Introduction:

Crème Brûlée, meaning "burnt cream" in French, is a timeless and elegant dessert beloved for its smooth custard base and caramelized sugar topping. Originating in France, this indulgent treat is characterized by its creamy texture and contrasting crunchy layer of caramelized sugar. Crème Brûlée is often served chilled, making it a refreshing and sophisticated finale to any meal. Follow this simple recipe to create your own luxurious Crème Brûlée at home.


 Ingredients:

- 1 quart (4 cups) heavy cream

- 1 vanilla bean or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

- 6 large egg yolks

- 1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for caramelizing



 Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Place six ramekins in a deep baking dish and set aside.

2. In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. If using a vanilla bean, split it lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the cream. Add the vanilla bean pod or vanilla extract to the cream.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and granulated sugar until pale and slightly thickened.

4. Slowly pour the hot cream mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from curdling.

5. Strain the custard mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any lumps or bits of vanilla bean.

6. Divide the custard evenly among the prepared ramekins. Carefully pour hot water into the baking dish until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins, creating a water bath (bain-marie).

7. Bake the Crème Brûlées in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the custard is set around the edges but still slightly jiggly in the center.

8. Remove the ramekins from the water bath and let them cool to room temperature. Then, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until fully chilled and set.

9. Just before serving, sprinkle a thin, even layer of granulated sugar over the surface of each custard. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until golden and crispy.

10. Allow the Crème Brûlées to sit for a minute to allow the caramelized sugar to harden, then serve immediately and enjoy the luxurious combination of creamy custard and crackly caramel topping!


This Crème Brûlée recipe captures the essence of French dessert elegance, making it a perfect choice for special occasions or a decadent treat any day of the week.