Honey Lavender Crème Brûlée
A silky crème brûlée delicately infused with honey and lavender, capturing the essence of amorous sweetness. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes layers (480 ml) heavy cream, large egg yolks, (85g) honey 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 320 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 (480 ml) heavy cream
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup (85g) honey
- 1 tsp dried culinary lavender
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (50g) for topping granulated sugar
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). In a small saucepan, heat 2 cups heavy cream with 1 tsp dried culinary lavender over medium heat just until it begins to simmer, then remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: In a mixing bowl, whisk 5 large egg yolks with 1/4 cup honey until pale and smooth. Remove lavender from cream by straining through a fine sieve, then slowly pour the warm cream into the yolks while whisking continuously to temper.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract. Divide the mixture evenly into 4 ramekins.
- Step 4: Place ramekins in a deep baking dish and pour hot water halfway up the sides. Bake for 35-40 minutes until custards are just set but still slightly wobbly in the center.
- Step 5: Remove ramekins, chill for at least 2 hours. Before serving, sprinkle 1 tbsp granulated sugar evenly over each and caramelize with a kitchen torch until golden and crisp.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey Lavender Crème Brûlée take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 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 Honey Lavender Crème Brûlée?
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 Honey Lavender Crème Brûlée?
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 Honey Lavender Crème Brûlée 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 Honey Lavender Crème Brûlée?
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.
