Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee Recipe

Preparation Steps

1. 1

   Prepare the Vanilla Cream

   In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream and the seeds scraped from the vanilla beans. Add the whole beans to the mixture. Heat over medium heat until it just begins to simmer, then remove from heat and let it steep for about 15 minutes.

2. 2

   Mix Egg Yolks

   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth and pale.

3. 3

   Combine Mixtures

   Remove the vanilla beans from the cream mixture. Gradually pour the warm cream into the egg yolk mixture while whisking continuously to temper the eggs.

4. 4

   Strain Mixture

   Strain the custard mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any lumps. This will ensure a smooth custard.

5. 5

   Bake the Custard

   Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Pour the custard into ramekins and place them in a baking dish. Fill the baking dish with hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until the custard is set but still slightly jiggly in the center.

6. 6

   Cool and Chill

   Remove the ramekins from the water bath and let them cool to room temperature. Once cooled, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.

7. 7

   Caramelize the Sugar

   When ready to serve, sprinkle a thin layer of granulated sugar on top of each custard. Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar until it melts and forms a crispy crust. If you don’t have a torch, you can place the ramekins under a broiler for a few minutes but watch closely to prevent burning.

8. 8

   Serve

   Allow the sugar crust to harden for a minute before serving. Enjoy your homemade Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée!