Discover the delight of preparing a Simple Crème Brûlée with this foolproof recipe. Known for its rich, creamy custard and a beautifully caramelized top, this classic French dessert offers a spectacular finale to any meal. Even with minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, the result is nothing short of luxurious.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 2
Ingredients for Simple Crème Brûlée:
- Heavy Cream: 1 cup, the base of the custard
- White Sugar: 3 tablespoons plus 2 tablespoons, used both in the custard and for caramelizing
- Egg Yolks: 3 large, thickens and enriches the custard
- Vanilla Extract: ¼ teaspoon, adds a subtle but essential flavor
Directions to Make Simple Crème Brûlée:
- Preparation:
- Start your Simple Crème Brûlée by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C). Gather all your ingredients for efficiency.
- Custard Mixture:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and 3 tablespoons of sugar. Heat in the microwave until warm, about 1-2 minutes—whisk again to ensure the sugar is fully dissolved. Stir in the egg yolks and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
- Baking the Custard:
- Pour the cream mixture into two ramekins placed in a roasting pan. Add hot water to the pan to halfway up the sides of the ramekins. This water bath helps cook the custard gently, ensuring it doesn’t curdle.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the custard sets but is still slightly jiggly in the center, approximately 50 minutes. The jiggle means it will set perfectly as it cools.
- Chilling and Caramelizing:
- Remove the ramekins from the water bath and allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Once chilled, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar evenly over each custard. Using a kitchen torch, melt the sugar until it browns and bubbles—this creates the signature crispy top. Allow the sugar to harden before serving.
Chef’s Tips:
- For an extra decadent touch, add a pinch of salt to the custard to enhance the flavors.
- Ensure your ramekins are dry before sugar topping to prevent the sugar from clumping.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 612
- Total Fat: 51g (Saturated Fat: 30g)
- Cholesterol: 470mg
- Sodium: 57mg
- Carbohydrates: 36g (Sugars: 32g)
- Protein: 6g
- Vitamin C: 1mg
- Calcium: 110mg
- Iron: 1mg
- Potassium: 118mg
This Simple Crème Brûlée recipe not only guides you through each step but also ensures that each serving is a testament to your culinary skills, perfect for impressing dinner guests or treating yourself to a gourmet dessert at home.