Crème Brûlée is the ultimate French dessert—a luxurious, silky-smooth custard topped with a perfectly caramelized sugar crust. This classic recipe is easy to make with just 5 simple ingredients, yet it delivers a restaurant-quality treat every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Creamy & Smooth – Ultra-rich vanilla custard that melts in your mouth
✔ Crunchy Caramelized Sugar Top – The perfect crack with every bite!
✔ Only 5 Ingredients – No complicated techniques needed
✔ Make-Ahead Friendly – Great for entertaining!
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup granulated sugar, plus extra for topping
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (or 1 vanilla bean, scraped)
- Pinch of salt
How to Make Crème Brûlée
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Place 4 (6-ounce) ramekins in a deep baking dish.
Step 2: Heat the Cream
- In a saucepan, heat heavy cream over medium heat until hot but not boiling.
- If using a vanilla bean, split it lengthwise, scrape out the seeds, and add both the seeds and pod to the cream. Remove from heat and let it sit for 5 minutes to infuse the flavor.
Step 3: Make the Custard
- In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and salt until pale and slightly thickened.
- Slowly pour in the warm cream, whisking constantly to prevent scrambling the eggs.
- Stir in vanilla extract (if using instead of a vanilla bean).
Step 4: Bake in a Water Bath
- Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps.
- Divide the custard evenly among the ramekins.
- Pour hot water into the baking dish, filling it halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the custard is just set but slightly jiggly in the center.
Step 5: Chill & Caramelize
- Remove ramekins from the water bath and let cool. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight).
- When ready to serve, sprinkle 1-2 teaspoons of sugar evenly over each custard.
- Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar until golden and crispy. Alternatively, broil for 1-2 minutes under high heat (watch closely!).
- Let the caramel harden for 1-2 minutes, then crack and enjoy!
Serving Ideas & Variations
???? Citrus Twist: Add orange or lemon zest for a bright flavor.
???? Chocolate Crème Brûlée: Melt 2 oz of dark chocolate into the warm cream.
☕ Espresso Crème Brûlée: Stir in 1 tsp of instant espresso powder for a coffee-infused version.
???? Boozy Brûlée: Add 1 tbsp of rum or bourbon for a sophisticated kick.
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
???? Refrigerate: Custards can be made up to 3 days in advance. Add sugar and caramelize just before serving.
???? Not Freezer-Friendly: The custard texture may break when frozen.
Nutrition (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: 400
- Carbs: 28g
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 30g
- Fiber: 0g
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