Description
This easy vanilla crème brûlée is rich, silky, and made with just five simple ingredients. Topped with a crisp caramelized sugar crust, it’s an elegant dessert perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream or heavy whipping cream (360g)
- 1/2 vanilla bean pod, scraped, or 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50g), plus more for the brûlée topping
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F and bring a few cups of water to a boil for the water bath.
- Add the heavy cream and vanilla bean seeds or vanilla bean paste to a saucepan. Heat gently over low heat until the cream begins to simmer.
- In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, granulated sugar, and salt for 30–60 seconds until smooth.
- Slowly pour about one-fourth of the hot cream into the egg yolk mixture while whisking continuously to temper the eggs. Gradually whisk in the remaining cream until combined.
- Strain the custard through a fine mesh sieve and divide evenly among 4 ramekins.
- Place the ramekins in a larger baking dish and carefully pour boiling water into the dish until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers still jiggle slightly.
- Remove the ramekins from the water bath and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Before serving, sprinkle a thin layer of granulated sugar over each custard.
- Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until deep golden brown and crisp.
- Let the sugar harden for 1–2 minutes, then serve immediately.
Notes
- Vanilla bean paste provides the best flavor and visible vanilla specks.
- Avoid over-whisking the custard to prevent air bubbles.
- For the smoothest texture, strain the custard before baking.
- Crème brûlée is best enjoyed shortly after torching the sugar topping.
- If you do not have a kitchen torch, you can caramelize the sugar briefly under a broiler.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ramekin
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 65 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 260 mg
