Perfect Crème Brulée

Perfect Crème Brulée
  • PREP TIME
    15 mins
  • COOK TIME
    35 mins
  • TOTAL TIME
    3 hrs 5 mins
  • SERVING
    4 People
  • VIEWS
    91

Indulge in the timeless elegance of Crème Brûlée, a symphony of velvety custard and a crisp, caramelized sugar crust. This decadent dessert is surprisingly simple to create at home, offering a delightful textural contrast and a rich, satisfying flavor.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

Nutrition

  • Carbohydrate
    23 g
  • Cholesterol
    160 mg
  • Fiber
    0 g
  • Protein
    4 g
  • Saturated Fat
    15 g
  • Sodium
    37 mg
  • Sugar
    23 g
  • Fat
    24 g
  • Unsaturated Fat
    0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Prepare the oven: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Position an oven rack on the lowest level. (5 minutes)

02

Step

Combine base ingredients: In a heatproof bowl, whisk together egg yolks, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. (3 minutes)

03

Step

Infuse cream: In a saucepan over medium-low heat, gently heat the heavy cream until it just begins to simmer. Gradually whisk the hot cream into the egg yolk mixture, incorporating it slowly to prevent curdling. Whisk continuously until fully combined. (7 minutes)

04

Step

Double boiler method: In a saucepan, bring a couple of inches of water to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Place the bowl with the cream mixture over the saucepan, creating a double boiler. Cook, stirring gently with a wooden spoon, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon smoothly. (15-20 minutes)

05

Step

Bake: Pour the hot cream mixture into a heat-proof baking dish or individual ramekins, arranging them on a rimmed baking sheet. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake until the custard is set but still slightly jiggly in the center. (20-30 minutes)

06

Step

Chill: Remove from oven and let cool slightly, then refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours to allow the custard to set completely. (120 minutes)

07

Step

Prepare the topping: Preheat the oven's broiler and position an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source. In a small bowl, combine the 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar and the brown sugar. (3 minutes)

08

Step

Caramelize: Evenly sprinkle the sugar mixture over the chilled crème brûlée. Place under the preheated broiler until the sugar melts and caramelizes to a golden-brown crust. (2-3 minutes)

09

Step

Final chill: Immediately return the crème brûlée to the refrigerator to chill until the caramelized sugar is set, approximately 15 minutes. Serve and enjoy the delightful crack of the caramelized sugar!

For an extra smooth custard, strain the cream mixture through a fine-mesh sieve before pouring into the baking dish or ramekins.
Watch the crème brûlée closely under the broiler to prevent the sugar from burning. Adjust the rack position as needed.
If you don't have a broiler, a kitchen torch can be used to caramelize the sugar. Move the flame evenly across the surface for best results.
For alternative flavoring, consider infusing the cream with citrus zest, coffee beans, or spices like cinnamon or cardamom.

Branson Heaney

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.6/ 5 ( 30 Ratings)
Total Reviews: (8)
  • Winnifred Cummerata

    I've always been intimidated by crème brûlée, but this recipe made it so easy. Thank you!

  • Cecelia Purdy

    I used individual ramekins, and they turned out perfectly. This recipe is a winner!

  • Augustine Ondricka

    This is the best crème brûlée I've ever made! The instructions are clear and easy to follow.

  • Jerrold Breitenberg

    The chilling time is crucial for the custard to set properly. Don't skip it!

  • Clair Tremblay

    My family devoured this! It's definitely going into my regular dessert rotation.

  • Ada Grant

    The brown sugar adds a lovely depth of flavor to the topping. I highly recommend it!

  • Ellie Rolfson

    This recipe is foolproof! The custard was so creamy and the sugar crust was perfectly caramelized.

  • Shanelle Aufderhar

    I accidentally over-broiled the sugar a bit, but it still tasted amazing! Just be sure to watch it closely.

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