Hey, I remember the first time I tried making crème brûlée at home. It was for my best friend’s birthday dinner, and I wanted to surprise her with a fancy dessert. So I made creme brulle with Stirred Custard and Vanilla Mug Cake.
Armed with a simple recipe which I am gonna share with you through Beyond the Bayou Blog. I gathered all the ingredients and got to work. As I carefully tempered the eggs and whisked in the cream, I couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous. Would it turn out as delicious as the ones we had at our favorite restaurant?
After baking and chilling the custards, it was time for the moment of truth. With trembling hands, I sprinkled the sugar on top and caramelized it under the gentle flame of my kitchen torch. The aroma of caramelized sugar filled the air, and I couldn’t wait to dig in. With a satisfying crack, I broke through the crispy caramel crust to reveal the creamy custard beneath.
With each spoonful, my friend and I savored the luxurious texture and indulgent flavor. It was a moment of triumph and one that I’ll always cherish. Since then, crème brûlée has become a go-to dessert for special occasions, and each time I make it, I’m reminded of that unforgettable birthday celebration.
What is Crème Brûlée?
Crème brûlée is a classic dessert characterized by its velvety custard base topped with a layer of caramelized sugar. The custard is made by blending egg yolks, sugar, and cream, resulting in a smooth and creamy texture. After baking, the dessert is chilled, allowing the flavors to develop and the custard to set.
What makes crème brûlée truly special is the caramelization process that occurs just before serving. A thin layer of sugar is sprinkled over the chilled custard and then caramelized using a kitchen torch or broiler. This creates a crisp and golden topping that contrasts beautifully with the creamy base.
The dessert is often served in individual ramekins, making it an elegant and indulgent treat for special occasions or fine dining experiences. Its combination of creamy richness and caramelized sweetness has made it a beloved dessert around the world.
Crème Brûlée Recipe
Equipment
- Ramekins or oven-safe dishes
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk
- Saucepan
- Fine-mesh sieve
- Baking dish for water bath
- Kitchen Torch or Oven Broiler
Ingredients
- 4 ounce oval ramekins
- 5 large egg yolks
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar divided
- 3 cups heavy cream or heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 tbps espresso powder
- 1/4 tbps salt
- 1 tbps pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Gather egg yolks, sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar for caramelizing.
- Mix Egg Yolks and Sugar: Whisk yolks and sugar until smooth and pale.
- Heat Cream: Simmer cream and vanilla extract in a saucepan.
- Combine Mixtures: Slowly pour hot cream into egg mixture, whisking constantly.
- Strain Mixture: Strain through sieve to ensure smoothness.
- Divide and Bake: Pour custard into ramekins, place in a water bath, bake for 30-35 mins until set.
- Cool and Chill: Let cool, refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Caramelize Sugar: Sprinkle sugar over custard, torch or broil until golden and crispy.
- Serve: Enjoy your creamy, caramelized crème brûlée.
Notes
Nutrition
What to do with Leftovers?
- Refrigerate for Later: Store the leftover crème brûlée in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Simply enjoy it cold straight from the fridge as a delicious treat.
- Serve with Fresh Fruit: Enhance the leftovers by serving them with fresh berries, sliced fruit, or a fruit compote. The tartness of fruits like raspberries or strawberries complements the rich sweetness of the crème brûlée.
- Create a Trifle: Layer the crumbled leftover crème brûlée with whipped cream and fruit in a glass dish to create a trifle dessert. This adds a new dimension of flavor and texture to the leftovers.
- Blend into Milkshakes: Blend leftover crème brûlée with milk or ice cream to create a creamy milkshake with a unique twist. You can even add a splash of coffee or chocolate syrup for extra flavor.
- Make Crème Brûlée French Toast: Dip slices of bread in a mixture of beaten eggs, milk, and vanilla extract, then coat them with crumbled leftover crème brûlée. Cook the French toast on a griddle until golden brown and serve with maple syrup for a decadent breakfast or brunch.
- Use as Filling for Pastries: Fill pastries such as crepes, puff pastry shells, or croissants with the leftover crème brûlée for a delicious and easy dessert.
