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    Easy Crème Brûlée

    By Stacy 60 Comments

    Jump to recipe

    Crème Brûlée is probably my all time favorite dessert. In fact, when we first moved here to Utah, Shane's first firm he worked for would have their company Christmas party at Deer Valley Ski Resort every year. We would have a private dining room with tables full of the best food. I would head straight to the dessert table and grab five vanilla bean Crème Brûlées.

    I probably should have been embarrassed. But I didn't care. It was the one time a year I got to eat it and I am totally a dessert first kinda girl anyway. If you had tasted it, you would have eaten ten. So really, I had quite a bit of self restraint when you think about it.

    I haven't had it in soooo long. While we were in New Orleans though, I had some at dinner one night. It opened the floodgates of temptation and I have been thinking about it non-stop since.

    (I have a giveaway at the end so make sure and read to the bottom and enter!)

    recipe for easy creme brulee

     

    I have never made it from scratch before. I ordered a mix online once and it was pretty good. But for some reason the thought of making it intimidated me. When I finally (out of sheer desperation) looked up how to make it, I was surprised that it wasn't that hard.

     

    creme brulee recipe

     

    I got this recipe from The Food Network site. It was basically the same recipe I saw on a bunch of other sites. There are only 4 ingredients so there really isn't much room for variation :)

    Easy Crème Brûlée

    Print this recipe
    Stacy
    May 22, 2015
    by Stacy
    Category Recipes

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups heavy cream
    • 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ cup of sugar
    • 6 egg yolks
    • ½ cup sugar for caramelizing on top

    Instructions

    1. Pour the heavy cream and vanilla into a sauce pan. Bring to a simmer and then let cool for 10 minutes.
    2. While the cream is cooling, add the egg yolks and ½ cup sugar to a large mixing bowl.
    3. Whisk the eggs and sugar until it is a pale yellow.
    4. Slowly add the cream to the egg mixture and whisk together.
    5. Once mixed, add to the custard dishes.
    6. Place dishes in a large baking dish lined with a towel. Pour boiling water into baking dish so that it comes to half way up the custard dishes. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until custard is firm but still wiggles.
    7. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
    8. Add sugar to the top and melt it using a heat gun or cooking torch.
    https://www.notjustahousewife.net/easy-creme-brulee/

    You can see the real vanilla bean specks in the cream!

    cream and vanilla simmering

     

    Apparently separating yolks is not my forte since only 3 didn't break.

     

    egg yokes and sugar

     

    I have heard you need a rag in the bottom of the dish and I have heard that you don't. I put on in just in case. These square dishes were a little larger than normal ramekins so only two fit per baking dish and I had to bake them longer.

     

    place them in a dish of water to bake

     

    Now when I have made this using the mix I ordered online, the one thing that never turned out was the melting of the sugar. It suggested using the broiler setting in your oven if you didn't have a torch. I either did it wrong or it is not the best way of doing it. If you are like me, then the crusty sugar is kind of the make it or break it part of a good crème brûlée.

    I had an epiphany while I was waiting for them to bake. Why not use my heat gun?

    As an ambassador for HomeRight, I had been given a heat gun and I have had all sort of fun with it making an abstract plexiglass bowl, icicle ornaments, and even "knock off" Anthropologie charred bookends. Why not use it to melt some sugar?

     

    caramelizing the sugar with a heat gun

     

    It worked like a charm!

     

    easy creme brulee

     

     

    Since I work with HomeRight, I also get to giveaway these fun tools of theirs. So today I am giving away a digital HEAT GUN!

    You will love it. The uses are endless.

    Digital Heat Gun

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Enter below using the rafflecopter widget. Give it a sec to load. Sometimes the old gal is slow.   *Must be 18 years or older and a resident of the USA at the time of the contest. Giveaway will run from May 23, 2015 until May 30, 2015. The winner will be chosen via random.org and notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. HomeRight will be responsible for shipping the prize to the winner.

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    Filed Under: Recipes 60 Comments

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sarah Franz

      May 22, 2015 at 8:28 pm

      I'd use one to strip varnish and paint off things to redo them. Yay!

      Reply
    2. Dee @Cupcakes&Crowbars

      May 22, 2015 at 8:32 pm

      I want this so bad! TORCH ALL THE THINGS!!

      Reply
    3. Dawn

      May 22, 2015 at 8:36 pm

      I have a set of dressers I've been waiting to strip the paint off of and refinish for over a year now. I was pregnant and am still nursing so I've been avoiding heavy chemical peelers, but this would be a great solution!

      Reply
    4. Malia

      May 22, 2015 at 9:35 pm

      What a cool giveaway, I'd use it on creme brûlée too!

      Reply
    5. Amy | The Happy Scraps

      May 22, 2015 at 9:39 pm

      I have to say, I would use it to make this yummy dessert! I adore the fact that this is what you used to cook the top!!! :) This really looks delicious tho!

      Reply
    6. Bryn

      May 23, 2015 at 6:50 am

      Indoor s'mores

      Reply
    7. Janina

      May 23, 2015 at 7:08 am

      I am like you...ILOVE CREME BRÛLÉE, I have one of those flame thingies I got for Christmas years ago but it is a pain in the neck to work!your heat gun is a genius idea to use for this. Thanks for the chance to win.

      Reply
    8. Donna

      May 23, 2015 at 9:05 am

      Creme brulee. Genius idea!

      Reply
    9. Jamie

      May 23, 2015 at 9:33 am

      My husband wants one to make something for our saltwater tank.

      Reply
    10. Lynzee

      May 23, 2015 at 10:30 am

      Looks delicious!

      Reply
    11. Eden Claire

      May 23, 2015 at 10:33 am

      I would take your suggestions, and use them
      to create different things. And I'm so glad you found out the recipe is so simple to make. I make creme brûlée all the time. It's my go to dessert since it's fairly simple but delivers a punch. It's gives other the impression that you've been slaving for hours. And I love that you can make it the day ahead and refrigerate it, until you're ready for dessert. Then it's time to pull out the big guns and really wow your guests by torching them table side. Guests talk about it for days; it works every time.

      Reply
    12. Annette

      May 23, 2015 at 10:37 am

      I love your recipe! Creme Brulee has been my favorite dessert since I was a child (I always order it when I see it on the menu). I've never made it, but would love to try. So yeah, I'd make Creme Brulee with this.

      Reply
    13. Aisha R.

      May 23, 2015 at 11:46 am

      I use Mod Podge in my art and the drying time in between can be a hassle, this would help me so much

      Reply
    14. Cindy

      May 23, 2015 at 1:42 pm

      Wow...heat gun....genius!! This looks so yummy. Like you i have been a little intimidated to try it....but you made it sound easy!!

      Reply
    15. Kate

      May 23, 2015 at 2:36 pm

      That is so awesome! I have been wanting a torch for creme brûlée but you could do so much more with this!! I wonder if you have to worry about any of the chemicals released from heating the construction stuff would transfer to the food though...??

      Reply
    16. Amy Tolley

      May 23, 2015 at 4:39 pm

      i could use this for all kinds of craft ideas as well as cooking ideas ty for this chance

      Reply
    17. Tiffany C

      May 23, 2015 at 5:22 pm

      I heart DIY so I would use it for many things, but I have to say that is such an ORIGINAL idea.

      Reply
    18. Susan M.

      May 23, 2015 at 7:34 pm

      Priorities first so I'd break her in with some creme brulee and after satisfying my sweet tooth I'd use it to remove paint. Thanks for the opportunity!

      Reply
    19. Cmt

      May 23, 2015 at 7:34 pm

      Dang, DIY and dessert. What a great combo. Love your story about the 5 desserts. For what you and Shane did in NOLA, you both deserve 10 desserts. I used to have a heat gun which I used to scrape the paint off the porch a number of times. Too many times, in fact. It died. I'd love a replacement.

      Reply
    20. Natalie Dixon

      May 23, 2015 at 9:59 pm

      I might actually try it on creme brulee! I've never had it but everyone I know raves about it!

      Reply
    21. wendy nicholls

      May 23, 2015 at 11:27 pm

      Oh I would love to win this gun , I LOVE Crème Brûlée so yummy , but my son is a HUGE fan , so I would definitely use the heat gun to make him some Crème Brûlée.

      Reply
    22. Cassie

      May 24, 2015 at 6:16 am

      On. My. Heavens. My mouth is watering right now.
      I LOVE tools that I can do lots of different things with. That heat gun looks awesome.

      Reply
    23. Amy Anderson

      May 24, 2015 at 8:13 am

      I actually want a heat gun for removing labels - this looks great!

      Reply
    24. Janel

      May 24, 2015 at 6:47 pm

      I'd use it on creme brûlée of course! I LOVE creme brûlée!!

      Reply
    25. Rebecca B

      May 25, 2015 at 1:07 am

      My first challenge would be to keep it away from my husband. If given half a chance, it would go straight to his work bucket. I don't even have my own hammer anymore. Then I can find all sorts of projects, that being said, I haven't had good creme brulee for a long time:)

      Reply
    26. Janet M

      May 25, 2015 at 7:54 am

      So many different uses for this!

      Reply
    27. Becky V

      May 25, 2015 at 9:26 am

      My husband loves creme brulee. I've made a 'healthier' version with evaporated milk that was actually tasty. I always add a few raspberries in the ramekin before I pour the cream mixture in. SO good.

      I'd use the heat gun for the creme brulee, the little torch takes forever, then I'd peel some paint off of our window trim.

      Reply
    28. Cory

      May 25, 2015 at 9:30 am

      that looks yummy. What a great ideas.

      Reply
    29. Dea

      May 25, 2015 at 11:21 am

      Very cool... I mean HOT!! I can think of at least two things I would use this heat gun for besides crème brulee... I'm a scrapbooker, and it would be great for melting embossing powder on metals. A regular scrapbooking heat gun just doesn't get hot enough for that. And it would be good for removing oil-based paint off all that scrap wood the hubs has accumulated in the back yard. I have PLANS for that stuff, but not with all that cruddy old chipped paint on it.

      Reply
    30. Katlyn Carlile

      May 25, 2015 at 11:56 am

      I'd break it in trying out this awesome recipe!

      Reply
    31. Cailey Barton

      May 25, 2015 at 1:03 pm

      THis would be the best for creme brulee! A family favorite!

      Reply
    32. Micki Poirrier

      May 25, 2015 at 4:28 pm

      OH MY!!! Creme Brulee is my absolute favorite dessert! I would love to win the heat gun so I could prepare it myself instead of having to wait for a special occasion to enjoy it at a fancy restaurant!

      Reply
    33. Autumn Dalton

      May 25, 2015 at 4:30 pm

      Crime brûlée! I didn't need to know it was this easy to make.

      Reply
    34. Go Away With Jae

      May 25, 2015 at 4:56 pm

      I've always wanted to try making Crème Brûlée, but was scared about the sugar part. The broiler bit would be convenient, but I'd be afraid the glass would blow up. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

      Reply
    35. beverly e

      May 25, 2015 at 6:49 pm

      I would love a heat gun for stripping furniture!

      Reply
    36. Barb

      May 25, 2015 at 11:06 pm

      I would definitely use it for Creme Brûlée! I cook with my four year old a ton, so I would feel comfortable having her "torch" with this little heat gun! What a great idea!

      Reply
    37. Roseanna

      May 26, 2015 at 6:41 am

      Creme Brûlée is my absolute favorite...using the heat gun us genius!

      Reply
    38. June Nelson

      May 26, 2015 at 8:59 am

      Yes I would love to win this. The Creme Brulee looks delicious.

      Reply
    39. Meghan

      May 26, 2015 at 10:01 am

      I would have look up how to distress furniture with the heat gun. I'm sure I will use it for the creme brûlée too since it's my fav!!

      Reply
    40. Jenna Herdman

      May 26, 2015 at 10:31 am

      I would use it for exactly what you did above as well as giving my wooden height measuring boards some colored accents.

      Reply
    41. Crystal

      May 26, 2015 at 11:32 am

      I would make a lot of creme brulee to eat whilst making shrinky dinks out of old scratched albums!

      Reply
    42. Crystal

      May 26, 2015 at 11:38 am

      I would make lots of creme brulee to eat whilst making shrinky dinks out of broken or scratched albums!

      Reply
    43. Rachel Blatchford

      May 26, 2015 at 1:44 pm

      Using your heat gun for creme brulee is brilliant! I've also always been intimidated by making creme brulee, and it was honestly because I didn't have a torch to carmelize he sugar on top. I would love to have one of these so I could make my dream creme brulee!

      Reply
    44. Marrla

      May 26, 2015 at 3:14 pm

      I would make this Crème Brulee! It doesn't look hard at all!
      Short of using a match winning this will be the only way I
      could caramelize
      the top!

      Reply
    45. Kim Wilson

      May 26, 2015 at 3:26 pm

      It doesn't matter the dessert offering at a restaurant... if they offer creme brulee then I order it.!!! To this day, I still think I make the best. ;)

      Reply
    46. JenD

      May 26, 2015 at 5:29 pm

      First use would have to be for this recipe of Creme Brûlée!

      Reply
    47. Sara

      May 26, 2015 at 5:41 pm

      I'd make this, and s'mores!

      Reply
    48. McKenzie

      May 26, 2015 at 11:21 pm

      Looks so delicious! Will try soon.

      Reply
    49. Terry Hirschi

      May 26, 2015 at 11:47 pm

      Genius! So much easier than a torch. I would use this in so many ways, but on Creme Brule? I can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    50. patty

      May 27, 2015 at 6:14 am

      I have never had creame burlee, but now I think I need to try.

      Reply
    51. Danielle

      May 28, 2015 at 2:49 pm

      I would definitely use it to make the top of this delicious and perfect!!!

      Reply
    52. Kaye Newman

      May 28, 2015 at 4:48 pm

      I would have never thought you could use a heat gun too make creme brûlée. I would definitely use it to make some.

      Reply
    53. JB Richards

      May 28, 2015 at 8:56 pm

      I love Creme Brulee. Never thought about using a heat gun to make it. What an awesome idea. I'd give it a try.

      Reply
    54. Michele

      May 29, 2015 at 12:20 am

      I think I would try it to make smores :)

      Reply
    55. Angela Cash

      May 29, 2015 at 10:59 am

      I would love to use this to try making the Anthropologie charred bookends.

      Reply
    56. Cindy B

      May 29, 2015 at 12:40 pm

      i would definitely try your recipe but also smores, too.

      Reply
    57. Laura

      July 07, 2016 at 6:49 pm

      I have never made creme brulee- yours looks fabulous!
      Thank you for sharing this at Thoughts of Home. We are so glad you are here.

      Reply
    58. Carolyn Calfee

      July 15, 2016 at 8:34 am

      Great gift - hope I win.

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. The Creative Exchange Linky Party #112 - Creations by Kara says:
      July 14, 2016 at 4:01 am

      […] Easy Creme Brule | Not Just a Housewife […]

      Reply
    2. The Creative Exchange Linky Party - Summer Scraps says:
      July 14, 2016 at 5:00 am

      […] Easy Creme Brule | Not Just a Housewife […]

      Reply

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    stacyHey! I'm Stacy and am a DIY addict. I love to get my hands dirty, whether it's sawdust, paint, or dirt. My goal is to help YOU learn to fix up your home and yard. No matter the style or size, I think everyone should love their home. And it doesn't takes a big budget to get there. Let's DIY together!

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