lavender.
- Alternative Sugars: Try using demerara or brown sugar for a slightly different caramelized flavor.
- Torch Alternative: If you don’t have a torch, place the ramekins under a broiler for a few minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Make-Ahead Tip: The custards can be made 2 days in advance and caramelized just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ramekin (1/4 to 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: ~350 kcal
- Sugar: ~20g
- Sodium: ~50mg
- Fat: ~30g
- Saturated Fat: ~18g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~10g
- Trans Fat: ~0g
- Carbohydrates: ~25g
- Fiber: ~0g
- Protein: ~4g
- Cholesterol: ~200mg