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Creamy, silky and topped with that signature crackly caramelized sugar crust, this easy Crème Brûlée recipe looks like a fancy restaurant dessert but is surprisingly simple to make at home. The vanilla custard uses just four basic ingredients and bakes gently in a water bath until perfectly creamy. Best of all, you can make the custards ahead of time and brûlée the tops right before serving.
Table of Contents
- Kellie’s Note Just Torch It
- Why You’ll Love This Crème Brûlée
- Ingredients For Creme Brûlée
- Equipment You Will Need
- How To Make Creme Brulee
- How to Know When Crème Brûlée Is Done
- Torch Safety:
- Kellie’s Tips for Perfect Creme Brûlée
- How to Caramelize Crème Brûlée
- Make Ahead and Storage
- What is Creme Brûlée
- Variations and Flavor Ideas
- What to Serve With Crème Brûlée
- More Easy Dessert Recipes
- Creme Brûlée Recipe
This is hands down, the best creme Brulee recipe that I have found, and I’ve made about 7. My 6 year old daughter always asks for this and when I say I’m gonna try a new recipe she says, “no mommy, yours is the best.” I tell her it’s not my recipe but I am very thankful that a really nice lady shared it with us on the internet. Great job! We LOVE IT!
– Renee
Kellie’s Note
Just Torch It
There’s something so satisfying about taking the first crack at the top of Crème Brûlée. It’s a little therapeutic digging into this classic French dessert, like any bit of pent up aggression can be spent with one little whack of the spoon.
The Best Vanilla Crème Brûlée recipe is just that, the very best. And I say that because it’s creamy and light, sweet but not overly so, simple to prepare and, dare I say, fun to make. It’s also the most impressive dessert to serve for every occasion because it just seems so fancy, when it’s really not at all. Just a basic baked custard with a burnt sugar top. So simple, but so elegant.
Why You’ll Love This Crème Brûlée
- Surprisingly easy: Crème brûlée may look fancy, but the custard itself is made with just cream, egg yolks, sugar and vanilla.
- Silky, creamy texture: A gentle water bath and precise doneness cues keep the custard smooth instead of rubbery or eggy.
- That perfect crackly top: A thin layer of superfine sugar caramelizes quickly into the crisp shell everyone loves.
- Make-ahead friendly: Bake and chill the custards ahead, then torch the sugar just before serving.
- Beginner friendly: I’ve included the exact cues to look for so you’ll know when the custard is done, no guessing required.
Ingredients For Creme Brûlée
What I love about this easy Creme Brûlée recipe is made with simple ingredients and you probably already have them in your kitchen.
- Heavy Cream – As tempting as it may be to try and lighten things up a bit with something like milk or half and half, resist the urge. In order to have the creamiest, smoothest custard base possible heavy cream is the way to go. Heavy cream helps your custard become velvety and rich.
- Vanilla – Whole Vanilla beans are a bit spendy these days but it’s my preferred way to infuse flavor into your creme Brûlée. If you can’t find vanilla beans or are trying to keep costs down you can use a teaspoon of vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract. But since this is a special occasion dessert, you may want to try to seek out the beans.
- Sugar – For the custard base you can use regular granulated white sugar but for the topping, try to find Caster Sugar or superfine sugar as it melts a little smoother and much more quickly than granulated sugar. If you can’t find superfine sugar, you can use granulated sugar but your crust may be a little more granular.
- Eggs – Room temperature eggs will work best to ensure a creamy custard. To be sure your measurements are accurate use large eggs for this recipe. You will only be using the yolks for this recipe so save the egg whites for your favorite egg muffins or to make a fluffy meringue. If it’s around the holidays, make this Royal Icing! It’s amazing.
For the full ingredient list and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Equipment You Will Need
- Instant-read thermometer (optional but helpful)
- Six 4 – 6 oz ramekins
- Deep roasting pan (for the water bath)
- Kettle or saucepan (for hot water)
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Kitchen torch (preferred) or oven broiler
How To Make Creme Brulee
Classic Creme Brûlée can seem intimidating to make but it’s really simple and quick.
- Heat the cream. Warm the heavy cream, vanilla and part of the sugar just until steaming. Don’t let it boil. Remove from the heat and cool slightly.
- Whisk the yolks. Whisk the egg yolks with the remaining granulated sugar until combined.
- Temper the eggs. Slowly whisk a small amount of the warm cream into the yolks. Continue adding cream gradually so the eggs warm without scrambling.
- Strain. Pour the custard through a fine-mesh sieve for an extra-smooth texture.
- Fill the ramekins. Divide the custard evenly among six shallow 6-ounce ramekins.
- Make the water bath. Arrange the ramekins in a deep roasting pan and carefully add hot water until it reaches halfway up their sides.
- Bake. Bake at 300°F until the edges are set and the centers still have a gentle wobble. The center should register approximately 170–175°F.
- Chill. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 4–6 hours or overnight.
- Brûlée the tops. Sprinkle a thin, even layer of superfine sugar over each custard and caramelize with a kitchen torch.
- Serve. Let the sugar harden for a minute or two, then serve.
I made a Pumpkin Spice Creme Brûlée a couple years ago which I love just as much, it’s so great for Thanksgiving and Christmas!
How to Know When Crème Brûlée Is Done
This is the most important part of making crème brûlée: don’t wait until the center looks completely firm.
The edges should be set while the center still has a gentle wobble when you lightly jiggle the ramekin. It shouldn’t look liquid or slosh around.
For extra insurance, check the center with an instant-read thermometer. I look for approximately 170–175°F. The custard continues to firm up as it cools, giving you that silky texture once chilled.
We love this Kitchen Torch for making creme brûlée but it’s also handy for so many other things like roasting peppers, toasting marshmallows, melting cheese and more.
Torch Safety:
- Let the sugar top cool 1-2 minutes before serving.
- Always brûlée on a heat-safe surface; don’t hold the ramekin while torching.
- Keep the flame moving in quick passes to avoid scorching.
Kellie’s Tips for Perfect Creme Brûlée
- Plan ahead – the Very Best Creme Brûlée recipe is best if made in advance. At least a day is optimal. This gives the custard time to chill and set up in the fridge. Just be sure to cover with plastic wrap before transferring to the refrigerator.
- Ramekins – Be mindful of the size of your custard cups. I used 6 6-ounce shallow ramekins with a baking time of approximately 50 minutes until they seemed set up. If you go bigger they will take longer to cook. So, if your custard is about 1 inch deep….baking time will be approximately 30 minutes…..2 inches deep and you’re looking at about approximately 50-60 minutes of baking time. Low and slow is the only way to go. The shallower your dishes, the better.
- Sugar – Don’t go too heavy handed when sprinkling the top with sugar for the brûlée step. And be sure to coat evenly for best results. You don’t want to leave the kitchen torch in one spot too long because it will begin to cook the custard beneath the sugar crust, and that’s no good.
- Bain Marie – aka the water bath for your creme brulee. It’s just a deep baking sheet, baking dish or roasting pan that is filled with a bit of water (only halfway up the sides of your ramekin). Don’t skip this step because it helps ensure your custard cooks gently without any hot spots that could scramble the eggs. AND be careful not to get any water in the custard mixture because it will cause your custard not to set up at all.
- Temper the Eggs – When adding the milk mixture to the eggs, be sure to do it slowly and whisking constantly so you don’t scramble the eggs. Pouring the hot milk into the eggs too quickly will result in very lumpy (and very egg-y tasting) creme Brûlée.
Why Does Crème Brûlée Need a Water Bath?
The water bath keeps the heat around the ramekins gentle and even. Without it, the outside of the custard can overcook before the center is ready, giving you a firmer or grainy texture instead of that silky crème brûlée consistency. Fill the roasting pan with hot water until it reaches about halfway up the ramekins and be careful not to splash water into the custard.
How to Caramelize Crème Brûlée
A kitchen torch gives you the most control and is my preferred method. Sprinkle the chilled custard with a thin, even layer of sugar, then keep the flame moving until the sugar melts and turns golden amber.
No torch? You can use the broiler. Start with very cold custards, place them several inches beneath a fully heated broiler and watch them constantly, the sugar can go from caramelized to burned quickly. Because the broiler warms more of the custard than a torch, chill the ramekins again briefly if the tops become too warm before serving.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make ahead: Bake and chill the custards without the sugar topping up to 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
- Before serving: Add the sugar and brûlée the tops shortly before serving for the crispest crust.
- Leftovers: Cover and refrigerate for 2–3 days. The caramelized topping will soften over time.
- Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing crème brûlée because freezing and thawing can compromise the smooth custard texture.
- Reheating: No reheating needed. Crème brûlée is served chilled; only the sugar topping is heated when you caramelize it.
What is Creme Brûlée
Creme Brûlée is a dessert made up of a rich custard base topped with a crunchy shell of burnt sugar. Also known as Burnt Creme, burnt cream or Trinity Cream, classic creme Brûlée is normally served chilled and is warmed slightly by the creme Brûlée torch that is used to caramelize the sugar topping.
The most common is Vanilla Creme Brulee recipe which we’re making here today. It’s one of the easiest desserts to make and a fantastic make ahead dessert for holidays or special occasion….even if the special day is you survived a Monday.
Variations and Flavor Ideas
- Vanilla-Bean Luxe: Use a scraped vanilla bean plus ½ teaspoon extract for layered aroma.
- Espresso: Stir in 1-2 teaspoon instant espresso powder to the warm cream.
- Citrus: Add 1-2 teaspoon finely grated orange or lemon zest; strain before baking.
- Chocolate: Whisk 2 ounces finely chopped dark chocolate into the warm cream until smooth.
- Bourbon: Add 1 teaspoon bourbon to the custard after tempering.
What to Serve With Crème Brûlée
Crème brûlée doesn’t need much, the contrast between cold vanilla custard and warm caramelized sugar is really the whole point. I like to add fresh raspberries, strawberries or blueberries for color and a little freshness.
It’s a great make-ahead dessert for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas, anniversaries and dinner parties, because almost all of the work can be finished before your guests arrive.
More Easy Dessert Recipes
- The BEST New York Cheesecake Recipe
- Rich Chocolate Pot de Creme
- Easy Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- Super Rich Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe
- The Very Best Vanilla Pudding Recipe
If you’re feeling really adventurous and maybe have some leftover Vanilla Creme Brûlée sitting around after your celebration, you should totally make these easy Creme Brûlée Chocolate Eggs.
And if you’re looking for a truly decadent vanilla dessert that’s more ready when you are, you should totally stock your freezer with this homemade Vanilla Ice Cream. It’s crazy insanely addicting. Rich, creamy and perfect, just like the Very Best Creme Brûlée recipe.
Want to see what else we’re testing out in our kitchen? Follow us over on Instagram.
Creme Brûlée Recipe
Equipment
- 1 kitchen torch
- 6 Ramekins
- roasting pan
- Instant Read Thermometer
- whisk
Ingredients
- 4 cups heavy cream
- 2 vanilla beans, split lengthwise (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 10 egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons superfine sugar, plus more as needed. granulated sugar can be used here but may increase cooking time
- fresh berries, optional, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
- In a large saucepan, whisk together the cream, vanilla and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer over low heat (cream will begin to steam) then remove from the heat and cool to for 10-15 minutes.
- Scrape the seeds out of the vanilla beans and stir into the cream. Rinse the empty beans and reserve for another use.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and remaining granulated sugar until pale and frothy. While whisking, ladle 1/4 cup of the cream mixture into the eggs until combined. Slowly add another 1/4 cup of the cream to the egg mixture to combine. (This step tempers the eggs and keeps them from scrambling when you mix them into the cream.)
- Slowly whisk the egg mixture into the cream mixture until thoroughly combined.
- Arrange 6 6-ounce ramekins on a deep baking sheet or roasting pan. Strain custard through a fine-mesh sieve before filling ramekins. Divide the cream mixture evenly among the ramekins and set ramekins in a roasting pan.
- Fill the roasting pan with hot water until it reaches halfway up the ramekins (BE SURE NOT to splash any water into the ramekins, POUR SLOWLY.)
- Bake the custard at 300°F for 45-50 minutes until edges set and the center gently jiggles (internal temperature will be 175°F on an instant read thermometer).
- Cool the custards to room temperature then chill 4–6 hours (or overnight). Brûlée with about 1 teaspoon sugar per ramekin just before serving.
- Before serving, sprinkle the custard with the superfine sugar and melt the sugar with a kitchen torch until caramelized. Alternatively, you can melt the sugar by placing the custard under the broiler until caramelized.
- Top with fruit, if desired. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Don’t boil the cream. Temper the mixture slowly. Whisk gently to minimize bubbles. Use superfine sugar for the most even, shatter-crisp top.
- Custards can be made up to 48 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator wrapped lightly with plastic wrap. Store covered in the refrigerator for 2–3 days. For the crispest topping, brûlée immediately before serving.
- Be mindful of the size of your custard cups. I used 6 6-ounce ramekins with a baking time of approximately 50 minutes until they set up. If you go with a larger ramekin they will take longer to cook. So, if your custard is about 1 inch deep, baking time will be approximately 30 minutes, 2 inches deep and you’re looking at about approximately 50-60 minutes of baking time. Low and slow is the only way to go. The shallower your dishes, the better.
- Freezing is not recommended because it may alter the smooth custard texture.
- Crème brûlée is served chilled and does not need to be reheated.
- If the custard is still liquid in the center, continue baking in 5-minute increments; remove it while the center still gently wobbles.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The cream likely got too hot or the custard overbaked. Warm the cream just to steaming, temper slowly, and bake only to a gentle jiggle. Straining helps, too.
It needed a bit more time. Return to the oven in 2–3 minute bursts. Look for set edges and a soft wobble in the center (about 175°F internal if checking).
Superfine (caster) sugar melts the most evenly. If using regular granulated sugar, torch in quick passes and give brief rests so it doesn’t scorch.
Yes, use a shallow, oven-safe dish and extend the bake. Start checking around 35 minutes and use the same jiggle cue.
Absolutely, see my Variations below for espresso, citrus, chocolate, and bourbon ideas.
Hi there, wondering how the total time is around 5 hours? I read through the directions and can’t calculate all the steps would take that long?
Hi Karen! It’s a guesstimate based on the minimum time to chill the creme brulee…..best results is overnight but if you’re crunched for time, you could pull it off with just a 3 hour chill.
Where did you get your kitchen torch!
Thanks,
Carol
You can purchase them just about anywhere. Mine was a gift. Check out Williams Sonoma or even Target sells them.
I loved this recipe it was super easy and delicious thanks for sharing
Thank you! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Harbor freight has one for like 13 dollars. And then just get the fuel at any gas station.
Thanks for the tip!
This recipe made way more than six. Half the recipe would be more like six
Well, I guess it depends on how small your ramekins are but extra creme brulee is never a bad thing. Right?
Can this recipe be transferred into something larger(say an 8×8 baking dish for more people?
It can definitely be made in a large baking dish but the baking time will increase. I would double the baking time and just check it before removing from the oven. Make sure it’s more shallow than deep so it sets up and is not runny in the middle.
My favortie – great recipe very easy to make! Everyone really enjoyed it, thanks so much!
Definitely the very best! And I’m glad to know that I can just broil the top since I don’t have a torch.
Incredibly easy & so good!! I like making this when I need a little fancier dessert. Love adding the berries on top!
This was really amazing!! Everyone at my house loved it!
OH wow, I absolutely love this simple and delicious dessert!! I can’t wait to try it!!
It’s so creamy and DELISH!
Try this using a sous vide cooker. You’ll love it.