Ultimate Crème Brûlée Recipe: Creamy, Classic & Easy to Master
A classic French dessert with silky vanilla custard and a crisp caramelized top, easy to make at home and perfect for special dinners.
Equipment
- Ramekins
- Roasting Tin
- Baking dish
- Hand mixer or whisk
- Fine sieve
- Kitchen torch or broiler
- Measuring jug
Ingredients
- 2 cups 480 ml – heavy cream – Use double cream if available for a richer custard.
- ½ cup 100 g – whole milk – Or use more cream if you prefer.
- 1 – vanilla pod – Or 1 tsp pure vanilla extract.
- 5 – large egg yolks – Save whites for another recipe.
- ⅓ cup 70 g – golden caster sugar – For the custard.
- 2 tbsp 25 g – caster sugar – For the caramelized top.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Arrange 4 ramekins in a deep roasting tin.
- Warm the cream by heating heavy cream and milk with the vanilla pod (or extract) over medium heat until steaming.
- Whisk the yolks and sugar together in a bowl until lightened and slightly foamy.
- Temper the yolks by slowly pouring the hot cream into the yolks while whisking constantly.
- Strain the mixture through a fine sieve for a silky custard, then divide evenly among the ramekins.
- Create a water bath by carefully pouring hot water into the roasting tin until it reaches halfway up the ramekins’ sides.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly.
- Chill the custards in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- Add sugar by sprinkling a thin layer of caster sugar on top of each custard.
- Caramelize the sugar with a kitchen torch (or broiler) until golden and glassy, then let harden for 1–2 minutes before serving.
Notes
“This ultimate crème brûlée recipe is a classic French dessert inspired by techniques from BBC Good Food. You can make it ahead of time and torch the sugar just before serving for the best texture.
For a full menu, pair this dessert with easy dinner recipes on your site.
If you love this creme brûlée dessert, explore our sophisticated dessert recipes, ultimate fudgy brownies recipe, and no‑bake raspberry cheesecake pages.”
For a full menu, pair this dessert with easy dinner recipes on your site.
If you love this creme brûlée dessert, explore our sophisticated dessert recipes, ultimate fudgy brownies recipe, and no‑bake raspberry cheesecake pages.”