5 from 14 votes
Classic Crème Brûlée
Classic Crème Brûlée is a smooth, creamy custard dessert made with egg yolks, sugar, cream, and vanilla. Baked gently in a water bath, it achieves a delicate, wobbly texture before chilling to set. The dessert is finished with a layer of caramelized sugar on top, creating a crisp contrast to the silky custard beneath. This recipe guides through a traditional method for achieving the perfect balance between creamy custard and crisp brûlée topping.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
chilling
3 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 55 mins
Servings:
6
servings
Calories:
381 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
French
Ingredients
- 4 egg large yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus extra for topping
- 2 cups heavy cream or half and half
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325F Set 4-6 oven proof ramekins in a square baking pan, or other pan that will fit them.
- Whisk the egg yolks with the sugar until smooth and lighter in color.
- Slowly whisk in the cream, salt, and vanilla.
- Fill the ramekins 7/8 of the way full. Note: I like to use a bowl with a spout to make filling easier.
- Add very hot water to the pan to come half way up the ramekins.
- Bake on the center rack for 40-45 minutes. The custard will still be wobbly, but it will firm up as it cools. Keep the custards in the pan with the water for an additional 15 minutes on the counter, then remove them to cool. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Sprinkle a scant teaspoon of granulated sugar evenly over the surface of each chilled ramekin. Use a kitchen torch to melt and caramelize the sugar. Do a test first to get used to how your torch works. Keep the flame moving in a circular motion until the whole surface has melted and turned golden. A little blackening is ok.
- Let the custards sit for 15 minutes before serving.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
381kcal
(19%)
Carbohydrates
19g
(6%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
33g
(51%)
Saturated Fat
19g
(95%)
Cholesterol
239mg
(80%)
Sodium
85mg
(4%)
Potassium
75mg
(2%)
Sugar
17g
(34%)
Vitamin A
1339IU
(27%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
67mg
(7%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 381
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 381kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 19g | 6% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 33g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 19g | 95% |
| Cholesterol | 239mg | 80% |
| Sodium | 85mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 75mg | 2% |
| Sugar | 17g | 34% |
| Vitamin A | 1339IU | 27% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 67mg | 7% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.