The Best Crème Brûlée Recipe

This classic French Crème Brûlée recipe is the epitome of elegance. With its smooth, velvety custard base and perfectly caramelized sugar topping, it’s a dessert that’s sure to impress. Crack through the crunchy, golden top to reveal the rich, creamy filling beneath—pure indulgence in every bite. Perfect for special occasions or a delightful treat after dinner! #CremeBrulee #FrenchDessert #SophisticatedSweets #CustardDessert #SweetIndulgence

Ingredients

• 5 large egg yolks
• ½ cup (100g) sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups (476g) heavy cream
• A pinch of salt (optional)
• 2 tbsp sugar (for the caramelized topping)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 320°F (160°C).
2. Separate the egg yolks and place them in a bowl. Add sugar, salt (optional), and vanilla extract to the yolks, then whisk gently until smooth.
3. In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Do not let it boil.
4. Slowly pour the hot cream into the egg mixture, whisking continuously to avoid curdling.
5. Strain the custard mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove any lumps.
6. Pour the custard evenly into 4 ramekins and place them in a baking dish. Add hot water to the baking dish until it reaches about two-thirds up the sides of the ramekins (creating a water bath).
7. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the custards are set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
8. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
9. Before serving, sprinkle 2 tbsp of sugar over the top of each custard and caramelize using a kitchen torch or under a broiler on high heat until golden and crispy.
10. Let the caramelized sugar cool for a few minutes, then crack the surface and enjoy the luscious custard with every bite!

Notes

• Be sure to strain the custard mixture to ensure it’s silky smooth.
• The water bath helps ensure the custard cooks evenly without curdling.
• Refrigerating overnight helps the custard firm up for the best texture.

Nutrition

• Calories: 289 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 23g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Cholesterol: 266mg
• Sodium: 55mg
• Potassium: 120mg
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 22g
• Vitamin A: 20% DV
• Vitamin C: 0% DV
• Calcium: 6% DV
• Iron: 1% DV