Crème brûlée is the ultimate classic French dessert, featuring a creamy custard base and a perfectly caramelized sugar crust. Whether it’s for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner or just because you’re craving a luxurious treat, this recipe is guaranteed to impress!
Type of Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Prep Time: 30 minutes.
Cook Time: 40 minutes
How Many Servings?
6 servings
Table of Contents
Easy Crème Brûlée Recipe is a timeless dessert that has enchanted taste buds across the globe. While its exact origins remain a culinary mystery, its luscious custard base, and irresistibly caramelized sugar crust make it an indulgent treat like no other. This easy crème brûlée recipe is a favorite in my household, especially for Valentine’s Day, and features a delightful coffee twist—though it’s just as perfect without it.
Looking for more Valentine’s Day desserts? Don’t miss my Persian Love Cake recipe—another romantic and decadent treat that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re sharing these desserts on a special occasion or savoring them solo, they’ll make every moment truly exquisite.
Ingredients for Your Crème Brûlée Recipe
- Heavy Cream: Heavy cream forms the rich and creamy base of your Crème Brûlée, lending its velvety texture and luscious flavor to the dessert.
- Egg Yolks: Egg yolks contribute to the custard’s smooth and luxurious consistency, providing richness and stability to the dessert.
- Vanilla: Vanilla adds a fragrant and sweet aroma, enhancing the overall flavor profile with its classic and comforting notes.
- Granulated Sugar: Granulated sugar is used to sweeten and flavor the custard. An additional amount is used for the iconic caramelized sugar topping that gives Crème Brûlée its signature crackly crust.
- Instant Coffee: The addition of instant coffee brings a delightful coffee flavor to your Crème Brûlée, infusing it with a unique and aromatic twist.
These ingredients combine harmoniously to create the delectable Crème Brûlée that’s bound to impress your taste buds.
Crème Brûlée Tips
- Use Standard Granulated Sugar: Stick to standard granulated sugar to sweeten the custard and create the caramelized sugar topping. It provides the ideal texture and flavor.
- Cool the Cream Evenly: During the cooling period for the cream mixture, whisk it every 5 minutes to ensure even cooling. This step helps maintain the right consistency.
- Pouring Technique: When combining the cream mixture with the egg yolks, use a measuring cup with a spout for controlled pouring. This prevents overheating and ensures a smooth mixture.
- Preparing Ramekins: Set the ramekins on a baking tray before pouring in the custard mixture. If bubbles appear on the surface, use the back of a spoon to remove them, ensuring a flawless finish.
- Boiling Water Placement: Before adding hot water to the baking tray, place it on the open oven door for easy transport. This prevents spills and accidents.
- Oven Placement: Bake your Crème Brûlée in the center of the oven for the best caramelization. This results in a satisfying crackly crust when ready to enjoy this delightful dessert.
These expert tips will help you master the art of making perfect Crème Brûlée with confidence. Enjoy your culinary masterpiece!
Make in Advance?
Certainly! You can prepare the custard base of crème brûlée up to three days before you plan to serve it. Follow this easy recipe to create the custard mixture, pour it into the ramekins, and then cover each ramekin tightly. Store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
To enjoy the crème brûlée, remove the ramekins from the refrigerator and use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar topping just before serving. This ensures you get the perfect cool custard texture combined with the delightful caramelized sugar crust.
It’s a convenient option for hosting, as you can prepare the dessert in advance and impress your guests with a freshly caramelized topping right before they enjoy it.
Preparation
When ready to serve, sprinkle one tablespoon of sugar evenly over each chilled custard. Use a blowtorch to caramelize the sugar until it melts, turns dark amber, and forms a bubbly, crisp topping.
Note: When using a blow torch, always exercise caution and follow safety guidelines for a safe and enjoyable experience.
Delicate custard with a caramelized sugar crust makes for an unforgettable dessert. It serves four and can be prepared in advance for easy entertaining. Sprinkle with sugar, caramelize, and enjoy the satisfying crack with every spoonful.
Type of Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Prep Time: 30 minutes.
Cook Time: 40 minutes
How Many Servings?
6 servings
Ingredients:
Adjust Servings
| 3 cups heavy cream | |
| 1 tablespoon vanilla | |
| 3 tablespoons instant coffee (optional) | |
| ½ cup granulated sugar (+ 5 tablespoons for topping) | |
| 5 egg yolks |
Preparation
Nutrition Information
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.
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I would love to hear your experience!
Have you tried making this Coffee-Infused Crème Brûlée? I’d love to hear about your experience! Leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Did you make any adjustments or add your own twist? Share your thoughts and join the conversation.