Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee
Indulge in the luxurious decadence of Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée, a classic French dessert that combines silky smooth custard with a tantalizingly crisp caramelized sugar topping. Infused with the rich, aromatic essence of real vanilla bean, this recipe elevates a simple custard to an elegant, restaurant-quality treat. The custard is gently baked in a water bath for the perfect creamy texture, and the crowning layer of caramelized sugar adds just the right contrast of crunch and sweetness. Impress your guests by torching the sugar topping right before serving for a dramatic finish. Perfect for a romantic dinner or special occasion, this timeless dessert is surprisingly easy to master at home.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Heavy cream
- 1 whole Vanilla bean
- 5 large Egg yolks
- 0.5 cup Granulated sugar
- 0.125 teaspoon Salt
- 3 tablespoons Granulated sugar (for topping)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
Pour the heavy cream into a saucepan. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds using the back of a knife. Add both the seeds and the pod to the cream.
Heat the cream on medium heat until it just begins to simmer, then remove it from heat and allow it to steep for 10 minutes to infuse the flavor.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and salt until pale and creamy.
Gradually pour the warm cream into the egg yolk mixture while whisking constantly to temper the eggs and avoid curdling.
Strain the custard through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove the vanilla pod and any solids.
Divide the custard evenly among four 6-ounce ramekins and place them in a deep baking dish.
Carefully pour hot water into the baking dish until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins, creating a water bath.
Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers still wobble slightly when gently shaken.
Remove the ramekins from the water bath and allow them to cool to room temperature, then cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Before serving, sprinkle 3/4 teaspoon of granulated sugar evenly over the top of each custard.
Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar by moving the flame in a circular motion until the sugar melts and turns golden brown. Alternatively, you can place the ramekins under a broiler for a few minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
Let the caramelized sugar cool for 1-2 minutes until it hardens, then serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2271 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 182.6 g | 234% | |
| Saturated Fat | 104.0 g | 520% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1402 mg | 468% | |
| Sodium | 495 mg | 22% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 103.7 g | 38% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Total Sugars | 101.1 g | ||
| Protein | 13.5 g | 27% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.3 mcg | 11% | |
| Calcium | 116 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 125 mg | 3% | |
*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.
