Salted Caramel Crème Brûlée – Home Cooking Adventure

If you love the rich, creamy decadence of classic crème brûlée, just wait until you try this Salted Caramel Crème Brûlée! This dreamy dessert takes everything we adore about the French classic and infuses it with deep, caramel flavor for an extra layer of indulgence.

Imagine cracking through that perfectly crisp, caramelized sugar topping with the back of your spoon, revealing a silky smooth caramel custard underneath. It’s pure dessert magic! 

The best part? It’s easier to make than you might think! With just a few simple ingredients, cream, eggs, sugar, salt and a touch of vanilla, you can create an amazing treat right in your own kitchen. This Caramel Crème Brûlée is guaranteed to impress. 

How to make salted caramel crème brûlée

Begin with heating the cream over medium heat just until it starts to bubble around the edges. Remove from heat and set aside.

Next, prepare the caramel. In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar and water over medium-high heat. Cook without stirring until the sugar dissolves and turns a deep amber color.

Reduce the heat to low, and carefully pour the hot cream into the caramel a little at a time, stirring gently until fully combined. Be cautious, as the mixture will bubble vigorously.

In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks with salt and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Slowly pour the warm caramel mixture into the egg yolks, stirring constantly to prevent curdling.

For a silky texture, pass the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher.

How to bake crème brûlée

Place four 8-ounce (220g) ramekins in a large baking dish. Divide the caramel custard evenly among the ramekins. Carefully pour hot water into the baking dish, filling it halfway up the sides of the ramekins to create a water bath.

Transfer the dish to the middle rack of the oven and bake in a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the custard is set but still slightly wobbly in the center.

Remove the ramekins from the water bath and allow them to cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight.

Finally, caramelize the top. Just before serving, sprinkle sugar evenly over each custard. Use a kitchen torch to melt and caramelize the sugar until golden and crisp. Let it sit for 5 minutes to harden before serving.

Enjoy your homemade Salted Caramel Crème Brûlée, with its rich, creamy custard and perfectly crisp caramelized topping! If you try it out, make sure to tag me on Instagram. I would love to see how it turns out for you.

Tips for the perfect crème brûlée

Use quality ingredients. Fat whipping cream, fresh egg yolks, and real vanilla give the custard its signature rich flavor. Avoid low-fat substitutes, as they can result in a thin or grainy texture.

Temper the eggs. Slowly whisk hot cream into the egg yolks while stirring constantly to prevent curdling. This step ensures a smooth and creamy custard instead of a scrambled mess.

Strain the mixture. Pour the custard through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any cooked egg bits and air bubbles. This small step makes a big difference in achieving a silky, professional-quality texture.

Bake in a water bath. Placing ramekins in a baking dish with hot water keeps the heat gentle and even, preventing the custard from curdling. Be sure the water reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins for best results.

Don’t overbake. The custard should be just set around the edges but slightly jiggly in the center when you remove it from the oven. Overbaking can lead to a rubbery texture instead of a smooth, creamy one.

Chill thoroughly. Let the crème brûlée cool at room temperature before refrigerating it for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to meld and the custard to set properly.

Caramelize evenly. Sprinkle a thin, even layer of superfine sugar on top before torching it in a circular motion.

Serve immediately. The best part of crème brûlée is the contrast between the warm, crackly sugar topping and the cold, creamy custard beneath. For the ultimate experience, enjoy it right after caramelizing!

Other recipes you may like to try

If you like custard desserts you may also like to try this smooth and creamy Mini Size Crème Caramel. It features a delightful caramel layer and a melt-in-your-mouth custard, perfect for individual servings.

This Caramel Panna Cotta is silky, creamy, and infused with rich caramel flavor. It is an elegant no-bake dessert that’s both simple and indulgent.

The Classic Vanilla Crème Brûlée is a timeless French dessert with a silky vanilla custard base and a perfectly caramelized sugar crust.

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