Crème Brûlee Recipe

Time2h 30m
Serves4

vanilla bean custard, caramelized sugar

Was this page helpful?

Help improve this recipe for others.

Send this recipe to your inbox.

We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.

Ingredients

Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Crème Brûlée Ingredients

Method

Crème Brûlée Directions

1

Prepare the Cream Mixture

In a saucepan, combine heavy cream and split vanilla bean (scraped seeds and pod). Heat over medium until just simmering, then remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes.

2

Whisk the Egg Yolks

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

3

Combine Mixtures

Remove the vanilla bean pod from the cream mixture. Slowly pour the warm cream into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.

4

Strain the Mixture

Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl or measuring cup to remove any lumps.

5

Fill Ramekins

Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Place 4-6 ramekins in a baking dish. Pour the custard mixture evenly into the ramekins.

6

Bake in Water Bath

Fill the baking dish with hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center is slightly jiggly.

7

Cool and Chill

Remove the ramekins from the water bath and let them cool to room temperature. Then, refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

8

Caramelize the Sugar

Before serving, sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar on top of each custard. Using a kitchen torch, carefully caramelize the sugar until it forms a crispy, golden crust.

9

Serve

Let the caramelized tops cool for a minute before serving. Enjoy your crème brûlée!