Description
An elegant, make-ahead dessert featuring a silky smooth vanilla custard with a crunchy caramelized sugar topping. This simple 5-ingredient recipe is naturally gluten-free and perfect for dinner parties.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 vanilla beans
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for custard)
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- Extra granulated sugar (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Arrange 6-8 ramekins in a large baking dish.
- Pour heavy cream into a saucepan. Slice vanilla beans lengthwise, scrape seeds, and add seeds and pods to the cream.
- Heat cream over medium-low heat until it just starts to simmer (small bubbles around edges). Do not boil.
- Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for 20 minutes to infuse flavor.
- In a medium bowl, whisk egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar vigorously for 2 minutes until pale and thickened. Add salt and whisk again.
- Slowly pour the warm cream into the egg mixture while whisking constantly to temper the eggs. Discard vanilla pods.
- Place a fine-mesh sieve over each ramekin and pour the custard mixture through to strain. Fill ramekins about 3/4 full.
- Place the baking dish in the oven and carefully pour hot water into the dish until it comes halfway up the sides of the ramekins (water bath).
- Bake for 35-45 minutes until edges are set but centers still jiggle slightly like Jell-O.
- Remove ramekins from the water bath and let cool to room temperature.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or ideally overnight.
- Just before serving, sprinkle a thin, even layer of sugar over each custard.
- Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until golden brown and bubbly. Let sit for 1 minute to harden before serving.
Notes
The custard must be thoroughly chilled before torching the sugar to prevent it from melting into the custard. The water bath is crucial for gentle, even cooking. If you don’t have a torch, you can use the oven broiler, but watch closely. This recipe is naturally gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ramekin
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 26
- Sodium: 45
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 17
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Protein: 6
Keywords: vanilla bean creme brulee, dinner party dessert, make ahead dessert, gluten free dessert, easy custard recipe, 5 ingredient dessert