Creme Brulee is one in every of our favourite simple dessert recipes, that requires solely 5 substances. This traditional deal with is a delight for the senses, with its crunchy burnt sugar prime protecting a silky vanilla custard.
We like to re-create our favourite restaurant desserts at dwelling, corresponding to Chocolate Souffle, Tiramisu, chocolate-dipped Eclairs, and naturally this Creme Brulee recipe, which is the best of all of them! Watch our video tutorial and you may be a professional very quickly!

This submit could comprise affiliate hyperlinks. Learn my disclosure coverage.
Simple Vanilla Creme Brulee Recipe
Cream, eggs, sugar, salt, and vanilla are all that’s wanted to make the proper do-it-yourself creme brulee. That straightforward mixture of substances creates probably the most luxurious creamy custard, with a silky texture and wealthy vanilla taste similar to you’d discover in a high-end restaurant. It’s one in every of our favourite do-it-yourself desserts.
The considered making your individual creme brulee could appear daunting at first, nevertheless it’s really such a traditional and simple dessert. You’ll love how easy this recipe is, with its candy and velvety base tucked beneath a crunchy caramelized sugar topping.
Get able to seize your spoon, crack by the burnt-sugar crust, and scoop up a beneficiant quantity of that creamy custard. There received’t be any phrases, solely sound results.
Creme Brulee Video
Watch Natasha make this silky and traditional creme brulee with a crunchy torched sugar topping. P.S. In the event you haven’t already, please subscribe to our Youtube Channel and click on the bell icon so that you may be the primary to know once we submit our subsequent video.
What’s Creme Brulee?
Crème Brûlée (pronounced “krem-broo-lay”) means “burnt cream” in French. It’s a traditional dessert constructed from a creamy custard base topped with a layer of sugar. The sugar is then caramelized or “burnt” with a kitchen torch to create a hardened, crunchy prime.
Vanilla is the standard flavoring, however in the event you love Crème Brûlée, don’t miss our Espresso Creme Brulee and even Pumpkin Creme Brulee. You’ll have a favourite for each season!
Components
Under is a fast overview of the 4 easy substances you’ll have to make the proper creme brulee. Don’t overlook to seek advice from the total ingredient particulars within the recipe card.
- Heavy Cream – Full-fat heavy cream will yield the creamiest custard.
- Egg Yolks – Egg yolks thicken the custard and add richness. You’ll want the yolks from 5 giant eggs.
- Sugar – White granulated sugar is greatest, plus a pinch of nice sea salt to steadiness the candy flavors. Don’t overlook extra sugar for the caramelized topping.
- Salt – balances sweetness and makes the vanilla flavors shine. We didn’t all the time add salt nevertheless it’s even higher!
- Vanilla – Pure vanilla taste is a should. See beneath for extra particulars on the sorts of vanilla we suggest.

What sort of Vanilla Ought to I exploit?
Vanilla creme brulee requires the easiest vanilla taste: the actual form. Listed here are the choices that work superbly in do-it-yourself creme brulee:
- Vanilla Beans – These are lengthy vanilla pods of their pure type. You’ll have to slice them in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds then add to the cream whereas bringing to a simmer.
- Pure Vanilla Extract – That is the liquid extract from the vanilla bean. Ensure that to make use of actual vanilla extract, and never the unreal form. You’ll style the distinction!
- Vanilla Bean Paste – Vanilla paste is thicker than vanilla extract and infrequently accommodates flecks from the bean seeds. You’ll discover this within the baking aisle in most main grocery shops. That is what I used within the video – it’s simple and appears fabulous with these little vanilla flecks.

Professional Tip: In terms of changing one vanilla flavoring to a different, word that 1 vanilla bean is the same as 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste.
The right way to Make Creme Brulee
Making vanilla creme brulee from scratch is a seamless, 5-step course of:
- Heat the Cream – First, warmth 2 cups of heavy cream in a saucepan. Stir the cream steadily till it virtually reaches a simmer, then add vanilla extract and take away from warmth.
- Mix – In a separate bowl, whisk collectively the egg yolks with sugar and salt. Slowly stream the recent cream into the eggs whereas constantly whisking, to mood the eggs in order that they don’t scramble.
- Pressure – Subsequent, pressure the custard combination by a nice mesh sieve. This half is optionally available, nevertheless it does assist to knock out any bubbles and potential egg bits and ensures the silkiest consistency.
- Fill – Divide the custard evenly between six ovenproof ramekins or custard cups. Rigorously place the ramekins right into a 13×9 casserole dish stuffed with a water bathtub.
- Bake – Bake the creme brulee at 300˚F for 30-35 minutes. Lastly, switch the ramekins to a wire rack to chill, then cowl after which refrigerate.

Professional Tip: Be conscious to not overbake creme brulee. The facilities must be almost set with a slight wiggle whenever you give the pan a jolt. Overbaking will lead to a agency, extra flan-like consistency versus the creamy custard that we’re in search of.
Caramelizing the Sugar Topping
Torching is by far our favourite approach to caramelize sugar on creme brulee. A small, cheap handheld multi-purpose torch does the job. I picked up mine at House Depot together with a can of butane, because the torches are refillable. Additionally, a flame-thrower torch borrowed from the storage can even work nice.
- Sprinkle sugar – and swirl over every chilled custard.
- Brulee or scorch the highest – transferring in a sweeping round sample till all of the sugar has reached a deep amber colour.
The approach can take some getting used to, however belief us, you’ll be a professional very quickly. Watch out because the custard cups can get scorching.

Can I Make Creme Brulee And not using a Torch?
We’ve examined this underneath a broiler and we by no means had good leads to the oven. The heating components don’t give off uniform warmth throughout the highest leading to burnt spots with sugar granules on the identical time. In the event you don’t have a torch, save your self some frustration and take a look at these toppings as an alternative:
- Raspberries – or use blended recent berries to pile onto your creme brulee and prime with a mint leaf so as to add taste and colour.
- Citrus – prime with orange or tangerine segments and citrus zest.
- Berry Sauce – strive the do-it-yourself Strawberry Sauce, or berry sauce from our Panna Cotta and add the topping simply earlier than serving.
- Caramel – Simply earlier than serving, drizzle your creme brulee with Caramel Sauce.
- Shaved bittersweet chocolate additionally makes a simple substitute for the crackly sugar topping.
Widespread Questions
Vanilla creme brulee custard is wealthy and creamy, with a candy custardy taste. In the meantime, the burnt-sugar topping provides a candy and crunchy distinction.
Sure. If utilizing bigger ramekins, you’ll have to bake the creme brulee about 5 minutes longer, or till almost set with some wobble within the center. I recommend 4 6-8 oz ramekins if you wish to make them bigger.
The custard to your creme brulee may be prepped as much as 3 days upfront, making it an incredible celebration dessert. You’ll wish to brulee the highest simply earlier than serving. See beneath for extra make-ahead ideas.

Make-Forward
Whether or not you’re getting ready this dessert forward for a celebration or simply trying to get a headstart, right here’s how one can retailer your do-it-yourself creme brulee:
- To Refrigerate: The custard may be made 3 days upfront, lined, and refrigerated, nevertheless, you’ll wish to wait till serving so as to add the sugar topping. In any other case, the humidity of the fridge will soften the caramelized topping.
- Freezing: It’s additionally attainable to freeze creme brulee. Put together and bake the custard as directed, leaving off the sugar prime. As soon as the ramekins have cooled, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and freeze them for as much as 1 month. Thaw within the fridge, then prime them with sugar and torch them as standard earlier than serving.

We hope you’re impressed to whip up some fast and simple creme brulee this week! It’s simply one in every of our favourite desserts to make at any time when we entertain, because it’s effortlessly spectacular.
Extra Romantic Desserts
Searching for extra single-serving desserts which are excellent for events, Valentine’s Day, or a romantic date night time at dwelling? Attempt these different particular person treats which are positive to impress:
Simple Creme Brulee Recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook dinner Time: 40 minutes
Whole Time: 1 hour

Creme Brulee is one in every of our favourite simple dessert recipes, made with solely 4 substances. The silky texture and wealthy vanilla taste make this do-it-yourself creme brulee recipe style restaurant high quality.
Talent Stage:
Simple
Value to Make:
$6-$8
Key phrase:
creme brulee, simple creme brulee recipe, how one can make creme brulee, vanilla creme brulee
Delicacies:
French
Course:
Dessert
Energy: 388
Servings: 6 individuals
Components for Creme Brulee:
The right way to Make Creme Brulee:
-
Preheat the oven to 300˚F. Pour heavy cream right into a medium saucepan and set over medium warmth, stirring steadily till steaming and virtually at a simmer then add vanilla and take away from warmth.
-
In a medium bowl, whisk collectively 5 egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt till blended. Whereas whisking continuously, step by step drizzle within the scorching cream. Begin very slowly to keep away from scrambling your eggs.
-
Pressure the combination by a fine-mesh sieve into a big measuring cup with a pouring lip. Discard something left within the sieve. Divide the combination into 6 (4-oz) ramekins and place in a 9×13 casserole dish.
-
Fill the baking dish with boiling water about midway up the edges of the cups. Bake at 300˚F for 30-35 minutes, or till the facilities are almost set and have only a slight wiggle within the middle. Rigorously switch ramekins from the water bathtub to a wire rack and funky to room temp then cowl and refrigerate creme brulee till absolutely chilled (2 hours or as much as 3 days).
To Caramelize the Prime:
-
When able to serve, put 1 1/2 to 2 tsp sugar on every custard, swirling to unfold evenly. Torch the highest – transferring in a round sample till the entire floor is caramelized to a deep amber colour.
*If utilizing bigger ramekins, bake 5 minutes longer, or till almost set with some wobble within the middle.
Vitamin Details
Simple Creme Brulee Recipe
Quantity Per Serving
Energy 388
Energy from Fats 297
% Each day Worth*
Fats 33g51%
Saturated Fats 20g125%
Ldl cholesterol 271mg90%
Sodium 38mg2%
Potassium 76mg2%
Carbohydrates 20g7%
Sugar 17g19%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 1383IU28%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 71mg7%
Iron 1mg6%
* % Each day Values are primarily based on a 2000 calorie weight loss plan.

