Ingredients
For the puff pastry sticks
Method
- STEP 1
Heat oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 1. Put the cream, milk and vanilla pod into a pan and heat to boiling point. Cover and leave to infuse for 10 mins. Whisk the egg yolks and 3 tbsp of sugar together until pale and thick. Add the vanilla extract and pour the boiling cream onto the mixture. Stir well, then pour into two ramekins. Place the ramekins in a bain marie and cook in the oven for about 40 mins or until just set. Leave to cool.
- STEP 2
Heat the grill. Sprinkle the cold brûlée with a thin, even layer of sugar, and caramelise under the very hot grill (or use a blowtorch). Repeat several times until you have a golden crackling topping. Leave to cool and serve within 2 hrs with warm almond puff pastry sticks (see below).
ALMOND PUFF PASTRY STICKS
Heat oven to
190c/170C fan/
gas 5. Roll out
half a sheet of puff
pastry to 3mm
thickness, brush
with half a beaten
egg and sprinkle
with finely
chopped almonds.
Using a long
sharp knife, cut
strips of pastry
12mm wide and
10cm long. Twist
5 times and place
on a baking sheet.
Bake until
golden and crisp,
then dust with
icing sugar and
serve warm with
the crème brûlée.
Recipe from Good Food magazine, January 2011
FAQs
Vanilla creme brulee custard is rich and creamy, with a sweet custardy flavor.
How to stop vanilla seeds sinking in crème brûlée? ›
1 Answer. If you modify the instructions so that you make a custard BEFORE pouring the liquid into the ramekins, this will help to suspend the vanilla seeds in the mixture so they do not just fall to the bottom.
Why is my crème brûlée not setting up? ›
This is most likely due to underbaking. Creme Brulee is perfectly baked when it is set and firm around the edges but still has a wobble / jiggle in the middle when shaken. Additionally, it is important to chill thoroughly, ideally overnight, before diving in.
Where did vanilla creme brulee come from? ›
Just like with most renowned desserts, everyone claims they were the “first” to create the classic crème brûlée. France, Spain, and England all claim it originated there. There was a similar burned-sugar dessert back in 15th century England, and Spain has its own version that dates all the way back to medieval times.
What's the difference between crème brûlée and vanilla custard? ›
The main difference between the two is that creme brulee is topped with a layer of sugar that caramelizes under a broiler or torch, resulting in a crunchy, burnt sugar topping. Egg custard does not have this additional layer of sugar, but some recipes call for a dusting of nutmeg or cinnamon.
Why is crème brûlée so good? ›
Creme brulee is so well loved, you'll find it on menus of fine restaurants all over the planet. It is rich and elegant. The shiny, crisp, burnt sugar surface is ceremoniously cracked with the edge of spoon. The thin layer of caramel shatters and gives way to an incredibly creamy custard with a silky texture.
How do you mess up crème brûlée? ›
Avoid These Common Mistakes and Make a Flawless Crème Brûlée
- Using the Wrong Size Ramekin. Crème brûlée is traditionally baked in a wide, shallow ramekin. ...
- Using Whole Eggs. The pudding portion of crème brûlée should be trembling and tender, but still rich and creamy. ...
- Getting Water in the Pudding. ...
- Torching the Wrong Sugar.
Why do you add vanilla at the end of a recipe? ›
A: Vanilla extract is made largely of alcohol which, when boiled, will burn off, taking with it much of the vanilla flavor. That's why it is recommended to stir the vanilla in at the end, after the pudding has been taken off the heat, to preserve the vanilla flavor.
What makes crème brûlée curdle? ›
If the heat is too intense, the egg protein sets up quite rigid and can quickly curdle over the stovetop, or may become too firm after baking in the oven—low and slow is the key. The final texture of crème brûlée is soft-set, similar to the texture of Greek yogurt, not a firm custard like flan.
Can you overmix crème brûlée? ›
Overbeating crème brûlée compromises texture
Unlike flan, the crème beneath the caramel shouldn't jiggle; Unlike clafoutis, there's no place for airiness or texture, except for that crunchy top surface.
Bake just until the creme brulee is set, but still trembling in the center, approximately 40 to 45 minutes. Remove the ramekins from the roasting pan and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 3 days. Remove the creme brulee from the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes prior to browning the sugar on top.
Does crème brûlée taste like vanilla? ›
Creme brulees combine the sweetness of a velvety custard with the bitter-sweet crunch of caramelized sugar. Depending on the composition of the custard base, your creme brulee can be soft and thick or light-textured. One universal feature of the dessert regardless of how it is made, is its rich vanilla flavor.
What is the English version of crème brûlée? ›
Crème brûlée or crème brulée (/ˌkrɛm bruːˈleɪ/; French: [kʁɛm bʁy. le]), also known as burnt cream or Trinity cream, and virtually identical to crema catalana, is a dessert consisting of a rich custard base topped with a layer of hardened caramelized sugar.
What does "creme brulee" mean in French? ›
In French, crème brûlée means "burnt cream." Some 300 years after Chef Massialot, the dessert is definitely an important part of the country's cuisine having a National Crème Brûlée Day celebrated every July 27th.
What flavor is similar to creme brulee? ›
Crème brûlée and flan share a lot of similarities. They are both baked custards that typically contain milk or cream, eggs, and sugar.
What does creme brulee taste like Starbucks? ›
Our medium roast meets the rich, custardy flavors of vanilla and the caramel complexity of burnt sugar. We invite you to enjoy this deliciously sippable take on classic crème brûlée. From velvety and rich vanilla to nutty and toasty hazelnut, Starbucks® Flavored Coffees are perfect for everyday enjoyment.
What does vanilla crème taste like? ›
What is the flavor profile of Starbucks Vanilla Crème? Starbucks Vanilla Crème is a rich and creamy beverage with a smooth vanilla flavor. It is made with a blend of high-quality ingredients, including vanilla syrup, steamed milk, and a dollop of whipped cream on top.