Description
Silky classic crème brûlée beckons with French culinary elegance, promising creamy custard kissed by caramelized sugar. Rich vanilla notes and delicate textures invite dessert enthusiasts to savor each memorable spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 6 large egg yolks
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 6 teaspoons demerara sugar (coarse sugar, or white sugar)
- ½ vanilla bean
- 1 pinch kosher salt
Instructions
- Preparation Setup: Position oven rack in lower-middle section at 300°F, creating optimal custard environment.
- Flavor Infusion: Combine cream, sugar, salt, and vanilla bean in saucepan. Heat gently until sugar dissolves, bringing to soft boil. Remove from heat, allowing vanilla to steep for 15 minutes.
- Custard Base Creation: Whisk egg yolks until smooth, gradually tempering with warm cream mixture to prevent curdling. Strain through fine-mesh sieve to ensure silky consistency.
- Ramekin Arrangement: Line large baking dish with kitchen towel, positioning ramekins securely. Distribute custard evenly among containers, filling with precision.
- Water Bath Technique: Surround ramekins with boiling water, ensuring liquid reaches two-thirds up sides without splashing. Carefully transfer to preheated oven.
- Baking Process: Cook for 30-35 minutes, monitoring for delicate, barely set center. Remove and cool on wire rack for approximately 2 hours.
- Chilling and Finishing: Refrigerate custards for minimum 4 hours until fully set. Before serving, blot surface moisture and sprinkle thin sugar layer.
- Caramelization: Use culinary torch to transform sugar into crisp, golden-brown shell, creating signature crème brûlée texture and flavor.
Notes
- Precision Matters: Use room temperature eggs for smoother tempering and consistent custard texture.
- Temperature Control: Monitor cream temperature carefully to prevent overheating and ensure silky custard consistency.
- Infusion Technique: Let vanilla steep for full 15 minutes to maximize deep, rich flavor profile.
- Torch Tips: Move torch constantly while caramelizing sugar to prevent burning and achieve even golden-brown crust.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 225 mg