Caramelized Creme Brulee
Indulge in the luxurious decadence of Caramelized Crème Brûlée, a timeless dessert that perfectly balances silky vanilla custard with a golden, crispy sugar crust. This classic French treat features a rich custard base made with heavy cream, real vanilla bean, and five velvety egg yolks, creating an ultra-smooth texture that's both creamy and indulgent. The pièce de résistance is the caramelized sugar topping, achieved with a kitchen torch or broiler, which delivers a satisfying crunch with every bite. Prepared using a gentle water bath for even baking, this elegant dessert is ideal for dinner parties or special occasions. With just 20 minutes of prep and a few pantry staples, you'll master the art of this gourmet dessert at home.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Heavy cream
- 1 Vanilla bean (or vanilla extract)
- 5 Egg yolks
- 0.5 cup Granulated sugar (for custard)
- 0.25 cup Granulated sugar (for topping)
- 0.125 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Place 4 oven-safe ramekins in a large baking dish, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
In a saucepan, combine the heavy cream and the seeds from the vanilla bean (or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract). Heat over medium flame until the mixture is hot but not boiling, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let it cool for 5 minutes.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, 0.5 cup granulated sugar, and salt until the mixture is pale and creamy.
Gradually add the warm cream mixture into the egg yolk mixture in small amounts, whisking constantly to avoid cooking the eggs.
Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a pouring jug to remove any solids, ensuring a smooth custard base.
Evenly divide the custard mixture among the ramekins. Carefully pour hot water into the baking dish until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins to create a water bath.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until the centers of the custards are set but slightly jiggly when shaken.
Remove the ramekins from the water bath and let them cool to room temperature. Then cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to fully set.
Before serving, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar evenly over the top of each custard. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar by heating it until it melts and forms a golden, crispy layer. Alternatively, you can place the ramekins under a broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
Let the caramelized tops cool for 1-2 minutes, then serve immediately and enjoy the creamy custard with its crunchy topping.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2474 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 182.6 g | 234% | |
| Saturated Fat | 104.0 g | 520% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1402 mg | 468% | |
| Sodium | 494 mg | 21% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 153.6 g | 56% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Total Sugars | 151.0 g | ||
| Protein | 13.5 g | 27% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.3 mcg | 11% | |
| Calcium | 116 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 95 mg | 2% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
