Signature Recipe
Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée
A classic French dessert featuring a creamy custard base topped with a crispy caramelized sugar crust.
Step into the world of French patisserie with a dessert that embodies elegance and indulgence—crème brûlée. This classic treat offers a delightful contrast between a velvety custard base and a satisfying crunch of caramelized sugar on top. The moment you crack through that golden crust with a spoon, you’ll be transported to a cozy Parisian café, savoring each luscious bite as it melts in your mouth.
At the heart of this exquisite dessert lies a harmonious blend of heavy cream and milk, which come together to create a rich and creamy custard. The interplay of these ingredients is what gives crème brûlée its signature smooth texture. To sweeten the experience, granulated sugar is incorporated, adding just the right amount of sweetness that perfectly complements the custard’s rich flavor. And let’s not forget the star of the show—egg yolks. These golden gems not only enrich the custard but also contribute to its luxurious, silky consistency.
Creating this dessert is a rewarding journey that, while it may seem a bit challenging at first, will imbue your kitchen with the warm, inviting scents of vanilla and caramel. After a gentle simmering of the cream and milk infused with vanilla, you’ll whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until they reach a light and airy state. This mixture is then carefully combined with the warm dairy, creating a custard that is both delicate and decadent. Finally, after a gentle bake in a water bath to ensure even cooking, you’ll chill your creations until they’re perfectly set, awaiting their final transformation.
The pièce de résistance comes when it’s time to create that signature caramelized crust. A sprinkle of sugar on top, followed by a quick blast from a kitchen torch, transforms the sugar into a brittle layer that contrasts beautifully with the smooth custard below. As you prepare to serve this delightful dessert, you’ll find that crème brûlée is not just a dish—it’s an experience that brings joy and a touch of French charm to any gathering. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this timeless treat that is sure to become a favorite!
Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée
Ingredient list and step-by-step instructions generated for AI Food Bytes readers.
Main
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream (For the custard base)
- 1 cup milk (To lighten the cream)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (Divided; for custard and topping)
- 6 large egg yolks (For a rich custard)
- 1 whole vanilla bean (Split and seeds scraped)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (For caramelizing on top)
Steps
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
- In a saucepan, combine heavy cream, milk, and granulated sugar over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
- Add the vanilla bean and its seeds to the cream mixture; simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks until they turn pale.
- Slowly pour the warm cream mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
- Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a large measuring cup or bowl.
- Divide the custard mixture evenly among ramekins.
- Place the ramekins in a baking dish and fill the dish with hot water halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the custard is set but still slightly wobbly in the center.
- Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Before serving, sprinkle a thin layer of brown sugar on top of each custard.
- Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar until it forms a crispy crust.
- Let the crème brûlée sit for a minute before serving to allow the sugar to harden.
General Notes
- Serves 4
- A classic French dessert featuring a creamy custard base topped with a crispy caramelized sugar crust.