Easy Vanilla Crème Brûlée Recipe

Delicious Vanilla Creme Brulee!. A simple classic Vanilla infused baked custard with a simple thin, crispy layer of toffee on top. My Crème Brûlée recipe is easy to make and uses a few simple ingredients. If you’re looking for an easy make ahead of time dessert that is sure to impress and is light, then this is it!

Nick’s favorite thing about Easy Vanilla Creme Brulee Recipe…

I absolutely adore this gorgeous French custard dessert. For several reasons, the first one being that it’s incredibly easy to make. It’s really a no brainer dessert that uses simple ingredients, which leads me on to my next favourite thing. It has a simple ingredient that you probably already have in your kitchen right now! Above all though I love how smooth the custard texture is, and the crispy top, but more about that below!

What does this Easy Vanilla Creme Brulee Recipe taste like?

The custard which makes up most of this dessert is flavoured with milk and vanilla. And it has a delicious rich flavour from the egg yolks. They all come together to form a soft and silky-smooth custard. The crispy toffee layer on top is thin and adds a delicious, caramelised flavour to the dessert.

What are the ingredients I need for Easy Vanilla Creme Brulee Recipe ?

Milk – I used whole milk. Skim will also work.

Evaporated milk – this is a canned milk that is concentrated and will result in an extra creamy custard.

Salt – I used fine salt.

Vanilla bean – I used a Madagascar vanilla bean. Here in Australia, they sell them at Woolworths. You can also buy them on Amazon in bulk or from any reputable seller online. Alternative to a vanilla bean you can use vanilla bean paste which usually comes in little jars. You can also use vanilla extract. Always use good quality vanilla extract when baking, it makes a huge difference. I have a great recipe here for it if you’d like to try your own!

Egg yolks – I used large eggs.

Caster sugar – also known as superfine sugar is the best sugar to use in my experience.

Let’s go through each step.

Easy Vanilla Crème Brûlée Recipe!

1. Preheat your oven to 160C / 320F. Add both milks and salt to a large saucepan.
2. Use a sharp knife to carefully split the vanilla bean in half.

3. Use the sharp side to scrape the beans out.
4. Add to the milk mixture, along with the split vanilla bean.

5. Mix on low heat until mixture barely begins to bubble. Take off the heat.
6. Add the egg yolks and sugar to a large mixing bowl or jug and whisk to combine, about 60 seconds.

7. While whisking, slowly add the milk until all added.
8. Add 4 medium sized ramekins to a deep baking dish. Fill each ramekin with egg milk mixture, making sure they’re all evenly filled.

9. Fill the baking dish 1/4 of the way with boiling water and bake for 30-40 minutes.
10. Once baked, they will still be a little jiggly in the centre. Take out of the baking dish and allow to cool completely.

11. When ready to serve, sprinkle with about 1 tsp of caster sugar.
12. Use a kitchen torch to caramelise into a thin layer of toffee.

My Top Tips!

Storage

Crème Brûlée can be made a day in advance and have the crispy toffee added to it right before serving.

Kitchen torch

I bought mine from a kitchenware store. It’s the best thing to use to turn the sugar into a thin crispy layer of toffee. If you don’t have one of these, I’ve heard of people being able to do it under an oven grill. Although it’s not going to result in a nice even toffee look.

Sugar

Also known as superfine sugar is the best sugar to use in my experience.

Vanilla bean

I used a Madagascar vanilla bean. Here in Australia, they sell them at Woolworths. You can also buy them on Amazon in bulk or from any reputable seller online. Alternative to a vanilla bean you can use vanilla bean paste which usually comes in little jars. You can also use vanilla extract. Always use good quality vanilla extract when baking, it makes a huge difference. I have a great recipe here for it if you’d like to try your own!

Other Classic French Recipes You Might Like!

• Crème Brûlée Tart
• Crème Brulee Cupcakes
• French Fruit Tart
• French Macarons (French Method)
• How To Make Cream Puffs

Gave this a go? Don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! Hungry for more? Join me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok for more great recipes!