Parisian Crème Brûlée (Authentic French)
A classic French dessert with a perfectly caramelized sugar crust over velvety vanilla custard, made using the traditional double-boiler method. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 75 minutes layers heavy cream, split vanilla bean, large 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 310 calories and feeds 6, 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 vanilla bean
- 6 large egg yolks
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp caster sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F; place 6 ramekins in a roasting pan and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 cups heavy cream and 1 split vanilla bean in a saucepan over medium heat until simmering (about 5 minutes), then remove from heat and steep for 15 minutes.
- Step 3: Whisk 6 large egg yolks with 3/4 cup granulated sugar until pale yellow; slowly pour in 1.5 cups of the warm vanilla cream while whisking constantly to prevent scrambling.
- Step 4: Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, then divide evenly among ramekins; place pan in oven and fill with hot water halfway up sides.
- Step 5: Bake for 35-40 minutes until set but slightly jiggly in center; cool to room temperature, then refrigerate uncovered for at least 4 hours.
- Step 6: Before serving, sprinkle 2 tbsp caster sugar evenly over each custard surface; caramelize using a kitchen torch until golden brown and bubbling (or broil 6 inches from heat for 1-2 minutes).
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Parisian Crème Brûlée (Authentic French) take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (30 min prep + 45 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 Parisian Crème Brûlée (Authentic French)?
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 Parisian Crème Brûlée (Authentic French)?
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 Parisian Crème Brûlée (Authentic French) for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Parisian Crème Brûlée (Authentic French)?
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
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
