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A ramekin of classic Crème Brûlée topped with blackberries, raspberries, and mint sits on a plate, with a spoonful of silky custard resting beside it.

Crème Brûlée

This classic French dessert recipe delivers a rich, silky vanilla custard topped with a perfectly caramelized sugar crust that cracks beautifully with every spoon.
5 from 6 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Chilling Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 55 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine French
Servings 6 servings
Calories 397 kcal

Equipment

  • 6 4-oz ramekins
  • kitchen torch
  • medium saucepan
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • whisk
  • fine mesh sieve optional
  • large roasting pan or baking dish

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste Can substitute with vanilla extract.
  • pinch of salt
  • 5 egg yolks
  • ½ cup white granulated sugar
  • 3 teaspoon white granulated sugar (for the topping)

Optional

  • Berries for serving

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
    Add the egg yolks to a heat-safe bowl and whisk until smooth. Set aside.
  • Combine the heavy cream, vanilla, and salt in a saucepan over low to medium heat.
    Warm until the cream is just hot. Do not let it boil. Remove from heat.
  • Slowly ladle a small amount of the warm cream into the egg yolks, whisking constantly to temper them.
    Slowly pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan and stir to combine.
    *Optional* Strain the custard through a fine mesh sieve into a large measuring cup or bowl to catch any cooked egg bits and ensure a silky smooth finish.
  • Divide the custard evenly among your 4-oz ramekins.
    Place them in a large roasting pan. Then carefully pour boiling water into the pan until it reaches about halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
  • Bake at 325 degrees F for 30–35 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers still have a slight jiggle when gently shaken.
    Remove from the oven and let the custards cool to room temperature. Then transfer them to the refrigerator and chill completely, a minimum of 4 hours.
  • When ready to serve, sprinkle about ½ teaspoon of white granulated sugar in an even layer of sugar over each custard.
    Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until it melts into a golden, crackly crust. Top with fresh fruit and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Notes

If you don't have a kitchen torch, you can place the sugar-topped ramekins under the broiler on the top rack and broil until the sugar is caramelized and golden. Just be sure to watch them closely as they can burn very quickly. 

Nutrition

Serving: 4ozCalories: 397kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 5gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 252mgSodium: 29mgPotassium: 92mgSugar: 22gVitamin A: 1383IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 72mgIron: 0.5mg
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