Vegan CrÈme BrÛlÉe Recipes

EASY VEGAN FLAN (NO-BAKE!)

Steps:

• Start by getting out 4 individual ramekins; ideally they should be 3-4 inches in diameter (at the base) and 2-3 inches deep. Place them within easy reach.
• CARAMEL: Add the coconut sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and water to a medium saucepan and turn on medium-low heat. Set a timer for 3 minutes and stir constantly while cooking - the sugar will dissolve and the mixture should start to bubble vigorously and thicken slightly. Stick with it! If it is only gently bubbling, turn up your heat very slightly. Or if it's smelling burnt at all, turn heat down. As soon as the 3-minute timer goes off, quickly distribute the caramel between your 4 prepared ramekins (~1 heaping tablespoon per ramekin). Set aside.
• CUSTARD: You can rinse the same saucepan with hot water and use it for the custard, or choose another - make sure whatever pan you choose is deep enough to hold 4 cups (950 ml) of boiling liquid.
• Add the salt, cornstarch or arrowroot, agar agar, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the cooled (or room temperature) saucepan and whisk together until few lumps remain. Then add the coconut milk and whisk vigorously until well combined.
• Place the saucepan over high heat, whisking continuously until the mixture comes to a boil. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Then reduce the heat to medium low and set a timer for 2 minutes. Continue whisking until the timer goes off. The mixture will have thickened but should still be quite loose and pourable.
• Carefully distribute the custard between the ramekins, on top of the caramel. Let the flan cool for 5-10 minutes before transferring it to the refrigerator. Refrigerate for 3 hours, uncovered. If chilling for more than 3 hours, cover lightly with foil, leaving room for a bit of ventilation.
• Once set, you can eat your flan straight from the ramekins with a spoon, or carefully remove them by loosening the edges with a butter knife and turning them upside down onto a plate. You may need to shake gently and tap the bottom to help them slip out!
• Best enjoyed the first day, but will keep for up to 3 days lightly covered in the refrigerator. Not freezer friendly.

VEGAN CREME BRULEE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325ºF (160ºC).
• Drain and slightly press the tofu while you prepare the remaining ingredients and tools.
• Prepare 6 ramekins and a shallow brownie baking pan, cutting a piece of parchment to evenly cover the pan.
• Boil a kettle full of water.
• In the bowl of a food processor, combine the tofu, sugar, vanilla, soy milk and salt.
• Once smooth, whisk in the arrowroot with the motor running.
• Pour prepared custard into the ramekins and distribute them into the baking pan.
• Carefully pour the boiling water from the kettle into the bottom of the pan so the water comes 2/3 of the way up the sides of the ramekins; taking care not to splash water into the custard.
• Cover the pan with the parchment paper and slowly transfer everything into the oven.
• Bake for about 45-50 minutes or until set. The centers may have a slight jiggle, but well set more as they cool.
• Remove the ramekins from the water and transfer to the refrigerator to cool completely, about an hour.
• To brûlée the custards, sprinkle enough sugar to evenly coat each top (about 1 tsp). Using a hand held blowtorch, pass the tip of the flame over the sugar until it begins to turn amber and caramelize.
• Once finished, the caramel should be thin, crisp and crackly.
• Bon Appetit!