Katrina Garcia
@bakerkatrina
Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee
Indulge in the creamy, rich delight of Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee, a classic dessert that combines the smoothness of custard with a perfectly caramelized sugar topping. This elegant treat is perfect for special occasions or a sweet ending to any meal.
Details
- Cuisine:french
- Difficulty:medium
- Estimated Cost:N/A
- Ingredients:7
- Views:2
Recipe Information
- Prep time30 min.
- Cook time45 min.
- Total time75 min.
- Servings8
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup
- 1 1/2 cups
- 2/3 cup
- 1 pinch
- 1 whole, split and scraped
- 6
- 1/4 cup
Cooking Instructions
Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee.
Step 1
Start by preheating your oven to 300°F (150°C) and position an oven rack slightly lower than the center. This will ensure even baking for your custards.
Step 2
In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk, heavy whipping cream, 2/3 cup of sugar, a pinch of salt, and the scraped seeds from the vanilla bean along with the pod itself. Heat this mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it just reaches a boil. Once it does, remove it from the heat and let it cool for about 10 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 3
While the cream mixture cools, take a bowl and whisk the egg yolks until they are slightly thickened. Gradually whisk in the warm cream mixture, starting with just a tablespoon at a time. This gentle approach helps to temper the yolks, preventing them from scrambling. As the yolks warm up, you can increase the amount of cream you add to about 1/4 cup at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition.
Step 4
Once everything is well combined, strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a large measuring cup or bowl to remove any lumps and the spent vanilla pod. Now, it's time to pour this luscious custard into eight 4-ounce ramekins.
Step 5
Place the ramekins in a roasting pan and carefully pour hot water into the pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins. This water bath will help cook the custards gently and evenly, resulting in a silky texture.
Step 6
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the custards are softly set but still have a slight jiggle in the center. Once done, remove the roasting pan from the oven and let the ramekins cool in the water bath until they reach room temperature. After that, transfer them to the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours. These delightful desserts can be stored in the fridge for 2 to 3 days before you add the finishing touch.
Step 7
When you're ready to serve, sprinkle about 1/2 tablespoon of sugar evenly over the top of each chilled custard. Using a kitchen torch, carefully caramelize the sugar until it melts and turns a beautiful golden brown. This should take about a minute, so keep the torch moving to avoid burning the sugar. Let the caramelized topping cool for about 10 minutes before serving, allowing it to harden into a delightful crust.