Creme Brulee Recipe
Crème brûlée is a classic French dessert that captivates the senses with its elegant simplicity. This indulgent treat features a rich and creamy custard base, typically made from heavy cream, egg yolks, and vanilla, which is baked to silky perfection. What truly sets crème brûlée apart is its signature caramelized sugar topping, achieved by sprinkling sugar over the custard and using a kitchen torch or broiler to create a crispy, glass-like crust. The delightful contrast of the smooth custard and the crunchy topping makes each spoonful a heavenly experience. Often served in charming ramekins, crème brûlée is perfect for special occasions, dinner parties, or simply as a luxurious end to a meal. Its versatility allows for various flavor infusions, from classic vanilla to chocolate, coffee, or even fruit, ensuring there’s a crème brûlée for every palate.
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 4 egg yolks
- 2/3 cups of sugar
- 1 vanilla bean split and seeds scraped out (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
- Plus extra sugar for topping appx 1 tablespoon for each
Directions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Pour cream, half the sugar, and vanilla into a saucepan. Heat on medium until the cream becomes slightly steamy and small bubbles form. (do not let this boil) Set off to the side of the heat and let the vanilla steep for another minute or so.
- Combine egg yolks and remaining sugar and gently whisk till the eggs are a pale yellow and the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Slowly add cream mixture to the eggs a little at a time while gently stirring with a whisk (tempering the eggs) Do not rush this part or you will cook your eggs.
- pour your mixture thru a strainer to remove any lumps and vanilla husk and seeds.
- place ramekins in a pan and pour the mixture into shallow ramekins (90% full)
- Pour boiling water into the pan to create a water bath which will help your custard cook evenly.
- Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the custard is set and the center jiggles just a bit (refer to video)
- Remove from oven and let cool to room temp. Then place the ramekins in the fridge for at least 1 hour overnight is preferable.
- Place one tablespoon of sugar in each ramekin and rotate to spread the sugar evenly.
- Use a cooking torch to caramelize the sugar place it back in the fridge till cool and enjoy!
Tips:
Crème brûlée is a wonderfully versatile dessert that can be infused with various flavors to suit different tastes. Here are some popular flavor variations:
- Vanilla: The classic flavor, often made with whole vanilla beans or high-quality vanilla extract, provides a rich and aromatic base.
- Chocolate: Adding melted chocolate or cocoa powder to the custard creates a decadent chocolate crème brûlée that’s perfect for chocolate lovers.
- Coffee: Infusing the cream with brewed coffee or espresso gives a delightful caffeine kick and a deep, robust flavor.
- Citrus: Lemon, orange, or lime zest can brighten the custard, offering a refreshing and zesty twist on the traditional recipe.
- Lavender: Infusing the cream with dried lavender flowers provides a floral note that pairs beautifully with the creamy custard.
- Matcha: Incorporating matcha green tea powder adds a unique earthy flavor and vibrant green color, making for a stunning dessert.
With these variations, you can elevate your crème brûlée experience and impress your guests with delightful new flavor profiles!
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