Perfect Creme Brulee Recipe

Very few desserts are more delicious to eat and to look at than this Perfect Creme Brulee.  Translated from the French, this popular dessert means “burnt cream,” referring to the caramelized finish.  Making a creme brulee is not complicated – only five ingredients are needed.  The trick to achieving a custard that’s smooth-as-silk is proper temperature control.

This outstanding recipe is one of my favorite desserts to serve at my dinner parties.  The crispy burnt sugar topping and smooth creamy custard makes this dish fantastic tasting!  Your guest will absolutely love this fantastic dessert!  A classic finale to a meal which can be served slightly warm or chilled.

Perfect Creme Brulee topped with whipped cream

Please check out my Lamb Chops with Cracked Pepper and Rosemary dinner menu and Pork Loin with Pumpkin Sage Bread Pudding dinner menu which includes this wonderful Creme Brulee.

Perfect Creme Brulee Recipe:
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Keyword: Perfect Creme Brulee Recipe
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
  • 6 egg yolks, chilled
  • 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream or whipping cream, chilled
  • 1 vanilla bean (split and scraped) or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 4 tablespoons granulated sugar (for topping)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.  Adjust oven rack to center position.  Butter six (1/2 cup) custard cups or ramekins and set them into a glass baking dish.  Tip: Place a non-stick baking mat (called a silpat) or a tea towel on the bottom of your baking dish to both insulate and keep the ramekins firmly in place.

  2. In a large bowl, beat egg yolks until slightly thickened.  Add sugar and mix until dissolved; mix in cream and vanilla, then pour mixture into prepared ramekins or custard cups.  Bring the water for the water bath to a light simmer on top of the stove; carefully pour hot water into the baking pan to come half-way up the sides of the custard cups.  NOTE: The most common mistake people make in baking a custard is not putting enough water in the hot-water bath.  The water should come up to the level of the custard inside the cups.  You must protect your custard from the heat.

  3. Definition of Water Bath or Bain-Marie (bahn mah-REE) - A hot water bath or bain-marie are used to cook custards and baked eggs in the oven without curdling or cracking, and also used to hold sauces and to clarify butter.  Water baths are most often used for egg-based dishes.  The proteins in the eggs are very heat sensitive and only need to be warmed to cook thoroughly.  They will start to get firm at only 145 degrees.  Cooking them with a slow, gentle heat keeps the eggs soft and smooth.

  4. Bake approximately 30 to 40 minutes (25 to 30 minutes for shallow fluted dishes) or until set around the edges but still loose in the center.  The cooking time will depend largely on the size of the ramekin or custard cup you are using and the altitute you are at.  Begin checking at a half hour and check back regularly.  When the center of the custard is just set, it will jiggle a little when shaken, that's when you can remove it from the oven.  If using a digital instant-read thermometer, inserted in the centers, the internal temperature should register approximately 170 to 175 degrees F.  Begin checking temperature about 5 minutes before recommended time.

  5. High Altitude Cooking:  Custards with a water bath will often need additional water during the baking time.  Also your custards will need a longer cooking time because the altitude causes the water to evaporate faster.

  6. Remove from oven and leave the creme brulee in the water bath until cooled to room temperature.  Remove cups from water bath, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 4 hours or up to 4 days.

  7. Finishing the Creme Brulees:  Finish the custards right before serving. 

  8. When ready to serve, uncover ramekins or custard cups.  If condensation has collected on the custards, place paper towel on surface to soak up moisture.  Sprinkle approximately 1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar over each creme brulee (tilt and tap ramekins for even coverage).  

  9. Perfect Creme Brulee RecipeFor best results, use a small hand held butane torch.  Hold the torch 4 to 5 inches from the sugar, maintaining a slow and even motion.  Stop torching just before the desired degree of doneness is reached, as the sugar will continue to cook for a few seconds after flame has been removed.

  10. If you do not have a torch, place creme brulees 6 inches below the broiler for 4 to 6 minutes or until sugar bubbles and turns golden brown.

  11. Refrigerate creme brulees at least 10 minutes before serving.  Serve within 1 hour (30 to 45 minutes), as topping will deteriorate.

    Torching Creme Brulee
  12. Makes 6 servings (depending on size of custard cups).

Thermapen Internal Temperature Cooking ChartI get many readers asking what cooking/meat thermometer that I prefer and use in my cooking and baking. I, personally, use the Thermapen Thermometer. Originally designed for professional use, the Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer is used by chefs all over the world.  I only endorse a few products, on my web site, that I like and use regularly.

You can learn more or buy yours at: Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer.

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More Delicious Creme Brulee Recipes:

Chocolate Creme Brulee
This very elegant dessert is sure to cure your “chocolate craving.”

Ginger Creme Brulee
Very few desserts are more delicious to eat and to look at as creme brulee!

Kona Coffee Creme Brulee
These desserts are perfect for company – just bake them ahead and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve!

Lavender Creme Brulee
If you love lavender and love creme brulee, this dessert will instantly WOW you! I’ve served this wonderful creme brulee at many dinner parties.

Raspberry Creme Brulee
Fresh raspberries in a delicious creme brulee! What could be better?

Categories:

Creme Brulee    Dessert Recipes    French Recipes   

Comments and Reviews

5 Responses to “Perfect Creme Brulee Recipe”

  1. June Mullen

    Do you have recipe for pistachio creme brulee

    Reply
    • Linda Stradley

      I do not presently have a recipe for Pistachio Creme Brulee. It does sound great!

      Reply
  2. Sheila Hampson

    Why do you recommend egg yokes instead of whole egg, also other recipes recommend heating the cream first, like the sound of your recipe, just want the best creme brulee

    Reply
    • Linda Stradley

      You will not be disappointed with this creme brûlée recipe.

      Reply
  3. Ryan

    Very tasty recipe! I followed this and the flavor was just like restaurant creme brûlée but I got a lot of air bubbles on mine and the texture wasn’t smooth. Anything you’d recommend to fix that?

    Reply

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