Indulge in the creamy elegance of Perfect Crème Brûlée, a timeless dessert that strikes the perfect balance between silky vanilla custard and a satisfyingly crisp caramelized sugar topping. This recipe uses a rich blend of heavy cream and five golden egg yolks, infused with the delicate essence of real vanilla bean for an authentic, luxurious flavor. The custard is gently baked in a water bath to ensure an ultra-smooth texture, then chilled to perfection before the pièce de résistance: the caramelized sugar crust, achieved with a kitchen torch or broiler. With just 15 minutes of prep time and simple steps, this easy crème brûlée recipe is your go-to for impressing dinner guests or savoring a sweet moment of indulgence. Whether you enjoy cracking into the sugar crust or delighting in the creamy custard, this dessert is a showstopper every time!
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Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
In a medium saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it begins to steam, but do not let it boil.
If using a vanilla bean, split it lengthwise, scrape out the seeds, and add both the seeds and pod to the cream. If using vanilla extract, wait to add it until after the cream is heated.
Remove the saucepan from heat and let the cream cool for 5 minutes. Remove the vanilla pod if used.
In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks and 1/3 cup granulated sugar together until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened.
Gradually add the warm cream to the egg mixture, a little at a time, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from scrambling. If using vanilla extract, add it now.
Strain the custard mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any cooked egg bits or impurities.
Place 4 ramekins in a deep baking dish. Divide the custard mixture evenly among the ramekins.
Carefully fill the baking dish with hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins, creating a water bath to ensure even cooking.
Bake the custards in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers still have a slight jiggle when gently shaken.
Remove the ramekins from the water bath and let them cool to room temperature. Once cooled, cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 3 days.
When ready to serve, sprinkle about 3/4 teaspoon of granulated sugar evenly over the surface of each custard.
Use a kitchen torch to melt the sugar and create a crispy, caramelized topping. Alternatively, you can place the ramekins under a broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
Let the caramelized sugar cool for 1 minute to harden before serving. Enjoy your perfect creme brulee!
Serving size | (674.4g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 2295.9 |
Total Fat 182.7g | 0% |
Saturated Fat 104g | 0% |
Cholesterol 1402.5mg | 0% |
Sodium 199.4mg | 0% |
Total Carbohydrate 107.9g | 0% |
Dietary Fiber 0.3g | 0% |
Total Sugars 105.0g | |
Protein 13.6g | 0% |
Vitamin D 91.5IU | 0% |
Calcium 116.2mg | 0% |
Iron 2.5mg | 0% |
Potassium 99.8mg | 0% |
Source of Calories