Description
Crème brûlée is a classic French dessert featuring silky vanilla custard topped with a crisp caramelized sugar crust for a rich, elegant, and perfectly balanced texture contrast.
Ingredients
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar (for caramelizing)
- Fresh berries for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C) and place ramekins in a baking dish.
- Heat heavy cream until steaming, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and salt until pale and slightly thickened.
- Slowly temper eggs by whisking in warm cream.
- Strain mixture for a smooth custard.
- Divide custard into ramekins.
- Fill baking dish with hot water halfway up ramekins.
- Bake 35–40 minutes until edges are set and centers slightly jiggle.
- Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate at least 4 hours.
- Before serving, sprinkle sugar on top and caramelize with a torch or broiler until golden and crisp.
Notes
- Always temper eggs slowly to prevent scrambling.
- A water bath ensures a smooth, creamy texture.
- Do not overbake; the center should remain slightly wobbly.
- Caramelize sugar just before serving for best crunch.
- Straining the custard ensures an extra silky finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking, Chilling, Caramelizing
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ramekin
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 255mg
