Creme Brûlée – This extraordinary dessert is crafted from a handful of basic ingredients: creamy heavy cream, sweet sugar, velvety egg yolks, and flavorful vanilla bean. What truly sets this impressive treat apart is the special method used to create it.
This custard is carefully baked in individual dishes placed in a water bath. Afterward, it’s chilled to firm up. For the perfect finishing touch, a layer of plain sugar is sprinkled on top and then caramelized with a hot flame.
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What is Creme Brûlée?
Crème brûlée is a French dessert, which translates to “burnt cream.” It consists of a creamy custard with a hardened, caramelized sugar layer on top. The combination of these two contrasting textures makes it a favorite dessert for many.
Usually, it’s prepared in individual dishes called “ramekins” and served chilled. While you can make it in various flavors, the classic and most commonly found variation is vanilla.
Cracking through the perfectly golden brown, candy-like shell into the silky-smooth custard beneath is a truly indulgent experience. It’s proof that sometimes, the simplest ingredients can create the most exquisite recipes.
While this dessert may seem intimidating to make, it’s actually quite easy if you follow the right method.
If you’re wondering where to buy a culinary torch for caramelizing the sugar on top, you can find them on Amazon, Bed Bath and Beyond, Lowes, Target, Walmart, Williams Sonoma, Sur La Table, and many other kitchen supply stores. Using a culinary torch provides more control over how evenly the sugar melts compared to using a broiler.
Where Can I Buy a Culinary Torch?
If you are looking to purchase a kitchen torch you can get them on Amazon. Bed Bath and Beyond, Lowes, Target, Walmart, Williams Sonoma, Sur La Table are more places that sell them to name a few.
Some recipes use the broiler to caramelize the sugar in making creme brûlée, but I prefer to use a culinary torch because it gives you more control over how evenly the sugar melts.
If you don’t have a kitchen torch and don’t want to invest in one, you can caramelize the sugar on your crème brûlée using the broiler in your oven. Here’s how to do it:
Ensure that the dishes you are using are broiler-proof.
Once the custards are chilled, set your oven rack about 5-6 inches away from the broiler.
Place the custards on a rimmed baking sheet, cover them with sugar, and broil for about 5 minutes, or until the sugar caramelizes. Keep a close watch on them because they can burn fast.
Helpful Tips for Creme Brûlée:
These desserts are best served within a few hours of caramelizing the sugar.
You can make the custards a day or two in advance, but wait to add the sugar and caramelize it until you’re ready to serve. The sugar softens if left in the fridge.
Be careful not to over-bake the custards, as it may affect the texture.
While baking your crème brûlée, be sure not to under-bake it. If you do, the custard will be runny. The ideal indicator for doneness is when they just barely jiggle in the center. This ensures that the custard sets properly and maintains its creamy texture.
Plan ahead with this dessert. It needs plenty of time to chill and set completely.
If you prefer your crème brûlée to be even richer, you can use 10 egg yolks in the recipe instead of 8.
More Tempting Dessert Recipes to Try
Crème Brûlée
Creamy custard meets a perfectly caramelized sugar crust in this classic Crème Brûlée, It’s the ultimate blend of elegance and simplicity, just like the best things in life.
Servings: 7 -6 oz Ramekins
Prep: 1 hour 40 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Ready in: 2 hours 30 minutes
Ingredients
4 cups of heavy cream
3/4 cup + 1/3 cup of granulated sugar (divided)
1/8 teaspoon of salt
8 large egg yolks
1 vanilla bean
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Hot water for the water bath
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Also, heat a pot or kettle of hot water for the water bath.
- Pour the cream into a medium saucepan. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean and add them to the saucepan along with the vanilla bean pod.
- Heat the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until it reaches a simmer. Remove it from the heat and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup of granulated sugar and salt with the egg yolks until the mixture becomes slightly pale.
- While whisking, slowly pour the cream mixture into the egg yolk mixture. Stir in the vanilla extract and remove the vanilla bean pod.
- Place your ramekins into baking pans. Divide the cream mixture among the ramekins, filling each nearly full. Pour hot water into the pan, making sure not to get any in the ramekins, and fill the water level to about halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-45 minutes until set, but the centers should still jiggle slightly. The baking time may vary based on the size of the ramekins you’re using. It will be less for smaller ramekins and more for larger ones.
- Cool the ramekins at room temperature for 30 minutes, then transfer them to the refrigerator to chill for 3 hours.
- Sprinkle the tops evenly with the remaining sugar. Using a handheld kitchen torch, hold it about 4 inches from the sugar and evenly brown it. Remove the flame just before achieving the desired shade.
- Serve the crème brûlée right away or, for a fully chilled dessert, return it to the refrigerator and chill for an additional 20-30 minutes.
Notes:
- For the best experience, it’s recommended to serve crème brûlée within a few hours of caramelizing the sugar. This ensures that you enjoy the ideal texture and flavor of this delightful dessert. You can make the custards a day or two in advance, but wait to add the sugar and caramelize it until you’re ready to serve. The sugar softens when left in the fridge.
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