Do you love creme brûlée, but don’t have the time or patience to make it from scratch? This fast, easy, and simple creme brûlée recipe is for you! Made with just a few simple ingredients, this dessert can be whipped up in no time.
Whether you’re looking for an easy dessert to bring to a party or just want something sweet and delicious to enjoy at home, this easy creme brulee recipe is sure to hit the spot. So give it a try – your taste buds will thank you!
What is Creme Brulee Mostly Made of?
The ingredients of a basic creme brulee recipe are:
- heavy cream
- granulated sugar
- eggs
One of the most famous desserts in history, creme brulee is a French legend. Made with heavy cream, granulated sugar and eggs mixed together then topped off by vanilla flavoring or other flavors that you choose to add – this rich dessert has been around since 1793!
The basic ingredients are pretty straight forward but there can be differences between one cook’s version and another which may be intentional, such as different flavorings being used. For instance, if someone wanted something more tangy instead they might opt to include orange juice so it really just depends upon your preferences when making these sweet treats.
Creme brulee is the perfect blend between deliciousness & luxury.
How to Make Crème Brûlée
Making creme brulee sounds easy, but there are a few tricks to getting the right result. The basic recipe only requires four ingredients and should be simple enough for anyone who’s ever made vanilla ice cream before!
But not all recipes will give you that perfect crunch between your teeth or an intense mouthfeel while eating it… when the custard is cold from the fridge and the thin layer of sugar glass is still warm. Take a look at my Twelve Hacks for Making the Perfect Creme Brulee to help YOUR creme brûlée be the perfect dessert!
Here are the basic steps to making the creme brûlée:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F
- Pour the heavy cream into a saucepan, and bring it to a simmer over medium heat on your stovetop
- Remove the cream from heat
- Add the vanilla to the cream and set aside
- Separate the eggs into a separate bowl, and whisk the yolks until they are mixed well (You don’t need to use an electric mixer, and the leftover egg whites can be saved to make an omelet or meringue for a pie.)
- While continuing to whisk, slowly add about 1/2 cup of the hot cream to the egg and sugar mixture
- Still whisking, gradually add the remaining cream to the egg mixture
- Pour equal amounts of the mixture into each of your ramekins (paid link)
- Carefully move the ramekins to a baking dish
- Place the baking dish with ramekins into the preheated oven
- Carefully add boiling water to the baking dish
- Baking takes about 30 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer (paid link) registers 170°F (If you don’t have an instant-read thermometer, gently tap one of the ramekins. The custard should be stiff around the edges, but just a little jiggly in the center.)
- When the custard appears to be done, remove them and the baking pan from the oven
- Move the ramekins to a cooling rack, then let the custard cool to room temperature
- Place the custard-filled ramekins in the fridge for about 2 hours
- Just before serving, sprinkle the top of each custard with a teaspoon of granulated sugar and torch until golden brown.
What Size Ramekin Should I Use to Make Creme Brulee?
I love creme brulee for its rich custard and crunchy sugar topping, but six ounces is just too much for me. Four ounce ramekins will give you the perfect balance between taste and presentation–each bite will include some custard, plus some of the caramelized sugar topping.
What Does Creme Brulee Taste Like?
Creamy and rich, creme brulee is a favorite among those who prefer their dessert to be subtle. The torched sugar on top brings out an extra layer of flavor in this already delicious treat, making it even better!
Is Creme Brulee Gluten Free?
Creme brulee is a delicious dessert made from cooked sugar and milk. The key to making this treat gluten free requires the use of safe ingredients, like eggs or vanilla extract. If you add other things into your mix, then be sure they’re certified as completely gluten free!
Is Creme Brulee a Pudding?
Creme Brulee and pudding usually have milk (or cream) and eggs as the main ingredients. The big difference is that creme brulee is a baked custard, and pudding will normally be cooked in a double boiler. After cooking, the creme brulee will be a little jiggly, but pudding will be about the same consistency of the filling in a cream pie.
Why is My Creme Brulee Like Pudding?
To make sure your creme brulee is cooked to perfection, use an instant-read thermometer. If you undercook it and have more of a pudding-like texture. it is still edible. Just cook it a little longer next time.
What is the Difference Between Creme Brulee and Custard?
Creme brulee is a custard that has been topped with sugar and torched for an extra layer of flavor. The result? Caramelized on top, the creme brulée’s flavor profile will have you dreaming about this sweet treat in no time!
What is Special About Creme Brulee?
Creme brulee is a wonderful, rich dessert served with the custard cold and the thin crunchy sugar glass on top still warm from being torched. It’s also special because of its name – all French and everything. To me it sounds like something special that makes my mouth water just thinking about it!
And when you see how beautifully this dish is presented on your plate? You can’t help but want more before even tasting any part of what you’ve prepared…I hope you are as excited to try creme brûlée as was the first time I tried it!
How do You Know if Creme Brulee is Overcooked?
Creme brulee is a crowd favorite, but it can be tricky to get right. When the cream and vanilla mixture is added too quickly to the egg and sugar mixture, you will end up with scrambled eggs and some watery substance.
If your creme brulee gets overcooked in the oven, the edges will be too stiff, and the center will not be jiggly. If either of these happens to your creme brule, the best idea is to discard it and start over.
Does Creme Brulee Taste Good?
Creme brulee tastes great! In fact, I think it’s one of the best desserts out there. The creamy custard combined with caramelized sugar on top makes for an amazing taste experience that you won’t be able to get enough of.
What Does Creme Brulee Literally Mean?
Creme Brulee literally means “torched cream”. Although, the cream is not burned, only the sugar glass on top.
Why is It Called Creme Brulee?
Creme brulee is a dessert made of cream and sugar that gets burned to create its signature “bruleed” sugar glass topping. The sugar glass doesn’t actually burn, only turns golden brown when cooked with an open flame torch!
Does Creme Brulee Taste Like Custard?
Creme brulee and custard do taste alike, because creme brulee is a custard. To set creme brulee apart from regular custard, it has caramelized sugar glass on top.
What is the Texture of Creme Brulee?
Creme brulee is one of those dishes that has an amazing texture. The custard base combined with sweet caramelized sugar glass on top makes for a unique mouthfeel. Soft and cold custard combined with warm and crunchy caramelized sugar glass results in a delightful experience in your mouth!
What Does Creme Brulee Translate to in English?
The English translation of creme brulee is “burned cream”. But the cream is not burned. The sugar that is sprinkled on top is torched until it is golden brown and caramelized.
How do You get the Creme Brulee Crunchy Top?
The crunchy top of creme brulee is a delicacy that cis achieved by using an torch to melt, caramelize, and brown the sugar. The resulting dessert has hints of caramel in every crunchy bite of custard!
Can You Broil the Top of Creme Brulee?
Yes, you can brown the layer of sugar on top of your custard under an oven broiler. However this is not the preferred method and should be done only if necessary to achieve that burnt caramel flavor! Preheat the broiler on high for 15 minutes before placing the cooked and chilled custard under the broiler. Watch closely to prevent the sugar being burned. Remove when golden brown.
Are Flan and Creme Brulee the Same Thing?
Creme brulee and flan are both a type of baked custard. Creme brulée is normally baked in single-serving size ramekins, while flan is baked in a loaf or round baking dish that will serve 8 to 10. The caramelized sugar is added to the top of the creme brulee, and the flan has the caramelized sugar baked on the bottom. The flan is then inverted, and the caramel ends up on top. The creme brulee topping is crunchy, and the flan is softer, and sometimes liquified.
What is the Flavoring of Creme Brulee?
Plain creme brulee is always made with vanilla flavoring. A partial list of optional additions for your next baking project includes:
- lemon sauce
- raspberry sauce
- almond extract instead of vanilla
- chocolate chips
- strawberries with whipped cream
- salted caramel
- blackberries
- blueberries
Dark Chocolate Creme Brulee Recipe
Easy creme brûlée recipe that anyone can make, this dark chocolate creme brûlée is delicious in every way.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Heavy Cream
- 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar, divided
- 1-1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 5 large Egg Yolks
- 1/3 cup Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1pinch of Kosher Salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F.
- Combine the Heavy Cream, a pinch of Salt, and 1/4 cup of granulated Sugar in a medium sauce pan.
- Over medium to low heat, bring the Heavy Cream and Sugar mixture to a simmer.
- Stir in the chocolate chips until melted.
- Remove from heat.
- In a separate bowl, combine the Egg Yolks and the remaining 1/4 cup of granulated Sugar.
- While whisking, slowly pour about 1/2 cup of the Heavy Cream and Chocolate mixture into the Egg Yolk and Sugar mixture.
- Continue to whisk, and slowly pour in the remaining Heavy Cream and Sugar mixture.
- Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the Heavy Cream, Sugar, and Egg Yolk mixture into a glass measuring cup.
- Pour equal amounts of the mixture into the ramekins.
- Place the filled ramekins on a baking pan.
- Set the baking pan in the preheated oven.
- Fill the baking pan with boiling water.
- Bake for approximately 50 to 55 minutes, or until the temperature reaches 170°F, using an instant-read thermometer. If you don't have an instant-read thermometer, test the doneness by gently tapping the ramekin. If the custard is done, the edges on the outside edges should be firm, but the center of the custard should be a tiny bit jiggly.
- Remove from the oven, and place the ramekins on a cooling rack to reach room temperature.
- Cover with plastic wrap, and place the ramekins in the refrigerator to chill for 2 hours or overnight.
- Prior to serving, sprinkla about 1 teaspoon of granulated Sugar on top of each custard, then torch until the melted sugar turns golden brown.
- Serve while the sugar glass topping is still warm. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 638Total Fat: 50gSaturated Fat: 30gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 413mgSodium: 202mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 0gSugar: 35gProtein: 12g
The preparation of creme brulee takes patience. Be sure to follow the recipe, and your decadent dessert will always turn out perfectly. The 4-ounce ramekin is perfect to get just the right amount of custard and sugar glass in each bite. Whether you’re preparing this delicious and elegant dessert for a dinner party, family gathering, or for your own enjoyment, let us know how your experience goes!