Easy Crème Brûlée Recipe (Classic French Dessert)
This Easy Crème Brûlée Recipe creates a rich, silky vanilla custard topped with a perfectly crisp caramelized sugar crust. Elegant yet surprisingly simple to make, this classic French dessert is perfect for dinner parties, holidays, date nights, or whenever you want a restaurant-quality treat at home. Crack through the golden topping to reveal the creamy custard beneath for an unforgettable dessert experience.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Saucepan
- Ramekins (6 small)
- Baking dish (for water bath)
- Kitchen torch or oven broiler
Ingredients
- Egg yolks
- Granulated sugar
- Heavy cream
- Vanilla extract or vanilla bean
- Superfine sugar (for topping)
Instructions
- Prep Ramekins: Arrange ramekins in a baking dish. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Make Custard: Whisk egg yolks with sugar until pale. Heat cream with vanilla until warm, then temper into yolks.
- Bake in Water Bath: Pour custard into ramekins. Place baking dish in oven and add hot water halfway up ramekins. Bake 35–40 minutes until custard is set but slightly jiggly.
- Chill: Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate 2–4 hours.
- Caramelize Sugar: Sprinkle a thin layer of superfine sugar on each custard. Torch until golden and crisp, or broil for 2–3 minutes.
- Serve: Let sugar harden for 1 minute, then serve immediately.
Notes
- Use superfine sugar for smooth caramelization.
- Chill custards overnight for deeper flavor.
- Caramelize sugar just before serving—never ahead of time.
- Infuse cream with coffee, citrus zest, or chocolate for variations.
- Store custards (without sugar topping) in fridge up to 3 days.