Easy Creme Brulee

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This 4 ingredient Easy Creme Brulee is a super rich and creamy custard recipe that is topped with a thin layer of crisp sugary caramel that is so fun to crack with a spoon, then you get to devour it! Ohhhh…it’s soooo good and so much fun!

From then on, each bite is a combo of crunchy topping and smooth custard. Enjoy even more stunning custard desserts like this Easy Sugar Cream Pie, Chocolate Heaven Magic Custard Cake and this Easy Apple Bread Pudding!

how to make creme brulee

This elegant, crowd-pleasing dessert is amazing served chilled and the perfect after dinner dessert when you want to impress a small gathering of friends or go all out for the holidays!

how to make creme brulee

What is Creme Brûlée?

Creme brûlée is made of egg yolks, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla!  That’s it!  4 ingredients of bliss!

Creme Brûlée is a dessert made up of a rich custard base topped with a crackled shell of burnt sugar, easily made with egg yolks, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla!  It’s normally served chilled and is warmed slightly with the creme Brûlée torch that is used to caramelize the sugar topping.  Perfect when hosting and showing off your amazing torching skills!

My favorite part is the sugary caramel topping and tapping it with the spoon!  It adds a slight burnt sugar flavor and crunch to the light and creamy custard that is so heavenly!  OH MY GAWD!

It’s hard not to fall in love with this easy creme brulee recipe and it is definitely a great make-ahead dessert!  Add some fresh fruit, whipped cream and shaved chocolate for some lovely garnishes!

creamy custard

Only 4 Ingredients Needed

How to Make Easy Creme Brulee Recipe

  1. In a small saucepan, heat cream over medium heat until hot to scald the milk. Small bubbles will appear just along the edge of the pan. Remove hot milk from heat.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk together egg yolks, ⅓ cup sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl.
  3. Gradually add the hot cream to the egg yolk mixture a little at a time, whisking well after each addition. To make sure there is no cooked egg in your custard, you can pour the cooked custard into a fine strainer, but there shouldn’t be much if you were whisking well. Pour strained mixture into a pourable container and pour custard into ramekins.
  4. Place filled ramekins in a large baking dish and fill the baking dish with hot water so that it comes ¾ of the way up the sides of the ramekins. Be careful not to get any water in the custard!
  5. Bake at 325 degrees F for 30-45 minutes. Baking times will depend on how deep the custard is in the ramekins. (Smaller ramekins for shorter baking time and deeper custard for longer baking time). The top will appear set but underneath it will still jiggle.
  6. Cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for at least 2 hours until chilled. Make ahead, refrigerate up to 3 days.
  7. Sprinkle each custard with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and torch or broil just until caramelized. Serve immediately or chill to serve later.
  8. Garnish with fresh fruits, whipped cream or shaved chocolate.

Creme Brûlée

How to Torch Creme Brulee

Using a butane torch is the ideal way to create the crisp sugar caramel brulee topping, that makes this custard over the top! Hold the torch about 2-3 inches away from the surface until the sugar melts to a yummy caramel crunch on top.

How to Broil Creme Brulee

If you do not have a kitchen torch, you can also brulee the caramel topping by placing the ramekins under a broiler. Be sure to keep a close eye on the desserts while they are broiling, as they can quickly go from golden brown to burnt.

how to make creme brulee

How to Store Easy Creme Brulee & Make in Advance

Creme Brulee will last a few hours to up to 3 days in the fridge.  It is best to cover it with plastic wrap or in an airtight container.  When ready to serve, just brulee the sugar on top and serve this gorgeous dessert!

Easy 4 Ingredient Creme BruleeYou often see creme brulee on the dessert menu in restaurants, because it’s so popular and such a special treat! But you can make it at home and why not? This is such an easy creme brulee recipe, give it a try!

More Entertaining Delish Desserts!

 

Creme Brûlée

Easy Creme Brulee

Kim Lange
This 4 ingredient Easy Creme Brulee is a super rich and creamy custard recipe that is topped with a thin layer of crisp and crunchy sugary caramel that is so fun to crack with a spoon, then you get to devour it!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 4 Regular Sized Ramekins
Calories

Ingredients
 
 

Creme Brulee Recipe

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 4 egg yolks
  • cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Caramelized Sugar

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar for sugary caramel topping

Instructions
 

How to Make Creme Brulee Recipe

  • In a small saucepan, heat cream over medium heat until hot to scald the milk. Small bubbles will appear just along the edge of the pan. Remove hot milk from heat.
  • Meanwhile, whisk together egg yolks, ⅓ cup sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl.
  • Gradually add the hot cream to the egg yolk mixture a little at a time, whisking well after each addition. To make sure there is no cooked egg in your custard, you can pour the cooked custard into a fine strainer, but there shouldn't be much if you were whisking well. Pour strained mixture into a pourable container and pour custard into ramekins.
  • Place filled ramekins in a large baking dish and fill the baking dish with hot water so that it comes ¾ of the way up the sides of the ramekins. Be careful not to get any water in the custard!
  • Bake at 325 degrees F for 30-45 minutes. Baking times will depend on how deep the custard is in the ramekins. (Smaller ramekins for shorter baking time and deeper custard for longer baking time). The top will appear set but underneath it will still jiggle.
  • Cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for at least 2 hours until chilled. Make ahead refrigerate up to 3 days.

How to Get Caramelized Sugar

  • Sprinkle each custard with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and torch or broil just until caramelized. Serve immediately or chill to serve later.
  • Garnish with fresh fruits, whipped cream or shaved chocolate.
Keyword creme brulee, custard, eggs, heavy cream, party dessert, pudding
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Recipe slightly adjusted from The Recipe Critic

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