Crème Brûlée, with its rich custard base and crispy caramelized sugar top, is a classic French dessert that exudes elegance and indulgence. No need to visit a fancy restaurant—bring the sophistication to your own kitchen with this easy-to-follow recipe.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for caramelizing
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream and vanilla bean over medium heat until it just starts to simmer. Remove from heat and let it sit for 15 minutes to allow the vanilla to infuse.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolks, sugar, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened.
- Remove the vanilla bean from the cream and slowly pour the warm cream into the egg mixture, whisking continuously to avoid curdling. Strain the custard mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a pouring jug to remove any lumps. Pour the custard into ramekins.
- Place the ramekins in a baking dish and fill the dish with hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the custard is set around the edges but slightly jiggly in the center.
- Allow the crème brûlée to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Just before serving, sprinkle a thin layer of sugar on top and caramelize using a kitchen torch or under the broiler until the sugar forms a crispy crust. Let the sugar set for a minute, then indulge in the creamy, caramelized perfection of your homemade crème brûlée.
