Lavender Creme Brulee Recipe

If you love lavender and love creme brulee, this Lavender Creme Brulee dessert will instantly WOW you!

The lavender adds hint of delicate fresh lavender aroma to this dessert as lavender has a clean fresh flavor.  I have served this wonderful creme brulee at many dinner parties.  If you are an lavender lover and a creme brulee lover, you will definitely love this creme brulee recipe.

 

Lavender Creme Brulee

 

Please check out my Grilled Pork Loin with Blackberry-Wine Sauce dinner menu and An Evening for Valentines Dinner Menu which includes this wonderful Lavender Creme Brulee.

Lavender Creme Brulee Recipe:
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
 
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Keyword: Lavender Creme Brulee Recipe
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.  Butter six (6-ounce) ramekins or custard cups and set them into a glass baking dish.  If cooking custards in a metal pan, cover the bottom of the pan with a layer of newspaper to ensure an even temperature on the bottom.  Place custard cups in a shallow ovenproof roasting or baking pan.  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, heavy saucepan over medium heat, add cream and the lavender flowers; heat just to a simmer.  Remove from heat and allow lavender flowers to infuse with the cream for 5 minutes.  Strain cream mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove lavender flowers: discard lavender flowers.  Learn about cooking with Culinary Lavender.

  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar until light and creamy. Slowly add the strained cream to the egg mixture, blending well. Divide custard mixture among the custard cups.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. Baked 60 minutes or until set around the edges but still loose in the center.  The cooking time will depend largely on the size of the custard cups you are using and the altitude 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.

  7. 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.

  8. Remove from oven and leave in the water bath until cooled.  Remove cups from water bath and refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.

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

  10. Torching Creme BruleeWhen ready to serve, sprinkle approximately 2 teaspoons of remaining sugar over each creme brulee.  For best results, use a small hand held propane 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.

  11. If you don't have a torch, place creme brulees 6 inches below the broiler for 4 to 6 minutes or until sugar bubbles and turns golden brown.  Refrigerate creme brulees at least 10 minutes before serving.

  12. Makes 6 to 8 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.

Sponsored Content

 

More Delicious Creme Brulee Recipes:

Creme Brulee – How To Make Perfect Creme Brulee
Very few desserts are more delicious to eat and to look at. This is one of my favorite desserts to serve at my dinner parties.

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

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

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

Raspberry Creme Brulee

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

 

Source:  Food stylist: Chris Caldes – Photography: Carrie Russell

Categories:

Creme Brulee    Culinary Lavender    Dessert Recipes    Edible Flowers    French Recipes    Summer   

Comments and Reviews

Leave a Reply