Simple Crème Brûlée
Simple Crème Brûlée is a smooth, vanilla-flavored custard dessert with a crisp caramelized sugar topping. It’s easy to prepare with a few ingredients and delivers a perfect balance of creaminess and crunch, making it ideal for dinner parties or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for topping)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Heat heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it begins to steam. Do not boil.
- In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, and salt until combined.
- Slowly pour the warm cream into the egg mixture while whisking continuously to prevent curdling.
- Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl to remove bubbles.
- Pour into ramekins and place them in a baking dish.
- Fill the baking dish with hot water halfway up the sides of the ramekins (water bath).
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the centers are just set but slightly jiggly.
- Remove from oven, cool, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Before serving, sprinkle sugar evenly over each custard and caramelize using a kitchen torch or broiler until golden and crisp.
Notes
- Always use a water bath to ensure even cooking.
- Avoid overbaking; the custard should tremble slightly when shaken.
- Cool completely before adding the sugar topping.
- Use superfine sugar for a smoother caramelized crust.
- Best served chilled right after caramelizing the top.