If you’ve ever dreamed of making a luxurious, creamy dessert right in your own kitchen without fuss or fancy equipment, you’re in for a treat with this Easy Creme Brulee Recipe. This classic French custard delivers that silky smooth texture and perfectly caramelized sugar topping that cracks delightfully with each spoonful. It’s elegant, comforting, and surprisingly simple to pull off — making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser whether for a special occasion or a sweet everyday indulgence.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating the perfect creme brulee relies on just a handful of ingredients, each playing a key role in delivering that rich flavor and creamy consistency. These essentials are easy to find, and their simplicity is what makes this Easy Creme Brulee Recipe so wonderfully approachable.
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream: The foundation for the custard’s luscious texture and rich flavor.
- 5 large egg yolks: These provide the silky structure and subtle creaminess that define this dessert.
- 1/2 cup sugar (plus extra for caramelizing): Sweetens the custard and forms the iconic burnt sugar crust on top.
- 1 pinch fine sea salt: Enhances the sweetness and deepens the overall flavor.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste): Adds a warm, aromatic note essential for classic creme brulee.
How to Make Easy Creme Brulee Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Custard Base
Start by gently heating the heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it’s warm but not boiling. Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks together with sugar and a pinch of sea salt until the mixture is smooth and pale. Slowly pour the warm cream into the yolk mixture, stirring constantly to combine everything evenly without cooking the eggs.
Step 2: Add the Vanilla Flavor
Stir in the vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste now for that unmistakable creamy aroma that evokes the true essence of this dessert. This step infuses the custard base with the perfect vanilla depth, setting your Easy Creme Brulee Recipe apart.
Step 3: Bake the Custard
Pour the mixture into six ramekins placed in a deep baking pan. Fill the pan with hot water halfway up the sides of the ramekins to create a water bath, which gently cooks the custard evenly. Bake in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 40 minutes, or until the custard is set but still slightly wobbly in the center.
Step 4: Chill Thoroughly
Remove the ramekins from the water bath and let cool to room temperature before refrigerating for at least 2 hours. This chilling step is crucial as it helps the custard firm up to a velvety, pudding-like texture.
Step 5: Caramelize the Sugar Topping
Right before serving, sprinkle a thin, even layer of sugar across each custard surface. Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar until it forms a crisp, golden-brown crust. If you don’t have a torch, placing them under a broiler for a minute or two works well too—just watch closely to avoid burning.
How to Serve Easy Creme Brulee Recipe
Garnishes
Keep the toppings simple to let the creme brulee shine. A few fresh berries such as raspberries or blueberries add a lovely pop of color and a hint of tartness. You can also dust a little powdered sugar or place a small mint leaf for elegance and freshness.
Side Dishes
This dessert pairs beautifully with light accompaniments like a crisp green salad or a small portion of fruit compote. If you want something more indulgent, a dollop of whipped cream or a bite of buttery shortbread cookie complements the creamy custard and crunchy topping.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist with your Easy Creme Brulee Recipe, try serving it in miniature jars or decorative glasses to wow guests visually. You might even experiment by adding a sprinkle of finely chopped nuts or a dash of spice like cinnamon for a subtle new layer of flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store any leftover creme brulee in the refrigerator, covered tightly with plastic wrap or a lid, for up to 3 days. The custard will keep its creamy texture but be sure to wait until just before serving to re-caramelize the sugar topping.
Freezing
While creme brulee is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the custard base before caramelizing. Pour the custard into ramekins, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the fridge and add the caramelized sugar topping freshly.
Reheating
Reheat creme brulee gently by placing the ramekin in a warm water bath or room temperature for a few minutes before re-caramelizing. Avoid microwave reheating as it can alter the texture and crack the custard.
FAQs
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
Heavy cream is key for the rich, creamy texture that creme brulee is famous for. Milk would make the custard thinner and less luxurious, so it’s best to stick with heavy cream for this Easy Creme Brulee Recipe.
What if I don’t have a kitchen torch?
No worries! You can place the ramekins under a high broiler for 1–2 minutes to caramelize the sugar. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning and remove as soon as the sugar is golden and bubbly.
How do I know when the custard is done baking?
The custard should be firm around the edges but still slightly jiggle in the center when you gently shake the pan. It will continue to set as it cools, so avoid overbaking to keep it silky.
Can I prepare the dessert a day ahead?
Absolutely! In fact, preparing your Easy Creme Brulee Recipe a day ahead allows the flavors to fully develop and the custard to set perfectly. Just remember to add the caramelized sugar topping right before serving for crisp texture.
Why is my sugar topping not crisping properly?
Make sure to evenly sprinkle a thin layer of sugar and use a sufficiently hot torch or broiler. If the layer is too thick or uneven, the sugar may melt too slowly or clump instead of crisping.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Creme Brulee Recipe is a delicious way to bring a touch of French patisserie magic to your kitchen without any fuss. The creamy custard paired with that satisfying caramelized sugar crunch is pure dessert heaven. I truly hope you enjoy making and sharing this timeless treat as much as I do. Give it a try and watch your friends and family fall in love bite after bite!
Print
Easy Creme Brulee Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour (excluding chilling time)
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Description
This Easy Crème Brûlée recipe is a classic French dessert featuring a rich, creamy custard base topped with a contrasting layer of crisp caramelized sugar. It combines simple ingredients like heavy cream, egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla to create an elegant, indulgent treat perfect for special occasions or everyday desserts.
Ingredients
Custard Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for caramelizing)
- 1 pinch fine sea salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Custard Base: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and fine sea salt until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened. Meanwhile, heat the heavy cream in a saucepan until just about to simmer, then slowly pour the hot cream into the egg yolk mixture while whisking continuously to temper the eggs and prevent curdling. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Strain and Bake: Strain the custard mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to ensure a smooth texture. Pour the mixture evenly into six ramekins. Place the ramekins in a deep baking dish or roasting pan and carefully pour hot water into the pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins, creating a water bath to gently cook the custards.
- Bake Until Set: Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes or until the custards are set but still slightly jiggly in the center. Remove the ramekins from the water bath and cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to fully chill and firm up.
- Caramelize the Sugar Topping: Before serving, sprinkle a thin, even layer of granulated sugar over each chilled custard. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar by melting it until golden brown and crisp. Alternatively, place the ramekins under a broiler for a few minutes watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve: Allow the caramelized sugar to harden for a minute or two, then serve immediately for the signature crackling contrast between the creamy custard and caramelized topping.
Notes
- Use room temperature egg yolks to help mix evenly with the hot cream.
- Straining the custard mixture is essential for smoothness and to remove any cooked egg bits.
- If you don’t have a kitchen torch, the broiler step works well but watch it closely to prevent burning.
- Crème brûlée can be made a day ahead of time and refrigerated before caramelizing the sugar.
