Crème Brûlée
Ingredients
- 2 cheavy or light cream
or half-and-half
- 1vanilla bean
split lengthwise, or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ tspsalt
- 5egg yolks
- ½ cgranulated sugar
plus more for topping
Directions
- 1
Heat oven to 325 degrees. In a saucepan, combine cream, vanilla bean and salt; cook over low heat just until hot. Let sit for a few minutes, then discard vanilla bean. (If using vanilla extract, add it now.)
- 2
In a bowl, beat yolks and sugar together until light. Stir about a quarter of the vanilla cream into this mixture, then pour sugar-egg mixture into cream and stir. Pour into four 6-ounce ramekins and place ramekins in a baking dish; fill dish with boiling water halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
- 3
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until centers are barely set. Cool completely. Refrigerate for several hours and up to a couple of days.
- 4
When ready to serve, top each custard with about a teaspoon of sugar in a thin layer.
- 5
Place ramekins in a broiler 2 to 3 inches from heat source. Turn on broiler. Cook until sugar melts and browns or even blackens a bit, about 5 minutes. Serve within 2 hours.
Crème Brûlée
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About this Recipe
Craving that exquisitely rich, elegant dessert with the perfectly crackly sugar top? This Crème Brûlée recipe makes achieving that restaurant-quality experience surprisingly simple, right in your own kitchen.
What sets this classic Crème Brûlée apart is its clever approach to achieving the signature caramelized crust. Instead of a small propane torch, you'll use your oven's broiler, offering a simpler and safer method to get that satisfying crunch. Plus, with just five core ingredients—cream, vanilla, salt, eggs, and sugar—this recipe prioritizes quality and flavor over complexity.
Prepare for a truly luxurious dessert experience. You'll savor a silky-smooth, creamy custard, delicately infused with aromatic vanilla, that melts in your mouth. This rich texture is beautifully contrasted by the thin, crisp, sugary shell on top, which shatters with the tap of a spoon. It's a dessert that feels incredibly special yet is wonderfully approachable for home cooks. The secret to its perfection lies in allowing the custard to set for several hours in the refrigerator, ensuring a firm, elegant texture before you add that iconic caramelized top.
This versatile recipe offers simple tweaks to suit your preference. You can choose between heavy cream or light cream for a richer result, or opt for half-and-half for a slightly lighter custard. For the vanilla, a split vanilla bean imparts a deep, fragrant flavor, but vanilla extract works just as well if that's what you have on hand.
This elegant Crème Brûlée is the quintessential dessert for special occasions and holidays, making a sophisticated finale to any meal. It's especially welcome during fall and Thanksgiving celebrations, offering a sweet, creamy counterpoint.