Creme brulee is a French dessert made of cream and egg yolks, topped with caramelized sugar. The basic recipe involves boiling cream, beating in egg yolks, and chilling in ramekins before adding sugar and caramelizing it. Variations include adding spices, nuts, or liqueurs.
The elegant dessert custard has a thick pudding base of cream and egg topped with a delicate layer of caramelised sugar. In French, “creme brulee” means “burnt cream,” which refers to the process by which sprinkled sugar is heated to a temperature that caramelizes it into a delicious brown. The traditional method of cooking this type of custard has evolved many flavored variations, but the simplest is often the best.
A basic creme brulee recipe involves a few fancy steps or specialized equipment. Boil the cream in a saucepan over medium heat, then beat in the egg yolks. On low heat, stir until thickened, so it can coat the sides of the pan. Some people cook the mixture in a double boiler, which protects the ingredients from uneven or harsh heat. Pour the batter into a series of ceramic ramekins until the middles are still melty but the rim is firm. Let them chill in the refrigerator for several days. When serving, sprinkle them with an even layer of granulated white brown sugar. Quickly expose the buds to a hot flame, either a cook torch or an oven rack, so the sugar darkens to a deep brown but doesn’t char.
Creme brulee combines minimalist flavors in a partially chilled yet partially warmed dessert. Of course, there are many established variations on the cream and sugar flavor that add spices, nuts, liqueurs, or seasonings. For example, some chefs blend cinnamon, vanilla extract, coconut, pumpkin, melted chocolate, or espresso concentrate to make seasonal varieties. Others use rich, heavy liquors like cream of cassis, bourbon, or cream of mint for a zesty twist. If decorative ramekins aren’t fancy enough, you can add a sprig of mint, fresh berries, shaved chocolate, dried coconut, chopped hazelnuts, or an edible flower like a nasturtium to entice guests to fully appreciate their first spoonful of decadent creme brulee.
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