Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée
Classic French dessert with a smooth vanilla custard base and a perfectly caramelized sugar top for an indulgent finish. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 60 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 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 heavy cream
- 1, split and seeds scraped vanilla bean
- 1/2 cup, plus 1 tbsp for caramelizing granulated sugar
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Place 4 ramekins in a baking dish and fill with hot water halfway up the sides.
- Step 2: In a saucepan, heat 2 cups heavy cream and 1 vanilla bean (seeds included) until just simmering, then remove from heat and let steep for 20 minutes.
- Step 3: Whisk 4 egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt in a bowl until pale. Slowly pour the warm cream mixture into the egg mixture while whisking constantly.
- Step 4: Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into the ramekins. Bake for 30-35 minutes until edges are set but center still jiggles slightly.
- Step 5: Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Before serving, sprinkle 1 tbsp granulated sugar evenly over each ramekin and caramelize with a kitchen torch until golden.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (25 min prep + 35 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 Vanilla Bean 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 Vanilla Bean 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 Vanilla Bean 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 Vanilla Bean 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Love how the French come through in every bite.
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
