Creme Brulee Recipe
Rich vanilla flavored custard with a crisp carmelized sugar layer
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Ingredients
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Custard Base
Method
Preparation
- 1
Prepare the Custard
In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream and the scraped vanilla bean along with its pod. Heat over medium heat until the mixture is hot but not boiling. Remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes.
- 2
Mix Egg Yolks and Sugar
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is pale and thick.
- 3
Combine Mixtures
Remove the vanilla pod from the cream mixture. Slowly pour the hot cream into the egg yolk mixture while whisking continuously to temper the eggs.
- 4
Strain the Mixture
Strain the custard mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into another bowl to remove any cooked egg bits and ensure a silky custard.
- 5
Bake the Custard
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Divide the custard mixture among ramekins. Place the ramekins in a baking dish and fill the dish with boiling water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the edges are set but the center is still slightly jiggly.
- 6
Chill
Remove the ramekins from the water bath and let them cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.
- 7
Caramelize Sugar
Once chilled, sprinkle a thin layer of granulated sugar on top of each custard. Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar until it forms a crispy, golden crust. If you don't have a torch, you can place the ramekins under the broiler for a few minutes instead, watching closely to prevent burning.
- 8
Serve
Allow the caramelized sugar to cool for a minute before serving. Enjoy your homemade crème brûlée!




