How to Make Vanilla Crème Brûlée

Vanilla Crème Brûlée – rich and creamy vanilla custard topped with gorgeous layer of hard caramel… This make-ahead dessert is easier to make than you would expect and is sure to impress even the toughest critics. 

You know by now that the list of my favourite desserts is quite vast so it will come as no surprise that this Vanilla Crème Brûlée features on it as well. It is one of the desserts I tend to order when eating out as for me it really is the one for special occasions.

Having said that and even though it looks all fancy and impressive it really is super easy to make in the comfort of your own home. 5 ingredients is all it takes to make this fantastic make-ahead dessert, ok 4 if you go with just one type of sugar! And you don’t even need a blow torch (although I must say it is fun to use)!

Few words about ingredients you’ll need to make Vanilla Crème Brûlée

Double/Heavy Cream – I’m afraid there are no substitutes here. Proper, full-fat cream produces the best results and there is no escaping the fact that your diet will have to wait. Although it is a special occasion dessert after all!

Caster Sugar (superfine granulated sugar) – It’s perfect for using here as its fine consistency makes it dissolve quicker although you could use regular granulated sugar if need be.

Vanilla Pod vs Vanilla Extract – I like using vanilla pod here as I think infusing the cream with seeds and the pod itself makes this dessert that bit more special than simply adding vanilla extract. You will also be able to see little vanilla seed specs as you tuck into your dessert. If you are not too fussed about it, 1-1.5 tsp vanilla extract* will work too.  Simply whisk it in together with egg yolks and sugar.

Soft Brown Sugar – I like using it on top of the custard as a final finish as it seems to caramelise quicker but if you don’t have any to hand use superfine (caster) sugar.

Eggs – You will need egg yolks alone for your Vanilla Crème Brûlée and this brings me to a very important question.

What do I do with leftover egg whites? Can I freeze them?

If like me you don’t like food waste, you don’t need to worry. Egg whites freeze beautifully. In fact, I’ve used defrosted egg whites many times in bakes like pavlovas and if I didn’t know that they’ve been previously frozen I would be none the wiser.

The most efficient and clever way of freezing the egg whites is to use an ice cube tray*. This way you know exactly how many egg whites you’ve got and you can defrost them as and when and according with your needs. Simply pour the egg whites into the tray and place it in the freezer. Once frozen you can simply transfer the “egg white cubes” to the plastic bag labeled with the date of freezing. Simples!

Egg whites will keep in the freezer for up to 12 months and should be defrosted in the fridge overnight and brought to the room temperature before whisking.

If you are looking for a recipe you could use the egg whites in try my Double Chocolate Pavlova with Nutella Cream

Equipment you will need for making Vanilla Crème Brûlée

• Whisk, hand mixer or standing mixer with whisk attachment to whisk egg yolks and sugar (and vanilla extract if you decide not to use vanilla pod for infusing the cream).
• Cook’s Blow Torch – I was gifted this Kitchen Craft blow torch* quite a few years ago now and it’s proven quite handy in the kitchen. It is really simple to use too.
• Grill/ Broiler – Lack of the torch shouldn’t put you off as you can simply caramelise sugar until hard under the hot grill/broiler. Make sure you watch it like a hawk though as there is a fine line between caramelised and burnt!
• 6 small Ramekins (140ml / 5oz) – these here* are perfect size for 6 nice portions although you might have noticed I’ve only used 4 larger ramekins (250ml / 1cup) which will work just as well
• Baking/Roasting Tray – You will need one big enough to fit all your ramekins. I use my old and trusted Le Creuset Roaster* with very handy handles. Make sure your tray is not too shallow as you will be baking your Vanilla Crème Brûlée using “bain-marie” (water bath method) where you pour freshly boiled water into the tray approximately half way up the ramekins. This method is perfect for cooking things gently and evenly.

Some things to bare in mind and last minutes tips when making Vanilla Crème Brûlée

Make sure you don’t boil your cream! Quickly take it off the heat just before it gets to that point!

When using vanilla extract instead of the pod, you still need to heat up the cream almost to the boiling point although no straining will be necessary.

When pouring hot cream into your egg yolks make sure to go very slow but at the same time whisk the mixture constantly and really vigorously to prevent the eggs from scrambling!

And remember, even if you overcook your creme brûlées first time around, it’s not the end of the world. They will still be creamy and delicious if slightly more set. Practice makes perfect!

How to Make Vanilla Crème Brûlée – Step-By-Step

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5 from 4 votes

How to Make Vanilla Crème Brûlée

Vanilla Crème Brûlée - rich and creamy vanilla custard topped with gorgeous layer of hard caramel... This make-ahead dessert is easier to make than you would expect and is sure to impress even the toughest critics. 

Course Dessert, Special Occasion

Cuisine French, International

Keyword burnt cream, Crema Catalana, creme brulee, make-ahead dessert, Valentine's Day, vanilla

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Chilling time 4 hours

Total Time 50 minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 418kcal

Author Jo Allison

Ingredients

Metric - US Customary

• 500 ml double cream
• 1 vanilla pod or 1 - 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (see notes below)
• 100 g caster (superfine) sugar
• 5 large egg yolks
• some brown or caster sugar for caramelizing
• fresh berries to serve optional

You will also need 6 small (14ml/5oz) or 4 large (250ml/1cup) ramekins

Instructions

• Cut the vanilla pod open and scrape out the seeds with the knife. Pop them in a medium saucepan together with the pod itself and add cream. Bring the cream almost to the boiling point and quickly take it off the heat. Let the cream infuse with vanilla whilst you prepare the egg yolks.
• Separate egg yolks from the whites (freeze the whites for another time). Whisk yolks with caster sugar until pale in colour and foamy and very slowly start adding the hot cream whilst whisking constantly and vigorously (to prevent the yolks from scrambling).
• Strain the mixture through a fine sieve and distribute evenly between the ramekins.
• Put the ramekins onto the baking dish and fill with hot water to come up half way up their sides. Bake in 150°C/300F/Gas Mark 2 for approx 30 min until the little custards are just set. Keep watching them as you want for the edges to be set with some visible wobble in the middle of your brûlées.  
• Carefully lift the ramekins out of the baking dish and chill really well - minimum 4 hours in the fridge but preferably overnight. Once baked they can stay in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Once chilled sprinkle thin layer of either caster or soft brown sugar and caramelise with blow torch or under the grill until bubbly and brown.
• Wait a few minutes for sugar layer to harden before serving with some fresh berries if you wish.

Notes

• Nutritional information is approximate and should be treated as a guideline only.
• If you are using vanilla extract instead of pod simply add the extract to egg yolks and sugar and whisk together. You will still bring the cream almost to the boiling point and take it quickly off the heat but without the pod, seeds and the need for straining. 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

How to Make Vanilla Crème Brûlée

Amount Per Serving (0 g)

Calories 418 Calories from Fat 306

% Daily Value*

Fat 34g52%

Saturated Fat 20g100%

Cholesterol 276mg92%

Sodium 39mg2%

Potassium 78mg2%

Carbohydrates 23g8%

Sugar 21g23%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 1440IU29%

Vitamin C 0.5mg1%

Calcium 74mg7%

Iron 0.4mg2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Tried this recipe?Tag me @Joskitchenlarder or use hashtag #joskitchenlarder!

Update Notes: This post was originally published on 9 March 2017, but was republished with new recipe card, updated photos, step-by-step process photos,  tips and other useful info in February 2019.

Recipe inspiration: River Cottage Everyday* by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

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