Best 3 Classic Infused Creme Brulee Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary journey with our classic crème brûlée recipe. This iconic French dessert features a creamy custard base infused with your choice of flavors, topped with a caramelized sugar crust. Experience the perfect balance of velvety custard and crisp caramel with every bite. We also provide variations to elevate your crème brûlée, from aromatic Earl Grey tea to refreshing lemon zest, and even a decadent chocolate infusion. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with these delightful crème brûlée recipes.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

CREME BRULEE



Creme Brulee image

Make Alton Brown's foolproof Creme Brulee recipe, a French classic with vanilla bean and caramelized sugar, from Good Eats on Food Network.

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     dessert

Time 3h30m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 quart heavy cream
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
1 cup vanilla sugar, divided
6 large egg yolks
2 quarts hot water

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Place the cream, vanilla bean and its pulp into a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat, cover and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean and reserve for another use.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup sugar and the egg yolks until well blended and it just starts to lighten in color. Add the cream a little at a time, stirring continually. Pour the liquid into 6 (7 to 8-ounce) ramekins. Place the ramekins into a large cake pan or roasting pan. Pour enough hot water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. 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. Divide the remaining 1/2 cup vanilla sugar equally among the 6 dishes and spread evenly on top. Using a torch, melt the sugar and form a crispy top. Allow the creme brulee to sit for at least 5 minutes before serving.

CLASSIC CRèME BRûLéE



Classic Crème Brûlée image

We prefer turbinado sugar, a slightly refined sugar, for the topping, because it melts easily and forms a crisp, easily shattered cover.

Provided by Gourmet Test Kitchen

Categories     Epi Hall of Fame     Dessert     Milk/Cream     Custard     Vanilla     Valentine's Day     New Year's Eve     Egg

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 cups heavy cream
1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise, or 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
6 large egg yolks
1/3 cup granulated sugar
Pinch of salt
3 tablespoons turbinado sugar, such as Sugar in the Raw
Special Equipment
6 (5-ounce) flameproof ramekins; a small blowtorch

Steps:

  • Put a rack in the middle of oven and preheat oven to 325°F.
  • Pour cream into a 2-quart heavy saucepan. Using tip of a knife, scrape seeds from vanilla bean, if using, into cream and add pod (if using vanilla extract, do not add it yet). Heat cream over moderate heat until hot but not boiling; remove from heat and discard pod.
  • Whisk together yolks, granulated sugar, and salt in a medium bowl until well combined. Add hot cream in a slow stream, whisking constantly until combined. Pour custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl and whisk in vanilla extract, if using. Ladle custard into ramekins.
  • Arrange ramekins in a roasting pan and add enough boiling water to pan to reach halfway up sides of ramekins. Bake until custards are just set, 25 to 30 minutes. With tongs, transfer custards to a rack to cool, then refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 4 hours.
  • Just before serving, sprinkle turbinado sugar evenly over custards. Move blowtorch flame evenly back and forth close to sugar until sugar is caramelized. Let stand until sugar is hardened, 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Variation:
  • Coffee Crème Brûlée: Stir 1 1/2 tablespoons instant espresso powder into the hot cream and proceed as directed.

CLASSIC CREME BRULEE



Classic Creme Brulee image

My favorite dessert is this creme brulee recipe. Recently I was at a party where the guests finished off their own desserts "broiling" the sugar on their portions with a small torch. What a great idea! -Joylyn Trickel, Helendale, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h15m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 5

4 cups heavy whipping cream
9 large egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Brown sugar

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, combine the cream, egg yolks and sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture reaches 160° or is thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. Stir in vanilla. , Transfer to eight 6-oz. ramekins or custard cups. Place cups in a baking pan; add 1 in. of boiling water to pan. Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 25-30 minutes or until centers are just set (mixture will jiggle). Remove ramekins from water bath; cool for 10 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours., One hour before serving, place custards on a baking sheet. Sprinkle each with 1-2 teaspoons brown sugar. Broil 8 in. from the heat for 4-7 minutes or until sugar is caramelized. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 551 calories, Fat 50g fat (29g saturated fat), Cholesterol 402mg cholesterol, Sodium 53mg sodium, Carbohydrate 22g carbohydrate (22g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 6g protein.

Tips

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
  • Make sure to infuse the cream with your desired flavor for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight.
  • Strain the infused cream through a fine-mesh sieve before using to remove any solids.
  • Bake the crème brûlée in a water bath to prevent the custard from curdling.
  • Chill the crème brûlée for at least 4 hours, or overnight, before serving.
  • When torching the sugar crust, use a kitchen torch with a fine-point flame to achieve an even caramelization.

Conclusion

Classic infused crème brûlée is a delicious and elegant dessert that is perfect for special occasions. By following these tips, you can create a perfect crème brûlée that will impress your guests.

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