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–+ servings
Creme brulee on a pink napkins.

Seriously Good Creme Brulee

Cara
This classic crème brûlée is rich, creamy, and topped with a perfectly crisp caramelized sugar crust. Made with simple ingredients, this foolproof recipe delivers restaurant-quality results at home.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Course Dessert
Cuisine French
Servings 6 people
Calories 462 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 C whole milk
  • 2 C heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ C sugar
  • 7 egg yolks

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven: Set to 300°F (150°C).
  • Heat the cream: In a saucepan, heat milk, cream, and salt over medium heat until steaming but not boiling. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
  • Whisk yolks & sugar: In a bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar together until smooth.
  • Temper the eggs: Gradually ladle the warm cream into the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
  • Divide among 4–6 ramekins (depending on size).
  • Water bath: Place ramekins in a 9x13 baking pan. Add hot water (158°F/70°C) to the pan until it reaches halfway up the ramekins.
  • Bake: Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the edges are set but the center is still jiggly.
  • Cool & chill: Remove ramekins from the water bath and let cool for 20 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  • Prepare to serve: Take ramekins out of the fridge 30 minutes before serving.
  • Torch the top: Sprinkle 1½ teaspoon sugar over each custard. Use a kitchen blowtorch to melt the sugar until deeply golden. Let harden for 60 seconds before serving.

Notes

  • Vanilla options: Use high-quality vanilla extract, vanilla bean paste, or scrape a vanilla bean for the best flavor.
  • Torch vs. broiler: A kitchen torch gives the most even caramelization. A broiler can work in a pinch but may overheat the custard. You have to watch it LIKE A HAWK.
  • Serving temp: Crème brûlée is best served slightly cool—take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before brûléeing.
  • Sugar topping: Use superfine sugar for the most even caramelization, but regular granulated sugar works too.

Nutrition

Serving: 200gCalories: 462kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 7gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 21gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 321mgSodium: 144mgPotassium: 162mgSugar: 30gVitamin A: 1535IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 130mgIron: 1mg
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