Description
A silky-smooth French classic featuring creamy vanilla custard and a perfectly caramelized sugar crust, crème brûlée is an elegant dessert that’s surprisingly simple to make at home.
Ingredients
- Heavy Cream: 2 cups (480 ml) – The rich foundation that gives the custard its lush texture.
- Egg Yolks: 5 large – They thicken the custard and add golden richness.
- Granulated Sugar: 1/2 cup (100 grams) – Sweetens the custard and provides the topping.
- Vanilla Bean or Extract: 1 whole bean or 1 1/2 teaspoons extract – Infuses the custard with deep, warm flavor.
- Salt: A pinch – Balances the sweetness and enhances the vanilla.
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Set your oven to 325°F (160°C). Place your ramekins in a deep baking dish.
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, 1/4 cup of sugar, and a pinch of salt until pale. In a saucepan, heat the cream and vanilla until just simmering. Slowly whisk the hot cream into the yolks to temper them.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Strain the mixture into a pitcher. Pour evenly into ramekins. Fill the baking dish with hot water halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
- Assemble the Dish: Carefully transfer the baking dish to the oven. Bake for 30–35 minutes until custards are just set with a slight jiggle.
- Cook to Perfection: Remove ramekins from the water bath and cool to room temperature. Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Finishing Touches: Sprinkle a thin layer of remaining sugar over each custard. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize until golden and glassy.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let stand for 5 minutes so the sugar hardens, then dig in with a spoon and listen for that satisfying crack.
Notes
- Use shallow ramekins for a larger brûlée surface.
- Chill completely before torching for the crispiest top.
- Do not boil the cream to avoid scrambling eggs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ramekin
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 210mg
Keywords: creme brulee, french dessert, vanilla custard, easy creme brulee, homemade creme brulee