Foolproof Creme Brulee

Thursday, May 19, 2011

The one thing on my to do list this last weekend was learn how to make creme brulee. My dad makes this amazing dessert for special occasions (random Tuesday nights are special occasions, right?) and it is by far my favorite dessert. ever. So Saturday morning I took a class from my dad on how to make easy, no fail creme brulee.
 
The good thing about creme brulee is that it is mostly eggs, perfect for a girl who doesn't really like to eat eggs but has three pet chickens.



This recipe is easy because it only requires four ingredients:

6 egg yokes
1 1/2 cups chilled whipping creme
6 Tbsp white sugar
4 Tbsp dark brown sugar.




First, separate the yolks from the eggs whites. Note from my dad: always use a separate bowl, nothing ruins creme brulee like egg shells



Whisk the yolks together and add sugar and whipping cream.







Lightly butter your ramekins and pour the batter evenly into each





Carefully put each into a oven safe dish (I didn't have anything to fit all four so I used two) and set them in the oven preheated to 375 degrees. Using a pitcher of warm water, fill the dish to half-way up the sides of your creme brulee dishes. This will ensure your it cooks evenly.




Bake for 45 minutes or until you can see the custard part of your creme brulee is set. (It starts to change from looking like water to pudding)




Once these come out of the oven let them cook completely (this will take something like 20 minutes). Cover them with plastic wrap and  put them in the fridge for a few hours. (or longer, we left them overnight) When the custard part of your dessert is cool it is time to add the topping. This recipe uses brown sugar instead of fancy, creme brulee sugar, one of the reasons I like it.




To make to brown sugar bake better for topping put it in the over for 20 minutes or so on a low temperature to dry the moisture out. Once it is dry put the sugar in a plastic bag and roll it with a rolling pin a few times to crush up any lumps and give it an even topping mixture. Lastly, sprinkle it evenly over the creme brulee.



Finally you are ready to broil your final product. I always thought of creme brulee as being cooked with a blow torch but I found out this recipe tells you to put your dessert in the oven, under the broiler to get a more even top.


When you are broiling your creme brulee make sure you don't leave the oven and keep turning the ramekins to get an even crust. it will only take 2 or 3 minutes, don't leave it unattended! (A quick tip, don't do this step more than an hour before you are ready to eat, the sugar will start to get soggy)

Once it fully cooked (the sugar will melt as you watch), take it out and put it back in the fridge to cool back down. Once it is chilled you can eat it!




The only thing you need to keep in mind before you make this is, start a few hours before you want to eat, leave enough time for the custard to bake then chill, then chill again. But overall, these recipe is so easy you can not mess it up, I promise! And oh, so delicious, I may have eaten this one before letting it cool off from the broiler. maybe.

18 comments:

Leslie *Fresh Out of Lemons* said...

I was just trying to think of a good reason to convince my husband that we need a pet chicken; this may be it! Pinning!!

And what a relief that you don't need one of those little flame things. :)

Robin said...

My husband LOVES this dessert. We have a blowtorch and everything.

thatgirlblogs said...

excited to try this!

natasha {schue love} said...

This looks SO good! Lovely photos...definitely enjoyed the step by step!

Sam W. said...

you make it sound very easy! i've never tried making it, but i love eating creme brulee :)

Sincerely, Jill said...

I love creme brulee! Oooo, with fresh raspberries and blackberries. I was an odd child; while all the other kids were ordering chocolate cake, I wanted creme brulee. Thanks for this recipe!

Noodles and Waffles said...

We'll see how foolproof this really is. I'm such a kitchen klutz.

Day-Dreaming Optimist said...

You are my hero, Julie! I have always wanted to try this and alas, I have had no courage (I always figured you needed a blow-torch to burn the top of the crust). You have inspired me!

Amber said...

i have never had creme brulee before but it looks really really good

Corinna said...

Looks so tasty!What a great share.

Alexa said...

Oh one of my favorite desserts! Wish I knew how to make it, or had the time for that matter!
alexa
www.theshortandthesweetofit.com

A Crimson Kiss said...

This sounds amazing, and I never thought it could be so straight forward! YUM!

Kelly said...

You're probably right, and it probably is fool proof. But I'd much rather you just deliver some to me. Sound good? Oh, excellent.

Unknown said...

it turned out beautifully :) i love creme brulee! mmm...hope you don't mind if i come over for your next random tuesday-special occasion-creme brulee-day! :D

Laura said...

Impressive! My dad loves creme brulee too and has actually gotten a blow torch and everything to make his own! I've been meaning to give it a try for some time now, but I'd have to go the broiler method. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

MG said...

My mouth is watering! I better make this asap before my cleanse...aahhh!!!!

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

Thanks Julie!
I'm definitely copying this & filing it in my recipe folder~ YUM*

Bel said...

That looks so delicious!! I love creme brulee and will definitely be trying this out :)

<3 Belly B

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Thanks for the lovely thoughts, I appreciate them all!