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    Home » Dessert

    Easy Crème Brûlée

    Published: Jul 29, 2023 · Modified: Nov 4, 2023 by Zimmy · This post may contain Amazon and other affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Easy Crème Brûlée. While it may seem like a sophisticated treat only enjoyed at a fancy restaurant, creating this luscious custard dessert at home is much easier than you might think!

    Four crème brûlée on napkins topped with berries and edible flowers.

    With this easy recipe and helpful tips, you can impress your guests or simply treat yourself to a restaurant-worthy dessert right at home. Watch how this velvety dessert was made here and listen to the first crack of the caramelized sugar…my favourite part!

    6 Helpful Crème Brûlée tips to ensure your success:

    1. There are only 5 ingredients in this recipe, so it is important to use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavour and texture.
    2. Make sure the cream is hot but not boiling when adding it to the egg mixture to avoid cooking the eggs. When bubbles appear at the edges, remove the pot from the heat.
    3. Straining the custard ensures a smooth and creamy texture, free from any lumps, foam or cooked egg bits.
    4. The water bath is essential for even cooking and preventing the custards from cracking. Carefully fill the dish with boiling water halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
    5. Allow the custards to chill for several hours or overnight for the best results.
    6. When caramelizing the sugar, be careful not to burn it. A kitchen torch gives you the best control.

    Ingredients

    • Egg yolks
    • Heavy cream
    • Salt
    • Vanilla extract
    • Sugar

    Instructions

    Preheat the oven to 325°F (175°C)

    Add the cream, salt and vanilla to a small pot and whisk to combine. With the heat on medium-low, warm the cream until bubbles appear at the edges. Remove the pot from the heat.

    Warm the cream in a pot until bubbles appear at the edges.

    In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks, then add the sugar and whisk together until smooth.

    Egg yolks and sugar whisked together until smooth.

    Whisking a little at a time (so that the eggs do not start to cook) add ⅓ cup of the warm cream mixture into the eggs. Then slowly add the rest of the cream.

    Slowly mix the warm cream mixture into the eggs.

    To ensure a smooth custard, place a fine-mesh strainer over a large liquid measuring cup. Then strain the cream mixture to remove excess foam, potential lumps or egg solids.

    Pour the mixture into the 4 x 5-ounce Crème Brulé ramekins

    Pour the cream egg mixture into the ramekins.
    Carefully place the ramekins on a sheet pan, then fill the dish with boiling water halfway up the sides of the ramakins.

    Carefully place the ramekins on a sheet pan, then fill the dish with boiling water halfway up the sides of the ramakins. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until almost fully set with a somewhat jiggly center. Remove the baking dish from the oven, and carefully transfer each ramekin to a wire rack to cool for about 60 minutes. Cover the ramakins and place them in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or up to 2 days, to fully set.

    When ready to serve, sprinkle each custard with 1 tablespoon of sugar in a thin layer. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the tops until the sugar melts and browns. When the topping cools it should be hard to the touch.

    . Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the tops until the sugar melts and browns

    Garnish with fresh berries, mint and edible flowers, optional. Serve within 30 minutes.

    Garnish Crème Brûlée with fresh berries, mint and edible

    Crème Brûlée Equipment

    • 4 x 5-ounce ramekins with 4.8″ diameter and 0.9″ height
    • Kitchen torch

    This easy Crème Brûlée recipe was cooked in my Hestan Duel fuel Range with the help of some Hestan Cuilinary cookware & mixing bowls.

    Proud Hestan and Hestan Culinary Ambassador. Opinions in this post are my own.

    Tried this recipe?

    If you get the chance to try this recipe, please drop back and leave us a comment and rating. We would love to know what you think.

    Cheers! James & Elaine

    📖 Recipe

    Four crème brûlée on napkins topped with berries and edible flowers.

    Easy Crème Brûlée

    Easy Crème Brûlée? Yes, it sure can be! While it may seem like a sophisticated treat only enjoyed at a fancy restaurant, creating this luscious custard dessert at home is much easier than you might think!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 25 minutes mins
    Cook Time 50 minutes mins
    Inactive time 5 hours hrs
    Total Time 5 hours hrs 55 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine French
    Servings 4 People

    Equipment

    • 4 5-ounce ramekins with 4.8″ diameter and 0.9″ height
    • 1 Kitchen torch

    Ingredients
      

    • 5 large egg yolks
    • 2 cups heavy 35% cream
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
    • ½ cup granulated sugar plus 4 tablespoons for caramelizing

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 325°F (175°C)
    • Add the cream, salt and vanilla to a small pot and whisk to combine. With the heat on medium-low, warm the cream until bubbles appear at the edges. Remove the pot from the heat.
    • In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks, then add the sugar and whisk together until smooth.
    • Whisking a little at a time (so that the eggs do not start to cook) add ⅓ cup of the warm cream mixture into the eggs. Then slowly add in the rest of the cream.
    • To ensure a smooth custard, place a fine-mesh strainer over a large liquid measuring cup. Then strain the cream mixture to remove excess foam, potential lumps or egg solids.
    • Pour the mixture into the 4 x 5-ounce Crème Brulé ramekins
    • Carefully place the ramekins on a sheet pan, then fill the dish with boiling water halfway up the sides of the ramakins. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until almost fully set with a somewhat jiggly center. Remove the baking dish from the oven, and carefully transfer each ramekin to a wire rack to cool for about 60 minutes. Cover the ramakins and place them in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or up to 2 days, to fully set.
    • When ready to serve, sprinkle each custard with 1 tablespoon of sugar in a thin layer. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the tops until the sugar melts and browns. When the topping cools it should be hard to the touch.
    • Garnish with fresh berries, mint and edible flowers, optional. Serve within 30 minutes.

    Notes

    6 Helpful Crème Brûlée Tips to Ensure Your Success:
    1. There are only 5 ingredients in this recipe, so it is important to use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavour and texture.
    2. Make sure the cream is hot but not boiling when adding it to the egg mixture to avoid cooking the eggs. When bubbles appear at the edges, remove the pot from the heat.
    3. Straining the custard ensures a smooth and creamy texture, free from any lumps or cooked egg bits.
    4. The water bath is essential for even cooking and preventing the custards from cracking. Carefully fill the dish with boiling water halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
    5. Allow the custards to chill for several hours or overnight for the best results.
    6. When caramelizing the sugar, be careful not to burn it. A kitchen torch gives you better control.
    Keyword creme brulee equipment, crème brûlée recipe for 4, ingredients creme brulee
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shanley steuart

      July 31, 2023 at 8:21 am

      5 stars
      One of my favourite drsserts.

      Reply
      • Zimmy

        July 31, 2023 at 12:55 pm

        Hi Shanley,
        It’s one my favourites as well and love that Zimmy’s recipe is easy to make! 😉
        Have a great day!
        Elaine & James

        Reply

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