Classic Crème Brûlée with Vanilla Bean
Silky-smooth custard topped with a perfectly caramelized sugar crust, made with real vanilla bean for unparalleled flavor. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 70 minutes layers heavy cream, split and seeds scraped vanilla bean, egg yolks into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1, split and seeds scraped vanilla bean
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. In a saucepan, heat 2 cups heavy cream with 1 vanilla bean pod and 1 tsp vanilla seeds over medium heat until steaming, then remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Whisk 4 egg yolks, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt in a bowl until pale yellow. Slowly pour in the warm vanilla cream while whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
- Step 3: Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding the vanilla pod. Divide into 4 ramekins.
- Step 4: Place ramekins in a baking dish and pour in enough hot water to reach halfway up the sides. Bake for 35-40 minutes until set but slightly jiggly in the center.
- Step 5: Remove from oven and cool to room temperature, then refrigerate uncovered for at least 4 hours or overnight. Just before serving, sprinkle 2 tbsp granulated sugar evenly over each custard surface and caramelize with a kitchen torch until golden and bubbly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Classic Crème Brûlée with Vanilla Bean take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (30 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Classic Crème Brûlée with Vanilla Bean?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Classic Crème Brûlée with Vanilla Bean?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Classic Crème Brûlée with Vanilla Bean for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Classic Crème Brûlée with Vanilla Bean?
French desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
