Creme Brulee Recipe Food Network

THE BEST CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 300 degrees F. Line a large heavy roasting pan (a turkey roasting pan works great) with a clean kitchen towel and place 4 six-ounce ramekins on top of the towel spaced a few inches apart.
• Heat the cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Using the back of a paring knife, scrape the vanilla seeds from both halves of the pod. Add the seeds and pod to the cream. Whisk in the salt and 3 tablespoons of the sugar and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat.
• Vigorously whisk the yolks and 3 more tablespoons of the sugar in a large bowl until pale yellow and very thick and creamy, about 2 minutes. Alternatively, you can use an electric mixer on high speed and beat until pale yellow and very thick and creamy, about 1 minute.
• Whisking the yolks constantly, add a couple of teaspoons at a time from 1 cup of the hot cream, then increase to a steady stream until the cream is fully incorporated. (Don't pour too much hot cream at once or you'll end up with scrambled eggs.) The yolks are now tempered. Whisk the tempered yolks back into the remaining hot cream until combined. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a large measuring cup or medium pitcher for easier pouring; discard the vanilla pods.
• Skim the foam off the top of the custard by placing a clean paper towel on top and lightly pressing down so it touches the surface and absorbs some of the liquid. This will make for a completely smooth and silky custard. Fill the ramekins with the custard, about 3/4 cup per ramekin.
• Carefully pour boiling water into the roasting pan halfway up the sides of the ramekins without getting any water in the custard. Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake until the custard is set around the edges but still has a slight jiggle in the center, 35 to 45 minutes. Carefully remove the roasting pan from the oven and transfer the ramekins to a wire rack to cool for 30 minutes. Then refrigerate until very cold, about 3 hours.
• Just before serving, evenly spread 1 tablespoon of the sugar over the top of a custard. Hold a kitchen torch 2 inches above the surface. Starting in the center of the ramekin, move the flame in a circular motion and work your way out to the edges to caramelize the sugar. Repeat with the remaining sugar and custards.
• Alternatively, arrange a rack in the top position of the oven and heat the broiler on high. Place the ramekins on a rack set inside a baking sheet and broil until deep golden brown, 15 to 60 seconds, checking every 10 seconds.
• Freeze the custards for 5 minutes before serving (see Cook's Note).

CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. In a medium saucepan cook the cream with the vanilla bean and salt over moderate heat until the surface begins to shimmer.
• In a large heatproof bowl, blend the egg yolks and granulated sugar with a wooden spoon. Slowly add the hot cream mixture, stirring gently. Strain the custard into a large measuring cup; skim off any bubbles.
• Arrange 8 shallow 4 1/2-inch wide ramekins in a roasting pan (see note). Slowly pour the custard into the ramekins, filling them almost to the top. Set the roasting pan in the center of the oven and carefully pour in enough hot water to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Cover the pan loosely with foil and bake for about 1 hour, or until the custards are firm at the edges, but still a bit wobbly in the center.
• Transfer the ramekins to a wire rack to cool completely. Cover and refrigerate until cold, at least 3 hours or up to 2 days.
• Preheat the broiler. Set the ramekins on a baking sheet and blot the surfaces of the custards to remove any condensation. Using a small sieve, sift 2 teaspoons of the turbinado sugar over each custard in a thin, even layer. Broil the custards as close to the heat as possible until the sugar is evenly caramelized, 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Let cool slightly and serve at once.

PB&J CRèME BRûLéE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Spread 2 teaspoons of the strawberry jam in the bottom of each of 6 round or oval 6-ounce crème brûlée ramekins. Arrange the strawberries, slightly shingled, in a layer on top of the jam. Place the ramekins in a large roasting pan or rimmed sheet tray.
• Bring the cream, peanut butter, salt and 1/3 cup of the granulated sugar to a simmer in a saucepan, stirring often. Add the scraped vanilla bean and stir to combine. Place the yolks and remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Temper the yolks with about 1/4 cup of the warm cream mixture and whisk to combine, then add the warm egg mixture to the saucepan to fully temper.
• Using a ladle, divide the cream mixture among the ramekins, filling each about three-quarters full. Place the roasting pan in the oven and add enough warm water to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake until the centers are set, about 45 minutes.
• Carefully transfer the ramekins to a sheet tray and let cool completely at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
• When ready to serve, sprinkle the tops with just enough of the turbinado sugar to cover in a thin, even layer. Shake off any excess. Torch the sugar with a brûlée or kitchen blowtorch until melted and lightly caramelized. Carefully transfer to plates and serve.

CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a large bowl, cream together egg yolks and sugar with a whisk until the mixture is pale yellow and thick.
• Pour cream into a medium saucepan over low heat. Using a paring knife, split the vanilla bean down the middle, scrape out the seeds and add them to saucepan. Bring cream to a brief simmer, do not boil or it will overflow. Remove from heat and temper the yolks by gradually whisking the hot vanilla cream into yolk and sugar mixture. Do not add hot cream too quickly or the eggs will cook.
• Divide custard into 6 (6-ounce) ramekins, about 3/4 full. Place ramekins in a roasting pan and fill pan with enough water to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake until barely set around the edges, about 40 minutes. You may want to cover loosely with foil to prevent browning. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature. Transfer the ramekins to the refrigerator and chill for 2 hours. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar on top of each chilled custard. Hold a kitchen torch 2 inches above surface to brown the sugar and form a crust. Garnish with cookies and fresh fruit. Serve at once.
• Variation: Before dividing into ramekins: add 3 ounces of shaved dark chocolate for chocolate creme brulee; add 4 slices of crystallized ginger for ginger creme brulee; add 3 slices of orange peel for orange creme brulee. Let steep 20 minutes to infuse the flavor. Strain out the ginger and orange peel before baking.

CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Pour the cream into a saucepan over medium-low heat. Scrape the vanilla caviar from the vanilla bean and add it to the cream (or add the vanilla extract if using instead). Bring almost to the boil, and then turn off the heat.
• Place the egg yolks in a large bowl and add 3/4 cup sugar. With a whisk, mix the eggs and sugar together. Now, break out your elbow grease and take a deep breath. You're going to need to whisk the mixture like crazy for 3 or 4 minutes, until it's very light yellow in color.
• Place a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl. Pour the hot cream into the bowl through the strainer.
• To temper the egg mixture, very slowly drizzle 1 cup of the hot cream into the egg/sugar mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from cooking. Continue adding the rest of the hot cream to the bowl very slowly, whisking constantly. You can add the cream a little more rapidly as the mixture warms.
• Place ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet and ladle in the custard until the ramekins are three-quarters full.
• Place the baking sheet inside the oven, and then pour water into the baking sheet until it reaches two-thirds of the way up the ramekins.
• Bake until the custard is set but not brown, 35 to 40 minutes, watching carefully to avoid browning.
• Remove the ramekins and allow to cool. Refrigerate the custards, covered, for at least 2 hours or overnight.
• When you are ready to serve the dessert, sprinkle the top of each custard generously with superfine sugar. Use a kitchen torch to burn the sugar to a crisp, working quickly to avoid cooking the custard below. (You may also place the ramekins on a pan and put them right under the broiler, but you have to be careful not to affect the custard below.)
• Serve immediately with spoons.

CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the egg, egg yolks, and 1/2 cup of the sugar together on low speed until just combined. Meanwhile, scald the cream in a small saucepan until it's very hot to the touch but not boiled. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the cream to the eggs. Add the vanilla and orange liqueur and pour into 6 to 8-ounce ramekins until almost full.
• Place the ramekins in a baking pan and carefully pour boiling water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the custards are set when gently shaken. Remove the custards from the water bath, cool to room temperature, and refrigerate until firm.
• To serve, spread 1 tablespoon of sugar evenly on the top of each ramekin and heat with a kitchen blowtorch until the sugar carmelizes evenly. Allow to sit at room temperature for a minute until the caramelized sugar hardens.

CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• In a large bowl cream together egg yolks and 3/4 cup sugar with a whisk till pale yellow and thick.
• Pour creme into medium saucepan over low heat.
• Bring cream to a brief simmer, do not boil and add vanilla.
• Remove from heat and temper the egg mixture by adding 1/2 cup of cream at a time while continuously whisking to keep eggs from cooking.
• Keep whisking till all cream is added.
• divide into six 6-oz ramikins about 3/4 way full.
• Place ramekins in roasting pan and add water to pan till about 1/2 way up sides of ramikins.
• Bake till barely set around the edges, 40 minute.
• If starts to brown place a piece of foil on top.
• Remove from heat and let cool at room temperature.
• Transfer ramekins to fridge.
• Chill for about 2 hours.
• Sprinkle each w/ 1 tbsp sugar, hold a kitchen torch 2 inches over surface and use just long enough to brown the sugar.
• Garnish with fruit, raspberry sauce, cookies-- whatever--and serve immediately.

CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F.
• In top of double boiler over hot water, heat cream, vanilla bean and sugar to almost boiling.
• Lower heat and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Beat eggs and egg yolks.
• Pour cream mixture in a thin stream into eggs, stirring constantly.
• Return to double boiler.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, for 3 to 4 minutes or until custard coats back of spoon.
• Remove vanilla bean.
• Pour into 6 custard dishes or 4 to 5 cup flame proof serving dish.
• Set dishes in a large pan of hot water on middle rack of oven.
• (Hot water should be level with custard.) Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until center of custard is set. Remove custard from water and cool.
• Cover and chill.
• To serve, sift brown sugar on top of creme. Place dish into bowl of crushed ice. Leaving door open, place under broiler at least 6" from flame until hard crust of caramelized sugar is formed.
• Serve immediately or chill until serving time. Pass bowl of fresh raspberries along with creme for the perfect topping.
• Add a spoonful of whipped creme to the custard, if desired.
• VARIATIONS, FLAVORED CREME BRULEE:.
• Vanilla Bean:.
• Add 1 pod for 3 cups of cream.
• Break it open lengthwise or simply pierce it, and put it into liquid before it boils.
• Chocolate:.
• Add 4 1/2 oz cooking chocolate for each 3 cups of cream, melted in warm liquid.
• Praline:.
• Add 4 1/2oz pralines to each 3 cups of cream after it is cooked.
• Nuts:.
• Add 1 cup finely chopped pecans or brazil nuts for 3 cups cream after it is cooled.
• Coffee:.
• Use 3 oz coffee beans (Espresso, French Roast, etc -- ) finely ground, then grilled in a pan of 3 cups cream.
• Add to boiling liquid; infuse for 15 minutes, then strain.
• Bananas:.
• Mash 2 soft bananas; saute in 1 tbsp butter.
• Add 2 tbsp brandy and 2 tsp brown sugar.
• Cook for 5 minutes.
• Pat down on bottom of creme brulee pan before adding liquid.
• NOTES :.
• Use a double boiler to scald the cream unless you have a heavy saucepan. Use very low heat. Milk scorches easily and, when scorched, should be thrown out.
• Beat eggs or egg yolks with a wire whisk or beater. Add sugar gradually and continue whipping until it is thoroughly mixed inches.
• NEVER add eggs directly to a hot mixture. (unless you like scrambled eggs in cream.) Pour some of the hot liquid into the eggs while stirring briskly, then return the warmed combination to the remaining hot liquid in the pan.
• Stir the custard constantly over low heat until it acquires body. Test it by letting it run off the back of a spoon; if a light coating clings to the spoon, the custard is finished.
• Stir the custard occasionally as it cools to prevent a surface skin from forming. When it is cool, chill it, covered lightly with a clean dish towel, in the refrigerator.

LEMON CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325. From lemons, remove 6 strips peel (3"by 1" each)and squeeze 3 tablespoons juice.
• In 1-quart saucepan, heat cream, cinnamon stick, and lemon peel over med.-high heat just until simmering. Remove saucepan from heat;cover and let stand 15 minutes.(Cream will develop a thin skin on top;whisk in when mixing into egg yolks.) Remove cinnamon stick and lemon peel;discard.
• In large bowl, with whisk or fork, beat egg yolks, 1/3 cup sugar, and salt until blended.Whisk for one minute(you don't want it to be grainy from the sugar, it should be smooth)Beat in warm cream mixture and lemon juice. Pour custard in six 3-oz. broiler safe ramekins or custard cups.
• Place ramekins in 13"by9" baking pan,carefully pour boiling water into baking pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or just until set (mixture will still be slightly soft in center). Remove ramekins from baking pan; cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or until well chilled.
• Up to 4 hours before serving, preheat broiler. In small bowl, combine cinnamon and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. Sprinkle tops of chilled custards with sugar mixture.
• Place ramekins on cookie sheet. Place cookie sheet with ramekins in broiler at closest position to source of heat and broil 1 to 2 minutes until sugar melts and browns slightly. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 4 hours. If not served within 4 hours, sugar topping will lose its crispness.

GRAND MARNIER CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Combine egg yolks with sugar, Grand Marnier and vanilla.
• Heat cream to boiling. Temper egg mixture with cream - add slowly, stirring constantly. Do not create foam. Use a wooden spoon.
• Pour into individual ramekins.
• Put a towel in the bottom of a roasting pan. Place the ramekins on the towels and then add hot water about half way up the sides of the ramekins.
• Loosely cover pan with foil.
• Bake in a water bath in a 300 degree oven for 20 - 25 minutes or until just set. (ovens vary so check for it to be just set) Do not overcook.
• Remove from oven and water bath and chill until ready to serve.
• Just before serving, sprinkle sugar over the tops of the creme brulee and caramelize with a torch of under a broiler.

CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat cream in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks and granulated sugar. Add in vanilla.
• While stirring continuously, gradually pour cream mixture into egg mixture until well mixed.
• Pour the mixture through a sieve.
• Evenly pour the mixture into eight 2 oz.sized ramekins.
• Set ramekins into a large pan enough to fit all 8 ramekins. Fill the pan with hot water until it comes up to about halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
• Bake for 18 minutes or until the sides are set and the center is hardly jiggling.
• Let cool on wire racks then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• Before serving, sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of brown sugar onto each of the ramekins then caramelize with a torch.

STRAWBERRY CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Place 8 (1 cup) ramekins in a large roasting pan; fill roasting pan with enough hot water to come halfway up sides of ramekins. The hot water keeps the humidity up in the oven, preventing the custards from cracking.
• In a large bowl, whisk together yolks and vanilla until combined, set aside.
• In a large saucepan, over medium heat, bring cream and 3/4 cup sugar to a simmer, whisking frequently; remove pan from heat and stir in white chocolate until melted. Slowly whisk hot cream into yolks until well combined. Evenly sprinkle strawberries into each ramekin and then slowly pour cream into each ramekin, over the strawberries, using a ladle. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until just set.
• Transfer ramekins to a wire rack and cool 30 minutes before transferring to refrigerator to chill completely; about 2 hours. When ready to serve, sprinkle a teaspoon of sugar over each custard, caramelize the top surface using a kitchen torch and serve with strawberries on the side. If you don't have a torch, place ramekins on a baking sheet. Broil for one to two minutes in the oven, until sugar caramelizes, but does not burn.

EASY CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
• Whisk the cream, egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla extract together in a bowl. Mix it all up until it gets nice and creamy.
• Pour this mixture into 4 ramekins (those little ceramic dishes).
• Place the ramekins in a baking pan. Fill the baking pan with hot water, about halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Place the pan with the ramekins in the oven for 45 minutes to an hour or so. After 45 minutes or so check them every ten minutes. You'll know they're done when you can stick a knife in one and it comes out clean.
• Remove the ramekins from the baking pan, set them on the counter, and let them cool for 15 minutes or so.
• Sprinkle a thin layer of the light brown sugar on the top of each. Make sure it's a THIN layer, but also make sure it completely covers the custard. Now torch it! Or, if you don't have a torch, you can put them under the broiler for a minute or so.

PERFECT CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Move a rack to the bottom of the oven.
• Whisk the egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla together in a stainless steel bowl until smooth. Bring the cream just to a simmer in a saucepan over medium-low heat; pour into the egg yolk mixture, whisking continually until combined.
• Bring a couple of inches of water to a simmer in an oven-safe saucepan over medium low heat; set the bowl with the cream mixture over the saucepan to form a double boiler.
• Place the entire double boiler into the preheated oven; bake until the mixture sets, about 30 minutes.
• Chill in refrigerator 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
• Combine the brown sugar with 2 tablespoons of white sugar in a bowl; sprinkle evenly over the cold creme.
• Heat under the preheated broiler until the sugar melts and browns, 2 to 3 minutes; return immediately to the refrigerator and chill until the sugar is set, about 15 minutes.

CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Beat egg yolks, 4 tablespoons white sugar and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl until thick and creamy.
• Pour cream into a saucepan and stir over low heat until it almost comes to boil. Remove the cream from heat immediately. Stir cream into the egg yolk mixture; beat until combined.
• Pour cream mixture into the top pan of a double boiler. Stir over simmering water until mixture lightly coats the back of a spoon, about 3 minutes. Remove mixture from heat immediately and pour into a shallow heat-proof dish.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
• Preheat oven to broil.
• In a small bowl combine remaining 2 tablespoons white sugar and brown sugar. Sift this mixture evenly over custard. Place dish under broiler until sugar melts, about 2 minutes. Watch carefully so as not to burn.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool. Refrigerate until custard is set again.

BAILEY'S CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Combine the heavy cream, Bailey's Irish Cream, vanilla and half the brown sugar in a heavy -bottomed saucepan. Bring just to a simmer.
• Combine the egg yolks and rest of sugar in a a bowl. Temper them into the warm cream by adding a little cream to the egg mixture, stirring constantly.
• When combined, add a bit more, and so on until warmed through.
• When warm, add the entire egg mixture to the cream, and cook just until it begins to thicken. Do not exceed 175 degrees.
• Fill custard cups 3/4 full and bake at 325 degree in a water bath until they turn gelatinous.
• Remove from water bath and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
• To serve: Sprinkle combined sugar over custard and burn with a torch, or place under a broiler until caramel brown.