Burnt caramel custards, also known as crème brûlée, are a classic French dessert that is both elegant and delicious. The combination of the smooth, creamy custard and the crisp, caramelized sugar topping is truly irresistible. While this dessert may seem intimidating, it is actually quite easy to make at home. With a few simple ingredients and a little patience, you can create a burnt caramel custard that will impress your friends and family.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
BURNT-CARAMEL CUSTARDS
Provided by Amanda Hesser
Categories Milk/Cream Egg Dessert Bake Vanilla Fall Bon Appétit Kidney Friendly Vegetarian Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Makes 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 300°F. Place cream in a medium saucepan; scrape in seeds from vanilla bean and add pod. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat; set aside.
- Bring 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Boil, swirling pan occasionally and brushing down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush, until mixture turns a deep amber color, about 4 minutes; remove caramel from heat.
- Remove vanilla pod from cream; discard. Slowly add cream to caramel (mixture will bubble vigorously). Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Whisk egg yolks, kosher salt, and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a large bowl. Slowly stream in caramel cream, whisking constantly. Divide custard among eight 6-ounce ramekins or ovenproof bowls and place in a kitchen towel-lined large baking dish or roasting pan. Fill pan with water to come halfway up sides of ramekins. Bake until custard is just set but still jiggly in the center, 60-70 minutes. Remove ramekins from baking dish; place on a wire rack and let cool. Chill custards, uncovered, at least 3 hours.
- Top custards with whipped cream and sprinkle with sea salt.
- DO AHEAD: Custards can be made 2 days ahead; cover and keep chilled.
BURNT CUSTARD
The recipe for this smooth-as-silk custard came from a local restaurant years ago. With its broiled topping it looks pretty in individual cups. -Heidi Main, Anchorage, Alaska
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h10m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar. In a small saucepan, heat cream over medium heat until bubbles form around sides of pan. Remove from the heat; stir a small amount of hot cream into egg yolk mixture. Return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Stir in vanilla., Transfer to six 6-oz. broiler-safe ramekins or custard cups. Place cups in a baking pan; add 1 in. of boiling water to pan. Bake, uncovered, at 300° for 30-35 minutes or until centers are just set (mixture will jiggle). Remove ramekins from water bath; cool for 10 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours., Before serving, let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining sugar. Broil 8 in. from the heat for 2-4 minutes or until sugar is caramelized. If desired, garnish with fresh raspberries.,
Nutrition Facts : Calories 399 calories, Fat 33g fat (19g saturated fat), Cholesterol 250mg cholesterol, Sodium 35mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (23g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 3g protein.
CARAMEL CUSTARD
My husband and I have enjoyed this simple custard recipe many times, especially after a Tex-Mex meal. In fact, I've made it so often I don't even look at the recipe. See if it doesn't become a regular favorite at your house.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 55m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- In a large heavy saucepan, cook and stir 3/4 cup sugar over low heat until sugar is melted and golden. Pour into eight 6-oz. custard cups, tilting to coat bottom of cup; let stand for 10 minutes. , In a large bowl, beat the eggs, milk, vanilla and remaining sugar until blended but not foamy. Pour over caramelized sugar. , Place the cups in two 8-in. square baking pans. Pour very hot water in pans to a depth of 1 in. Bake at 350° until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 40-45 minutes. Remove from pans to cool on wire racks. , To unmold, run a knife around rim of cup and invert onto dessert place. Serve warm or chilled.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 259 calories, Fat 7g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 172mg cholesterol, Sodium 92mg sodium, Carbohydrate 42g carbohydrate (41g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 8g protein.
BAKE-AHEAD CARAMEL CUSTARDS
Caramel flatters creamy custard in these bake-ahead treats. Making caramel is easy: Stir together a sugar syrup; simmer until golden; and stir in half-and-half.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Set a kettle of water to boil.
- Make caramel: In a medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Cook over medium-high, stirring, until sugar has dissolved. Continue to cook, without stirring, until syrup turns golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Carefully add half-and-half (mixture may clump and sputter); simmer, stirring constantly, until smooth. Remove from heat.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, vanilla, and salt until pale yellow and thick. Stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, gradually add caramel. Skim any foam from surface of custard mixture.
- Divide mixture among six 6-ounce ramekins or custard cups. Line a baking pan (just large enough to hold ramekins) with a dish towel; place ramekins on dish towel. Transfer to oven, and pour enough boiling water into pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins; cover pan loosely with foil.
- Bake custards just until set but slightly wobbly, 40 to 45 minutes. Carefully remove ramekins from pan. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours (or, covered, up to 3 days). Garnish with toffee before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 360 g, Fat 20 g, Protein 7 g
BURNT CARAMEL PUDDING
Provided by Amanda Hesser
Categories Milk/Cream Egg Dessert Bake Christmas Cocktail Party Easter Hanukkah Valentine's Day Oscars Mother's Day Wedding New Year's Eve Vanilla Birthday Shower Chill Christmas Eve Engagement Party Party Ramekin Kidney Friendly Vegetarian Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Serves 4
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- 1. Heat the oven to 300°F.
- 2. Pour the cream into a small saucepan. Split the vanilla bean and scrape the seeds into the cream; toss the scraped pod in there too. Turn the heat to low to gently warm the cream.
- 3. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the sugar. Pour the remaining sugar and the 1 1/2 tablespoons of water into a heavy-bottomed saucepan, set over medium heat, and stir until the sugar dissolves. Then crank the heat to high and let the liquid bubble away-don't stir, just swirl the pan occasionally-until it turns dark amber. This takes about 4 minutes, but watch closely, because it happens fast. Reduce the heat to medium.
- 4. Moving quickly, fish the vanilla pod out of the cream (rinse it and save for another use) and slowly stir the warm cream into the caramel. Once it comes to a boil (this will happen fast), remove from the heat and let the mixture cool for about 10 minutes.
- 5. Whisk the egg yolks with the reserved sugar and a pinch of sea salt in a medium bowl. Whisk a little of the cream-caramel mixture into the egg yolks, then gradually whisk in the rest until it's all incorporated.
- 6. Strain the mixture into a pitcher or large measuring cup and pour it into four 6-ounce ramekins (see Tips and Techniques). Place the ramekins in a shallow baking pan filled halfway with cold water. If you like your caramel a bit salty, like me, sprinkle a few grains of sea salt on top of each pudding. Cook for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, until just set.
- 7. Chill the puddings for at least 3 hours; but it's best if you can chill them overnight. Serve with freshly whipped cream.
BURNT CARAMEL PUDDING
Great holiday entertaining recipes are even better if they can be made a day ahead. Midge, a Food52 community member, shared this recipe for Burnt Caramel Pudding: the complex depth of the deeply toasted, almost burnt caramel and the richness of real vanilla bean infuse a dessert that's creamy and easy to make. Add a dollop of whipped cream or sweetened mascarpone, and it's dressed up for a dinner party.
Provided by Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs
Time 7h20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Heat oven to 300 F.Pour cream into a small saucepan. Split vanilla bean and scrape the seeds into the cream; toss the scraped pod in there, too. Turn the heat to low to gently warm the cream to just below a simmer. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Reserve 2 tablespoons of the sugar; pour remaining sugar and 1 1/2 tablespoons water into heavy-bottomed saucepan and set over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Then crank the heat to high and let the liquid bubble away. Don't stir, just swirl the pan occasionally, until it turns dark amber. This takes about 4 minutes, but watch closely because it happens fast. Moving quickly, fish the vanilla pod out of the cream and save for another use. Slowly stir the warm cream into the caramel. Let the mixture cool for about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks with the remaining sugar and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl, until light and lemon colored.
- Whisk a little of the cream-caramel mixture into the egg yolks, to temper the yolks. Then add the yolk and cream mixture to the pot of cream and caramel. Strain the mixture into a pitcher or large measuring cup.
- Pour the mixture into four ramekins. If you like your caramel a bit salty, sprinkle a few extra grains of sea salt on top of each one. Place the ramekins in a shallow pan. Place the pan in the oven, and fill the outside of the pan with cold water, to halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes, until the custard is set in the middle.
- Remove the puddings from the oven, remove them from the water bath, and let cool completely. Chill for at least 6 hours, but it's best if you can chill overnight. Serve with whipped heavy cream, if you like.
EASY CARAMEL CUSTARD
A yummy, caramel-covered custard that's super-easy to make and fun for the whole family to eat! Special thanks to 'Cooking with dog!'
Provided by Cooking with a cat
Categories Desserts Custards and Pudding Recipes
Time 2h5m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Mix 1 tablespoon water into 1/4 cup sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium heat until sugar is completely moistened. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until the sugar and water form a golden brown syrup, about 5 minutes. Do not stir. Remove from heat and let boiling subside. Carefully stir 1 tablespoon hot water into caramel syrup.
- Whisk milk and 5 tablespoons sugar together in a saucepan over low heat; heat just until warmed and sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and whisk eggs into milk mixture. Pour caramel syrup into an 8x8-inch baking dish. Pour egg-milk mixture over syrup. Place pan into a larger baking dish and pour enough water into outer pan to reach about 1/2 inch up the sides of the inner pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven until custard has set, about 45 minutes. Let cool for about 10 minutes; chill in refrigerator before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 175.1 calories, Carbohydrate 31.2 g, Cholesterol 97.9 mg, Fat 3.7 g, Protein 5.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 60.2 mg, Sugar 31.1 g
SALTED CARAMEL CUSTARD
These easy 'pots de crèmes' are just sweet enough, just salty enough, and just drop-dead gorgeous enough to be my favorite dessert.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Desserts Custards and Pudding Recipes
Time 2h10m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Place 6 (6.5 ounce) ramekins in a baking dish.
- Place sugar evenly in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Without stirring, allow sugar to slowly melt around the edges of the pan, about 5 minutes, adjusting heat as necessary. When edges start to bubble, shake and swirl pan to dissolve remaining sugar but without stirring it. Keep pan moving until you have a clear, dark caramel, about 10 minutes. When sugar is completely dissolved, whisk in cream; caramel will cool into a lump; this is normal. Keep stirring over medium heat until caramel melts and mixture comes up to temperature and sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat
- Stir in kosher salt, vanilla, and cold milk; mix well.
- Place egg yolks in a large mixing bowl. Whisk in a ladleful of caramel/milk mixture to the yolks. Add 2 more ladlefuls, one at a time. Then mix in the remainder of the caramel/milk mixture to the yolks, whisking until thoroughly blended.
- Divide custard mixture evenly among the ramekins. Carefully pour into the baking dish enough water so that it comes halfway up the sides of the filled ramekins.
- Bake in preheated oven until custard is set and the top of custard jiggles evenly across the surface, 45 to 60 minutes (depending on the size of your ramekins and how full they are). If the center seems looser than the edges, continue to bake another minute or so.
- Transfer ramekins to a cooling rack; cool to room temperature. Cover ramekins with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour until they are very cold.
- Serve topped with a pinch of light, flaky sea salt.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 467.2 calories, Carbohydrate 27.3 g, Cholesterol 420 mg, Fat 37.3 g, Protein 6.9 g, SaturatedFat 21.4 g, Sodium 271.8 mg, Sugar 24.4 g
Tips:
- Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan. This will help to evenly distribute the heat and prevent the caramel from burning.
- Stir the caramel constantly. This will help to prevent it from sticking to the pan and burning.
- Use a candy thermometer to measure the temperature of the caramel. This will help to ensure that it reaches the correct temperature and does not overcook.
- Be careful not to overcook the caramel. Overcooked caramel will be bitter and grainy.
- Let the caramel cool slightly before adding it to the custard. This will help to prevent the custard from curdling.
- Bake the custard in a water bath. This will help to evenly distribute the heat and prevent the custard from curdling.
- Refrigerate the custard for at least 4 hours before serving. This will allow the custard to set and develop its full flavor.
Conclusion:
Burnt caramel custard is a delicious and elegant dessert that is perfect for any occasion. By following these tips, you can easily make this classic dessert at home.
Note: This recipe is for a basic burnt caramel custard. You can add other ingredients, such as fruit, chocolate, or nuts, to create different variations of this dessert.
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