Crème Brûlée, with its creamy custard base and caramelized sugar topping, is a classic French dessert that never fails to impress. Despite its elegant appearance, this dessert is surprisingly easy to make, requiring only a few simple ingredients. In this recipe, we’ll guide you through the steps to create a perfect Crème Brûlée that will delight your taste buds and impress your guests. Let’s get started!
Ingredients for Classic Crème Brûlée
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for caramelizing
How to Make Classic Crème Brûlée
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Place a kitchen towel in a large baking dish and arrange six ramekins on top. The towel will prevent the ramekins from sliding.
Step 2: Prepare the Custard
- In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream, vanilla bean, and seeds. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Remove from heat and let it sit for 15 minutes to infuse the cream with the vanilla flavor.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until well combined and slightly thickened.
- Slowly pour the warm cream mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly, until smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Bake the Custard
- Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring cup or bowl with a spout.
- Divide the custard evenly among the ramekins. Carefully pour enough hot water into the baking dish to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins, creating a water bath.
- Bake the custards in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers still jiggle slightly when shaken.
Step 4: Chill the Custards
- Remove the ramekins from the water bath and let them cool to room temperature.
- Cover the ramekins with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, until the custards are completely chilled and set.
Step 5: Caramelize the Sugar
- Just before serving, sprinkle a thin, even layer of granulated sugar over the surface of each custard.
- Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar, moving the flame evenly over the surface until the sugar is melted and golden brown. Alternatively, you can place the ramekins under a broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
- Let the Crème Brûlée sit for a few minutes to allow the caramelized sugar to harden.
- Serve the Crème Brûlée immediately, and enjoy the contrast of the crackling caramelized sugar with the creamy custard underneath.
About the Main Ingredients
Heavy Cream
Heavy cream is the key ingredient in Crème Brûlée, providing the rich and creamy texture that is characteristic of this dessert. It has a high fat content, which helps create a smooth and luxurious custard. When heated with the vanilla bean, the cream takes on a subtle vanilla flavor that complements the sweetness of the caramelized sugar.
Vanilla Bean
The vanilla bean is used to infuse the heavy cream with its distinct and aromatic flavor. The tiny black seeds inside the vanilla bean add specks of flavor and a beautiful appearance to the custard. Using a fresh vanilla bean rather than vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of the Crème Brûlée.
Egg Yolks
Egg yolks are used to thicken the custard and give it a rich, silky texture. They also contribute to the custard’s golden color. The combination of egg yolks and sugar creates a smooth and creamy base that sets up beautifully when baked.
Granulated Sugar
Granulated sugar is used both in the custard and for caramelizing the top of the Crème Brûlée. In the custard, sugar adds sweetness and helps create a smooth texture. When caramelized on top, sugar forms a crisp, crackling crust that contrasts beautifully with the creamy custard.
Crème Brûlée is a classic dessert that never fails to impress with its rich, creamy custard and caramelized sugar topping. While it may seem daunting to make at first, this recipe breaks down the steps into simple, easy-to-follow instructions. With just a few basic ingredients and a little patience, you can create a dessert that rivals any you’d find in a fine restaurant. Treat yourself and your guests to this decadent dessert, and savor the luxurious combination of flavors and textures that Crème
