Vanilla Crème Brûlée
The quintessential French dessert: a silky vanilla custard, baked gently in a water bath, topped with a thin layer of caramelised sugar that cracks under the spoon. Elegant and surprisingly simple, and made ahead.
Ingredients
- 500 ml whole single cream
- 5 egg yolks
- 60 g sugar
- 1 vanilla pod
- Brown sugar to caramelise
Method
- 1Preheat the oven to 100 °C.
- 2Split the vanilla pod, scrape the seeds and warm them in the cream without boiling; infuse 10 min.
- 3Whisk the yolks with the sugar until pale.
- 4Pour the warm cream over the yolks, whisking gently.
- 5Divide into ramekins, bake 40–45 minutes: the custard should be set but still wobbly in the centre.
- 6Chill at least 3 hours.
- 7To serve, sprinkle with brown sugar and caramelise with a torch (or under the grill).
Tips & tricks
- Low-temperature baking gives a smooth, bubble-free custard.
- It should wobble slightly in the centre when it comes out.
- Caramelise just before serving to keep the crackle.
Variations
- Flavoured with tonka bean, coffee or orange zest.
- No torch: 2 min under a very hot grill, watching closely.
Storage
The custards (un-caramelised) keep 2–3 days refrigerated.
Nutrition (per serving)
Ingredient substitutions
- Eggs : apple sauce (50 g per egg) or 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water.
- Cream : soy, oat or coconut cream.
- Sugar : maple syrup, honey or coconut sugar.
What to serve it with
- A coffee or fragrant tea
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Homemade custard
- Some fresh seasonal fruit
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to make "Vanilla Crème Brûlée"?
Allow about 15 min of prep and 45 min of cooking, i.e. 1 h in total for 4 servings.
Is this recipe easy to make?
Its difficulty is "Medium". Following the steps in order and our tips, it stays accessible.
Can I make "Vanilla Crème Brûlée" ahead and store it?
The custards (un-caramelised) keep 2–3 days refrigerated.
How many servings does this recipe make?
The quantities are for 4 servings. To adjust, simply multiply or divide the ingredients by the number of guests.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, "Vanilla Crème Brûlée" is vegetarian: it contains no meat or fish.
How many calories per serving?
One serving provides about 420 kcal, including 5 g of protein, 24 g of carbs and 33 g of fat.
