The Perfect Vanilla Crème Brûlée: A Classic French Dessert

Vanilla Crème Brûlée is the epitome of sophistication in the world of desserts. This rich and creamy custard with its signature caramelized sugar topping is a timeless French classic that has won hearts globally. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply indulging in a special treat, mastering this dessert will elevate your culinary repertoire.

Tips for Success:

• Choose Quality Vanilla: A high-quality vanilla bean or pure vanilla extract will significantly enhance the flavor of your crème brûlée.
• Gentle Cooking: The water bath ensures even heat distribution and prevents the custard from curdling or cracking.
• Cool Completely: Allowing the custard to chill thoroughly ensures a creamy texture and a delightful contrast with the warm, caramelized topping.

Final Thoughts:

This is the perfect Vanilla Crème Brûlée recipe: silky, creamy, and luscious with a thin, crispy caramel coating that’s worthy of any upscale dessert menu. Despite its reputation as a posh treat, Crème Brûlée is surprisingly simple to make. With just five ingredients (including salt and vanilla) and 10 minutes of active preparation, you’ll have a restaurant-quality dessert.

In recent years, Crème Brûlée-inspired treats have gained immense popularity on social media, from donuts and cookies to cheesecakes and even pizza! The ASMR sensation of cracking the caramel crust is undeniably satisfying. However, the classic Crème Brûlée often gets overlooked, and it’s time to bring it back into the spotlight. If you’ve ever been curious about making this dessert, consider this your sign to try it today.

What Is Crème Brûlée?

Crème Brûlée is a beloved French dessert whose name translates to “burnt cream.” It demonstrates that great desserts don’t have to be complicated. At its core, it is a smooth, velvety custard made with egg yolks, cream, and sugar, delicately infused with vanilla. Its defining feature is the caramelized sugar topping, achieved by torching or broiling a thin layer of sugar to create a crispy, golden crust. The creamy custard contrasts beautifully with the crackly caramel, offering a delightful combination of textures and flavors.

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The Perfect Vanilla Crème Brûlée: A Classic French Dessert

Author: M Sennoun Cooking Method: Baking, Simmering Cuisine: American Courses: Desert Recipe Keys: High Protein Vegan

Difficulty: Advanced Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 35 mins Total Time 50 mins

Cooking Temp: 160  C Servings: 4 Estimated Cost: $ 10 Calories: 120

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Dietary:

F Family-Friendly

Description

Vanilla Crème Brûlée is the epitome of sophistication in the world of desserts. This rich and creamy custard with its signature caramelized sugar topping is a timeless French classic that has won hearts globally. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply indulging in a special treat, mastering this dessert will elevate your culinary repertoire.

Ingredients for Vanilla Crème Brûlée :

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Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the custard:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 vanilla bean (or 1 tsp pure vanilla extract)
• 5 large egg yolks
• ½ cup granulated sugar

For the caramelized topping:

• 4 tablespoons granulated sugar (for sprinkling)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Step 1: Preheat and Prepare:

   1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).

   2. Arrange 4 to 6 ramekins in a deep baking dish. Ensure they are spaced evenly to allow for even cooking.

   Mark as complete

2. Step 2: Infuse the Cream

   1. In a medium saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it begins to steam (do not let it boil).

   2. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise, scrape out the seeds, and add both the seeds and the pod to the cream. If using vanilla extract, stir it in after the cream is heated.

   3. Remove the saucepan from heat and let the vanilla steep for 10 minutes.

   Mark as complete

3. Step 3: Prepare the Custard:

   1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened.

   2. Gradually pour the warm cream into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from curdling.

   3. Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl or measuring cup to remove any solids or foam.

   Mark as complete

4. Step 4: Bake the Custard

   1. Divide the custard mixture evenly among the ramekins.

   2. Pour hot water into the baking dish, ensuring it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins (this creates a bain-marie, or water bath, for gentle cooking).

   3. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the custards are just set but still slightly jiggly in the center.

   4. Remove the ramekins from the water bath and let them cool to room temperature before refrigerating for at least 4 hours or overnight.

   Mark as complete

5. Step 5: Caramelize the Sugar

   1. Just before serving, evenly sprinkle 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar over the surface of each custard.

   2. Use a kitchen torch to melt and caramelize the sugar until it forms a crisp, golden-brown crust. Alternatively, place the ramekins under a broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.

   Mark as complete

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Servings 4

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 120kcal

% Daily Value *

Cholesterol 25mg9%

Sodium 200mg9%

Total Carbohydrate 4g2%

Sugars 4g

Protein 20g40%

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Calcium 500 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Nutrition Facts

For 1 bottle of vanilla creme brulee

Keywords: cream, egg yolk, half and half, plan-ahead, step by step, vanilla bean, fall, thanksgiving, cream, half and half, plan-ahead, step by step, vanilla bean, fall,

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