Vanilla Bean Crème Caramel
Indulge in the luxurious Vanilla Bean Crème Caramel, a classic French dessert that combines silky custard with a rich caramel topping. Each bite melts in your mouth, delivering a perfect balance of sweetness and creamy texture. Ideal for special occasions or as a delightful treat just because, this recipe is straightforward enough for novice cooks yet impressive enough to steal the show at any dinner party.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 8
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (divided)
- 2 vanilla beans (split and seeds scraped)
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup water (for caramel)
Instructions
- Prepare the caramel: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/2 cup sugar and water. Cook until it turns golden amber; pour into ramekins.
- Make the custard: Whisk together eggs and remaining sugar in a bowl. Slowly add warmed milk and cream while whisking to avoid lumps. Stir in vanilla bean seeds and salt.
- Pour custard mixture over cooled caramel in ramekins.
- Bake in a water bath at 325°F (160°C) for 40-50 minutes until slightly jiggly in the center.
- Cool completely before refrigerating for at least four hours. Serve chilled by inverting onto plates.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ramekin (120g)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: For easier preparation, make the crème caramel a day ahead to enhance flavors. Substitute vanilla extract (1 tbsp per bean) if necessary. Add espresso powder for a unique twist.