Vanilla Creme Brulee + Video
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
50 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
8
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Calories
406 kcal
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Course
Dessert
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Cuisine
International
Vanilla Creme Brulee + Video
Description
Vanilla Creme Brulee rests on a custard base composed of egg yolks, sugar, whipping cream, and pure vanilla extract. The mixture is carefully combined until smooth and poured into individual ramekins. These are cooked in a water bath in a low-temperature oven for about 50 minutes to achieve a tender, creamy texture without cooking the eggs too quickly. Cooling in the water bath and then chilling in the refrigerator helps the custard to fully set.
The distinct characteristic of this dessert is the hardened caramelized sugar topping applied just before serving, created by sprinkling sugar evenly over the cold custard and melting it with a torch or broiler. This forms a brittle contrast to the smooth custard underneath. The whipping cream lends richness, while the vanilla imparts the foundational aromatic flavor.
Creme Brulee is typically served chilled, with the caramelized sugar topping freshly made to retain its crispness. The ramekin size is about 3¼ inches in diameter and 1¼ inches deep, holding roughly half a cup each. The sugar crust is best consumed within 2 hours to avoid softening. If serving later, the sugar topping should be left off until just before serving, and the custards kept covered in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Ingredients
- 10 large egg room temperature, yolk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 cups whipping cream (room temperature)
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract pure
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar for caramelizing tops of custard
Instructions
- Set oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 300°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, use electric mixer or whisk to combine the egg yolks and sugar, mixing until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is pale yellow in color.
- Add the whipping cream and vanilla extract, and beat on low speed until well blended, about 30 seconds.
- Pour custard evenly throughout 8 ramekins or custard cups, leaving 1/2 inch space below the rim. (See Note 1)Optionally, pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer directly into the ramekins or custard cups, to remove any foam, bubbles, or cooked egg.
- Place the filled ramekins into a large roasting pan with sides (13x9") and carefully pour hot water around ramekins so that the water comes 3/4 way up the sides of ramekins.
- Bake until set, about 50 minutes. Carefully remove pan from oven and leave ramekins in the water bath until cooled.
- Remove ramekins from water bath, use paper toweling to dry off the sides. Place in refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours, and up to two days. (See Note 2)
- Prior to serving, remove from refrigerator and sprinkle about 1-2 teaspoons of sugar over top of each vanilla custard. Using a small, hand-held butane torch, melt and caramelize the sugar. If you don't have a torch, place ramekins under broiler, 2 to 3 inches from the heat source. Turn on broiler and cook until sugar melts and browns or even blackens a bit, about 5 minutes. Optionally - Re-chill the creme brulee for 5 minutes to harden the sugar before serving.
Notes
- Use ramekins approximately 3¼" in diameter and 1¼" deep, each holding about ½ cup of custard.
- For best texture, avoid caramelizing sugar topping until just before serving to prevent it from softening over time.
- If preparing ahead, cover chilled custards with plastic wrap without sugar topping and refrigerate for up to 2 days; add sugar and caramelize just before serving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 406 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 406kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 21g | 7% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 33g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 19g | 95% |
| Cholesterol | 346mg | 115% |
| Sodium | 39mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 80mg | 2% |
| Sugar | 19g | 38% |
| Vitamin A | 1420IU | 28% |
| Vitamin C | 0.4mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 77mg | 8% |
| Iron | 0.6mg | 3% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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