Crème brûlée is a classic and rich French dessert, mostly consisting of a creamy custard base and a crisp, caramelized sugar topping. The custard base is usually composed of heavy cream, egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla extract.
It is slowly cooked in a water bath or Bain-Marie to prevent it from curdling until it reaches a thick and creamy consistency. The surface of the custard is then sprinkled with granulated or raw sugar and caramelized with a blowtorch or under a broiler just before serving.
Other flavors such as chocolate, liqueur, citrus, lavender, and other spices can also be added to the custard base.
What makes something a brûlée?
A brûlée is a desert dish where a top layer of sugar is caramelized to form a crunchy golden crust. The name “brûlée” comes from the French term “brûler”, which means to burn. This is referring to the process of caramelizing the sugar on the top layer of the dish.
This layer can be achieved by either putting it under a broiler, or using a kitchen blowtorch.
The most common brûlée is creme brûlée, a custard dish made of cream, egg yolks, sugar, and flavoring. Creme brûlée is the French classic and can range in flavor from plain vanilla to a variety of other flavors.
The custard mixture is poured into a shallow dish then that topping of sugar is applied. This is what makes it a brûlée and creates that delicious sweet and crispy crust.
Why is it called crème brûlée?
Crème brûlée (also known as burnt cream) is a dessert dish that originated in France. Its name is derived from the French words “crème” meaning cream and “brûlée” meaning burnt. The classic crème brûlée is a custard, made of heavy cream, egg yolks, vanilla extract and sometimes sugar.
The custard is prepared and baked until it is just set, then cooled and a caramelized sugar top is added just before serving. This top creates a crispy, sweet contrast to the soft, creamy custard below.
The use of a blowtorch to caramelize the sugar is a key step in bringing this luscious dessert to life, which is why its name Crème brûlée, meaning “burnt cream” is so fitting.
Is crème brûlée served cold or hot?
Crème brûlée is generally served cold. This lovely dessert features a creamy custard topped with a layer of hard caramelized sugar. Crème brûlée is typically made with egg yolks, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla, and is served with a variety of different fruits and sauces.
Crème brûlée is traditionally served chilled, and can be enjoyed on its own or with garnishes like fresh raspberries or a dollop of whipped cream. Serving crème brûlée cold helps to highlight the contrast between the cold, creamy custard and the crunchy, caramelized sugar topping.
What do you eat with crème brûlée?
Crème brûlée is typically served with a side of seasonal fresh fruit, such as strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries. You can also garnish it with a sprinkle of chopped almonds or chopped hazelnuts.
Some people also enjoy biscuits with their crème brûlée, such as shortbread or speculoos. For a lighter option, you can top the crème brûlée with a light berry compote or a small scoop of ice cream, like vanilla, raspberry, or mango.
If you are looking for something more substantial, you can serve the crème brûlée with a slice of madeleine, a scone, or a dense, rich pound cake.
What is the sugar in top of crème brûlée called?
The sugar on top of crème brûlée is referred to as a “crackly crust”. The crust is created by sprinkling a layer of granulated sugar on top of the custard before it is caramelized. This layer of sugar is then caramelized with a kitchen blowtorch, creating a crunchy caramel top layer.
The finished product with its sweet caramelized topping is a unique treat that crème brûlée is renowned for.
How do you say crème brûlée in French?
In French, crème brûlée is commonly referred to as “crème brûlée” or “crème caramel”. This French dessert is made of a rich custard base that is typically flavored with vanilla and then topped with a layer of caramelized sugar.
The custard base can be flavored with a variety of different ingredients, such as fresh fruit, coffee, chocolate, and herbs. Once the custard has been prepared, it is topped with the layer of caramelized sugar, which is usually prepared by using either a kitchen torch or a hot metal spoon.
When the sugar has been properly caramelized, it forms a hard, crisp shell that can be cracked with a spoon.
Is crème brûlée actually French?
Yes, crème brûlée is a French dessert that originated in the late 17th century. It is a custard base custard with a layer of caramelized sugar on top. It is extremely popular in France and is now popular in many countries around the world due to its combination of creamy custard and crunchy caramelized topping.
The name crème brûlée literally means “burnt cream” in French, which is an apt description of the dish. It is traditionally served with some kind of topping such as a berry sauce or a caramel sauce, and sometimes a dollop of whipped cream.
It is also a popular finish to a romantic dinner or special occasion.
Is creme brulee healthy?
Creme brulee is a classic French dessert traditionally made with heavy cream, eggs, vanilla, and sugar. As a dessert, it also usually has a caramelized sugar topping. This can make it appear as a indulgent treat that is not good for you.
However, like many desserts its healthfulness depends on how it is made. Using fewer egg yolks, whole milk or even non-dairy milk, and reducing the amount of sugar can all make creme brulee a healthier choice.
Additionally, if a large portion isn’t eaten at once, it can also be a much healthier snack.
The dish is also rich in calcium, protein, and other vitamins and minerals, provided it is made with milk instead of heavy cream. However, this does not negate the fact that it is high in saturated fat and sugar.
So, while creme brulee may be healthier than other desserts, it is still not considered to be a healthy choice overall.
How many calories is a creme brulee?
A single serving of creme brulee typically contains approximately 400-450 calories. The exact calorie count of a creme brulee depends on its ingredients and size. For example, using heavier cream or adding more sugar will increase the number of calories.
Different restaurants and creme brulee recipes can have slight variations in calorie count, but the average is around 400-450 calories per serving.
Is there a lot of sugar in creme brulee?
Yes, there is a lot of sugar in creme brulee. It is a classic French custard dessert which is made up of egg yolks, cream and sugar. The sugar is mixed in with the egg yolks and then the cream is added so that the sugar dissolves.
The typical ratio for creme brulee is usually one part cream to between two and four parts of sugar. This usually equates to a lot of sugar, depending on how sweet you like the dessert to be. Some recipes require even more sugar and in those cases the amount of sugar can be quite high.
Typically, the process of caramelizing the top of the creme brulee requires even more sugar, as it creates a hard, crunchy and sweet layer on the top of the dessert.
Can I use regular sugar for creme brulee?
Yes, you can use regular sugar for creme brulee. In fact, granulated sugar is recommended for the classic creme brulee recipe. Simply sprinkle the sugar on top of the custard in a thin and even layer, and then use a torch to caramelize it.
Just remember to keep the flame a few inches away from the sugar so that it melts evenly. Be careful not to heat up the custard beneath. If you don’t have a torch, you can use a culinary blowtorch or the broiler in your oven.
To get the best and most even results, be sure to rotate the pan under the heat source.
