Crème Brûlée – Classic French Dessert

Crème brûlée is the perfect dessert for any special occasion. With its rich, creamy custard base and golden caramelized sugar topping, this classic French treat is an elegant indulgence that will impress your guests.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

🍮 Rich & Creamy Custard – Velvety texture that melts in your mouth.
🔥 Golden Caramelized Sugar – The perfect crunchy, golden topping.
⏳ Easy to Make – With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a stunning dessert.
🇫🇷 French Classic – A sophisticated dessert that never goes out of style.

What Is Crème Brûlée?

Crème brûlée, which means "burnt cream" in French, is a rich custard dessert topped with a layer of caramelized sugar. It is traditionally made with egg yolks, cream, sugar, and vanilla, and is baked in a water bath to achieve its silky texture. The final touch is the crunchy, golden sugar topping, which is created by briefly caramelizing the sugar with a kitchen torch.

Ingredients

For the Custard:
✅ 2 cups heavy cream
✅ 1 vanilla bean (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
✅ 5 large egg yolks
✅ 1/2 cup granulated sugar
✅ 1/4 tsp salt

For the Topping:
✅ 2 tbsp granulated sugar (for caramelizing)

How to Make Crème Brûlée (Step-by-Step Guide)

🔸 Preheat & Prepare
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Place 4-6 ramekins in a baking dish.

🔸 Heat the Cream
Warm the heavy cream over medium heat until hot but not boiling.

🔸 Whisk the Egg Yolks & Sugar
In a bowl, whisk together egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth.

🔸 Temper the Eggs
Slowly add the warm cream to the egg mixture, whisking continuously to avoid curdling.

🔸 Bake in a Water Bath
Pour the mixture into the ramekins. Add hot water to the baking dish, halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the custards are just set but still slightly jiggly in the center.

🔸 Chill the Custard
Cool the custards to room temperature, then refrigerate them for at least 4 hours (or overnight) to fully set.

🔸 Caramelize the Sugar
Sprinkle a thin, even layer of sugar over the top of each custard. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until golden brown and crisp.

🔸 Enjoy!
Serve immediately and enjoy the satisfying crunch of the caramelized sugar topping!

Serving Suggestions

🍓 With Fresh Berries – Add a pop of freshness to balance the richness.
☕ Pair with Coffee – A smooth espresso or cappuccino is a perfect match.
🍷 With Dessert Wine – Enjoy with a glass of sweet dessert wine for a luxurious touch.

Pro Tips for the Best Crème Brûlée

✔️ Use Fresh Ingredients – Fresh vanilla bean and high-quality cream make a huge difference.
✔️ Watch the Water Bath – Make sure the water reaches halfway up the ramekins to ensure even baking.
✔️ Chill Overnight – Allowing the custard to set overnight improves the texture and flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

🔹 Can I make Crème Brûlée ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the custards and refrigerate them for up to 2 days before caramelizing the sugar.

🔹 What if I don’t have a kitchen torch?
You can use your oven’s broiler—just watch closely to prevent burning.

🔹 Why is my custard too runny?
It may need more baking time. Make sure the center jiggles slightly but isn’t liquid before removing from the oven.

Final Thoughts 🍮

Crème brûlée is the ultimate indulgent dessert, perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to something special. With its velvety custard and satisfying caramelized sugar topping, this classic French dessert is sure to become a favorite. Enjoy!

Want More?

Craving more sweet delights? Dive into our Dessert Recipes for more irresistible creations!