Crème Brûlée for One

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I love crème brûlée, but sometimes I don’t want to make a whole batch. That’s why I was thrilled to find a recipe for crème brûlée for one! This recipe is perfect for those times when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to make a big mess in the kitchen.

To make this recipe, I only need a few simple ingredients: heavy cream, egg yolk, sugar, vanilla extract, and some sugar to caramelize the top. The recipe is easy to follow and doesn’t take long to make, which is perfect for me when I’m short on time. I also love that it’s a single serving, so I don’t have to worry about leftovers (although when it comes to creme brulee, I don’t think I would mind so much to have a spare serving about – but that sorta defeats the point of this recipe).

And thus begins the 52 Weeks of Cooking Challenge.

creme-brulee-recipe

Or for when you remember suddenly, while craving crème brûlée, that it’s Week 2 and the challenge is dairy.

So where is Week 1, you ask? Yeah well, okay, I’ll admit I forgot about Week 1. I have been planning on starting this challenge as part of my New Year’s Resolution for several weeks prior and had lurked in the thread, from which these recipes were inspired, in preparation.

Truly, Week 1: Diet Foods was completed, just two weeks late.

Why Make Creme Brulee for One?

As someone who loves to cook and bake, I often find myself experimenting with recipes and trying new things in the kitchen. One of my favorite desserts to make is creme brulee, but I’ve found that many recipes are designed to serve several people. That’s why I’ve started making creme brulee for one – it’s the perfect portion size for a special treat without any waste.

Here are a few reasons why I love making creme brulee for one:

  • Portion Control: When you make a large batch of creme brulee, it can be tempting to eat more than you should. By making a single serving, you can indulge in a delicious dessert without overdoing it.
  • Easy to Customize: Making creme brulee for one allows you to experiment with different flavors and toppings. You can add a splash of liqueur, a pinch of cinnamon, or top it with fresh berries – the possibilities are endless.
  • Perfect for Special Occasions: Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or just want to treat yourself, creme brulee is a great dessert choice. Making a single serving ensures that you can enjoy a decadent dessert without having to share.
  • Quick and Easy: Many creme brulee recipes require a lot of time and effort, but making a single serving is quick and easy. You can have a delicious dessert ready in no time.
creme brulee single serving

My apologies for not having any of the cooking process. I should mention that I also was only ever intending to post a few pictures for imaginary internet points, so I didn’t even think to snap pics while I was actually cooking.

Won’t happen again, hopefully not for at least the next 50-odd weeks.

What’s in creme brulee?

When I’m craving something sweet and decadent, there’s nothing quite like a crème brûlée. This classic French dessert is rich, creamy, and oh-so-satisfying. And while it may seem like a fancy dessert that’s only meant for special occasions, it’s actually quite easy to make at home. In fact, with just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a delicious crème brûlée for one in no time.

  • heavy cream – provides richness and creaminess to the dessert
  • egg yolks – give the creme brulee a silk texture
  • vanilla – for flavoring
  • sugar + more for topping – adds sweetness and is used to make the iconic caramelized topping

DIY Creme Brulee – It’s Easy!

Creme brulee is an impressively easy dessert for anyone to make at home. With just a little patience (mostly thanks to a long cooling time), a delicious dessert is only a few steps away.

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
  2. Heat heavy cream and vanilla extract in a pan until warm, then let it cool.
  3. Beat egg yolks and sugar in a bowl until creamy and pale.
  4. Gradually pour the warm cream into the egg mixture while whisking constantly.
  5. Remove any foam from the surface of the mixture and pour into a ramekin.
  6. Place the ramekin in a pan filled with water halfway up the sides of the ramekin.
  7. Bake in the oven for 40-50 minutes or until the center is wobbly but the sides are set.
  8. Remove the ramekin from the water and let it cool for 15 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  9. Sprinkle sugar over the top of the chilled custard and use a torch to caramelize the sugar until brown and bubbly.
  10. Let it cool for a few moments, then crack the surface with a spoon and serve.

And there you have it – a delicious crème brûlée for one! This dessert is perfect for when you’re in the mood for something sweet and indulgent, but don’t want to make a whole batch. Give it a try and see how easy it is to make this classic French dessert at home.

creme brulee recipe

Crème Brûlée for One

The Starving Chef
Creme brulee – single serving alternative!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine French
Servings 1 person

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F. Place the cream in a pan with vanilla extract and bring to a light simmer over medium-low heat, constantly stirring. Let it cool until warm to touch, at least 15 minutes.
  • Beat the egg yolks in a small bowl with the sugar until creamy and slightly pale.
  • Then, while whisking constantly, slowly pour the cream, a little bit at a time, into the bowl with the eggs. Once mixed completely, spoon off any foam on the surface and pour the mixture into a ramekin.
  • Once mixed completely, spoon off any foam on the surface then pour into a ramekin.
  • Using a single 9×9 pan, fill it with water until it is about halfway up the side of the ramekin.
  • Cook for approximately 40-50 minutes, or until the center is still wobbly, but the sides are smooth and non-moving. Depending on your oven, this can take up to an hour and a half, but luckily mine was perfect at about 47 minutes.
  • Remove the ramekin from the water and allow it to cool on the counter for about 15 minutes. Then, place it in the fridge to continue cooling for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  • When ready to serve, gently shake the fine sugar over the top of the crème until the surface is covered.
  • Using a torch that can be held horizontally, melt the sugar granules until they are brown and bubbling, being careful not to stay in one place for too long and scorching the surface.
  • Let it cool for a few moments (you can even put it back into the fridge for a couple of minutes) and then crack the surface with a spoon and enjoy!
Keyword brulee torch, dairy, sugar
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