Welcome to a delightful recipe for Crème Brûlée, a classic French dessert that combines a rich, creamy custard with a crisp, caramelized sugar topping. This dessert is perfect for impressing guests at a dinner party or enjoying a special treat at home. Follow this detailed guide to create a luxurious Crème Brûlée that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Before we start, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients for the Crème Brûlée.
For the Custard:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 vanilla bean (or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract)
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- Pinch of salt
For the Caramelized Topping:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the Custard
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Heat the Cream: In a medium saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Do not let it boil. If using a vanilla bean, split it lengthwise, scrape out the seeds, and add both the seeds and the pod to the cream. If using vanilla extract, add it later.
- Infuse the Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the cream infuse with the vanilla for about 15 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean pod if used.
- Mix the Egg Yolks and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened.
- Combine the Mixtures: Gradually pour the warm cream into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from curdling. If using vanilla extract, add it now. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any bits of cooked egg and ensure a smooth custard.