Silken Lemon Creme Brulee

Elevate your dessert game with Silken Lemon Crème Brûlée—a luxurious twist on the classic French treat. This recipe combines the velvety smoothness of heavy cream with the zesty brightness of fresh lemon juice and lemon zest, creating a custard that’s irresistibly creamy yet refreshingly citrusy. Perfectly balanced with aromatic vanilla and a hint of salt, the custards are baked gently in a water bath to ensure flawless texture. For the ultimate indulgence, each serving is crowned with a crackly caramelized sugar crust that’s torched to golden perfection just before serving. Whether you’re hosting an elegant dinner party or craving a refined dessert, this make-ahead recipe promises a sophisticated treat capable of stealing the spotlight.

Nutriscore Rating: 43/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Heavy cream
• 5 large Egg yolks
• 1/3 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon Lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon Salt
• 4 tablespoons Turbinado or granulated sugar (for topping)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Arrange 4 ramekins in a deep baking dish and set aside.

Step 2

In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Do not let it boil. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 3

In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and pale yellow.

Step 4

Slowly pour the warm heavy cream into the egg yolk mixture while whisking continuously. This prevents the eggs from scrambling. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a pourable container to remove any solids.

Step 5

Divide the custard evenly among the prepared ramekins.

Step 6

Pour hot water into the baking dish, filling it halfway up the sides of the ramekins to create a water bath. This ensures even cooking.

Step 7

Carefully transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the custards are set but still slightly jiggly in the center.

Step 8

Remove the ramekins from the water bath and allow them to cool to room temperature. Cover each ramekin with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.

Step 9

Before serving, evenly sprinkle 1 tablespoon of turbinado or granulated sugar over the top of each custard.

Step 10

Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar, moving the flame in a circular motion until the sugar melts and forms a golden brown crust. Let sit for 1-2 minutes to harden.

Step 11

Serve immediately and enjoy the creamy, citrusy custard with the satisfying crack of the caramelized sugar topping.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(723.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2355.2

Total Fat 182.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 104.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 1402.5mg	0%
Sodium 494.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 124.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 1.2g	0%
Total Sugars 119.0g
Protein 13.7g	0%

Vitamin D 91.5IU	0%
Calcium 131.9mg	0%
Iron 2.3mg	0%
Potassium 151.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 74.8%

Protein: 2.5%

Carbs: 22.7%