Description
Traditionally, crème brûlée is a custard-based dessert made from cream, egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla. It’s baked gently in a water bath until set, then topped with a layer of caramelized sugar that gives you that satisfying crack when tapped with a spoon.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup vanilla ice cream (full-fat, no mix-ins)
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for the brûlée topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Melt the ice cream in a microwave-safe bowl for 30–40 seconds until smooth. Let it cool for 5 minutes.
- Whisk in the egg yolk until fully combined.
- Pour into a ramekin and place it in a baking dish. Add hot water to the dish until it reaches halfway up the ramekin sides.
- Bake for 40–50 minutes until the custard is set but slightly jiggly in the center.
- Cool to room temp, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to 3 days).
- Sprinkle sugar evenly on top. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize, or broil for 2–3 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a flavor twist, infuse the cream with vanilla beans, citrus zest, or even a splash of espresso before baking. You can also top the caramelized sugar crust with fresh berries for a refreshing finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake + Broil
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ramekin
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: High
Keywords: Easy crème brûlée recipe, Simple crème brûlée, 3-ingredient crème brûlée