🍮 Classic Crème Brûlée Recipe – Silky Custard with a Caramelized Sugar Top
Make the perfect creamy crème brûlée at home with this foolproof recipe. Silky vanilla custard topped with crackly caramelized sugar—just like a fancy French bistro!
📝 Introduction
Crème Brûlée is the ultimate elegant dessert—rich, creamy vanilla custard with a crisp, caramelized sugar crust you crack with a spoon. This French classic may look fancy, but it’s surprisingly easy to make at home using just a few ingredients.
In this post, you’ll learn how to make creamy, restaurant-style crème brûlée step-by-step, with tips for achieving that perfect glassy sugar topping.
🧾 Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 vanilla bean or 1 ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for topping
- Pinch of salt
🍽️ Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Place 4 ramekins in a deep baking dish.
Step 2: Heat the Cream
In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream with the vanilla bean (or extract) over medium heat until just steaming. Do not boil. Remove from heat and let it infuse.
Step 3: Make the Custard
- In a mixing bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and salt until light and slightly thickened.
- Slowly pour warm cream into the yolks, whisking constantly to avoid curdling.
- Strain the mixture to remove lumps and vanilla bean pods.
Step 4: Bake in a Water Bath
- Pour custard into ramekins.
- Fill the baking dish with hot water halfway up the ramekins.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, until edges are set but center is still slightly wobbly.
Step 5: Chill
Remove ramekins from water bath and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight).
Step 6: Caramelize the Sugar
- Just before serving, sprinkle 1–2 teaspoons sugar evenly over each custard.
- Use a kitchen torch (or broiler) to caramelize until golden and crisp.
- Let rest for 1–2 minutes before serving.
💡 Tips for Perfect Crème Brûlée
- Use room temperature egg yolks to avoid curdling.
- Strain the custard for an ultra-smooth texture.
- Don’t overbake—center should jiggle like Jell-O.
- Torch, don’t broil if possible—for best sugar crust.
📚 What Is Crème Brûlée?
Crème brûlée, meaning “burnt cream” in French, is a classic dessert made of rich custard topped with a layer of hardened caramelized sugar. It’s a staple in French cuisine and has become popular in fine dining around the world. Its appeal lies in the contrast between the silky custard and the crackly sugar crust.
📌 Quick Recipe Summary
Crème Brûlée Recipe
A rich vanilla custard with a crisp caramelized sugar topping. Elegant and simple!
🕒 Prep Time: 15 mins | ⏳ Bake Time: 40 mins | ❄ Chill Time: 4 hrs
🍽 Servings: 4
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