What Is Crème Brûlée Made Of? Plus Easy Recipes to Try at Home
Crème Brûlée is a classic French dessert known for its rich custard base and crispy caramelized sugar topping. Made with just a few ingredients, this indulgent treat is surprisingly easy to prepare at home. Whether you stick with the traditional vanilla flavor or try a fun variation, this guide will help you master the perfect Crème Brûlée!
What Is Crème Brûlée Made Of?
Crème Brûlée is made using a few simple ingredients, but each one is crucial to its texture and flavor:
✔ Heavy Cream – Provides a rich, creamy base.
✔ Egg Yolks – Helps thicken the custard for a smooth consistency.
✔ Sugar – Sweetens the custard and creates the crunchy caramelized topping.
✔ Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean – Adds a deep, aromatic flavor.
✔ Salt – Enhances the overall taste and balances sweetness.
Would you like to experiment with other classic French desserts? Try this Caramelize Crème Brûlée Guide to perfect that golden, crunchy topping!
Classic Crème Brûlée Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 5 large egg yolks
- ½ cup granulated sugar (plus extra for caramelizing)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or seeds from 1 vanilla bean
- A pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Heat the cream: In a saucepan, warm the heavy cream over medium heat until it’s hot but not boiling. If using a vanilla bean, split it and scrape the seeds into the cream.
- Mix egg yolks and sugar: In a bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar until pale and slightly thickened.
- Temper the eggs: Slowly pour the warm cream into the egg mixture, whisking continuously to prevent curdling. Stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
- Strain and pour: Strain the mixture through a fine sieve to remove any cooked egg bits. Pour into 4–6 ramekins.
- Bake in a water bath: Place the ramekins in a baking dish and fill the dish with hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 30–40 minutes until the edges are set but the center is slightly jiggly.
- Chill: Remove from the oven, let cool, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Caramelize the top: Sprinkle 1–2 teaspoons of sugar on each custard and use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until golden brown and crisp. Let it set for a minute before serving.
🍮 Pro Tip: Don’t have a torch? Place the ramekins under a broiler for 1–2 minutes until the sugar melts and hardens.
Delicious Crème Brûlée Variations
Want to mix things up? Try these fun Crème Brûlée flavors!
1. Chocolate Crème Brûlée
Add: 2 oz melted dark chocolate to the warm cream.
2. Coffee Crème Brûlée
Add: 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder to the cream for a bold coffee flavor.
3. Coconut Crème Brûlée
Swap: Use half coconut milk and half heavy cream for a tropical twist.
4. Pumpkin Spice Crème Brûlée
Add: ¼ cup pumpkin puree and ½ teaspoon cinnamon for a warm, spiced version.
5. Matcha Crème Brûlée
Add: 1 teaspoon matcha powder to the egg mixture for a green tea-infused dessert.
Craving more sweet treats? Check out French Apple Pie Recipes for another French-inspired dessert to enjoy!
Classic Crème Brûlée
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk
- Fine-Mesh Strainer
- Ramekins
- Baking Dish
- Kitchen Torch or Oven Broiler
Ingredients
Custard Base
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 vanilla bean (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 pinch salt
Caramelized Sugar Topping
- 4 tsp granulated sugar (1 tsp per ramekin)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Place ramekins in a large baking dish.
- In a saucepan, heat heavy cream and vanilla bean (or extract) over medium heat until hot but not boiling. If using a vanilla bean, scrape seeds into the cream.
- In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and salt until pale and slightly thickened.
- Slowly pour warm cream into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any cooked egg bits.
- Divide custard evenly among ramekins. Fill the baking dish with hot water halfway up the sides of the ramekins for a water bath.
- Bake for 30–40 minutes until the edges are set but the center is slightly jiggly.
- Let cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Before serving, sprinkle 1–2 tsp sugar evenly over each custard.
- Caramelize using a kitchen torch until golden and crisp, or place under a broiler for 1–2 minutes.
- Let the sugar set for 1 minute before serving.
Notes
Final Thoughts
Crème Brûlée is a timeless dessert that’s easy to make at home with just a few ingredients. Whether you stick to the classic vanilla version or try a fun new flavor, you’ll love the combination of creamy custard and crispy caramelized sugar.
Want to explore more elegant desserts? Try this Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread Recipe for a delicious, healthier alternative!
Which Crème Brûlée variation are you excited to try? Let me know in the comments! 😊