Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2002

Show: The Essence of EmerilEpisode: Custard

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (25)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(25)

Cook Time:
40 min
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
6 servings

Times:

Prep: 4 min
Inactive Prep: 2 min
Cook: 40 min
Total:: 46 min

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Ingredients

2 cups heavy cream
1 cup milk
1/2 vanilla bean, split and scraped
6 large egg yolks
1/2 cup granulated sugar plus 6 tablespoons

Directions

Heat the heavy cream, milk, and vanilla bean in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Place the egg yolks and sugar in a heatproof mixing bowl and beat until pale yellow in color and all of the sugar has dissolved. Temper about 1/2 a cup of the cream mixture into the egg mixture and whisk vigorously to incorporate well. Add the remainder of the cream mixture to the bowl and whisk vigorously to incorporate. Strain the brulee base through a fine mesh sieve and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Pour the custard into 6 (5-ounce) oval ramekins or gratin dishes, and place the dishes in a sheet pan or roasting pan. Pour enough hot water into the pan to come up half way on the sides of the ramekins. Place the pan in the oven on the middle rack and bake for 30 minutes, turning the sheet pan around after 15 minutes to ensure even cooking. To test for doneness, jiggle the pan slightly to see if the custard is set, if so, remove from the oven and let cool at room temperature before placing them in the refrigerator for 2 hours to completely cool. Once the brulee has cooled, evenly spread 1 tablespoon of sugar over each ramekin and using a blowtorch, caramelize the sugar to form a candy coating. Be sure to keep the blowtorch moving in a circular motion to prevent the sugar from burning. Serve once the sugar has cooled and is hard like candy.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee
Diane Naches, WA 03-29-2009
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Awesome!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is a family favorite - it is creamy, smooth, and has a wonderful flavor. I am frequently asked to bring it to family... gatherings. It is very easy to make.Read more
recipe Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee
Myrnelle Baltimore, MD 01-01-2009
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My New Favorite Dessert
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This was sooo great. I just came from Nice, France and had creme brulee there, and I can say that this recipe is just as... good. I had vanilla extract at home and that worked instead of having the actual vanilla bean. Read more
recipe Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee
Candice Santa Clarita, CA 03-24-2008
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Perfect!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I have made this recipe so many times I have memorized it. I usually double it because I constantly make it for big parties,... so I had to just say that it is the most perfect vanilla bean creme brulee recipe I have ever used. The cooking times vary, but that's the trials that come with baking custards, so just keep an eye on them towards the end. sometimes a few are setting up before others, but no biggie. No oven bakes perfecly even. I have had many, many people tell me I made the best creme brulee they have had in their lives...You can't argue with that. Just remember to treat the ingredients gently! And as far as the extra 6 Tbs of sugar, I do add it into the creme brulee. I use additional for the top and have never once heard it was too sweet. (unless you like eating creme brulee that tastes like eggs)Read more
recipe Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee
Anonymous 01-29-2008
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Great recipe, try this though.....
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Recipe was smooth and creamy. Try this though....I substituted pure maple syrup for the sugar (equal amount). It was... perfectly sweet w/a nice subtle maple flavor. For cheaper beans I went to vanillaharvest.com, a lot less than my supermarket.Read more
recipe Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee
mary Bethlehem, PA 11-22-2007
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Question about the vanilla bean
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I plan to make the Creme Brulee next week, on the show Emeril cut the vanilla bean open and scraped out the vanilla...I was... not sure what he did with the bean. The recipe just calls for the bean to be put in the cream, does that mean not to cut it open? I just made Barefoot Contessa recipe last week for company and am anxious to try this one. If you can help me with the vanilla bean that would be great. Thanks, Mary HairRead more
recipe Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee
JENIFER BOISE, ID 07-30-2007
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perfecto!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This recipe was super easy. I substituted heavy cream for the milk (for a total of 3 cups of heavy cream) and used shallow... ramikens (about 3/4 inch deep), baked for about 25 minutes, and the consistency was perfect. The vanilla bean was essential to the flavor and it tasted just like the creme brulee i've ordered at many fine dining restaurants!Read more