Creme Brulee is a classic French dessert known for its silky custard base and crisp caramelized sugar topping. It’s a luxurious treat often served in fine dining restaurants and admired for its elegant presentation and rich flavor profile.
Recipe Overview:
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Recipe Category: Dessert
- Keywords: Less than 60 minutes
Ingredients:
- 8 eggs
- 4 ounces brown sugar (plus 3 ounces for caramelizing)
- 6 cups heavy cream
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 1236.6
- Fat: 100.9g
- Saturated Fat: 59.3g
- Cholesterol: 844.1mg
- Sodium: 484.8mg
- Carbohydrates: 70.8g
- Sugar: 62.6g
- Protein: 16.1g
Instructions:
- Prepare Custard Base:
- In a mixing bowl, combine 8 eggs, 4 ounces of brown sugar, and whisk until well mixed.
- Heat 6 cups of heavy cream in a saucepan until it reaches the scalding point (just below boiling).
- Gradually pour the hot cream into the egg mixture, whisking continuously.
- Add a pinch of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
- Baking:
- Strain the custard mixture to remove any lumps or air bubbles.
- Divide the custard evenly into 12 individual 5 oz. ramekins or into one larger shallow dish.
- Place the ramekins or dish in a larger baking pan. Fill the pan with hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins (this creates a water bath).
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 30 minutes, or until the custard is set around the edges but still slightly jiggly in the center.
- Caramelizing the Sugar:
- Remove the custards from the oven and let them cool to room temperature.
- Sprinkle the remaining 3 ounces of brown sugar evenly over the tops of the custards.
- Place the ramekins under the broiler (or use a kitchen torch) until the sugar melts and caramelizes into a crisp, golden crust. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Serving:
- Once caramelized, allow the sugar to cool and harden slightly before serving.
- Creme Brulee is best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, with the contrast of the cool custard and the warm, crunchy sugar topping.
Review and Rating:
- Aggregated Rating: 5 (out of 5)
- Review Count: 4 reviews
Creme Brulee is not only a dessert but a culinary experience, combining creamy indulgence with the satisfaction of cracking into a perfectly caramelized sugar crust. It’s a dessert that impresses both in taste and presentation, making it ideal for special occasions or when you simply want to treat yourself to something extraordinary.
