Indulge your senses with the luxurious delight of Orange Scented Crème Brûlée, a classic French dessert that transforms a simple evening into a gourmet experience! Imagine the creamy custard melting in your mouth, perfectly complemented by the zesty brightness of orange and the satisfying crack of caramelized sugar on top. Whether you're impressing dinner guests or treating yourself to a well-deserved sweet escape, this recipe is your ticket to culinary bliss. Get ready to unlock the secrets of this elegant dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs
Cuisine: French
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange
- Extra granulated sugar for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Prepare a large baking dish with a water bath by placing 4 ramekins inside and surrounding them with hot water about halfway up their sides.
- In a medium saucepan, combine heavy cream, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Heat over medium heat until it just begins to simmer, then remove from heat and let the mixture steep for 15 minutes to infuse the orange flavor.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk egg yolks with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes pale and slightly thickened, creating a smooth custard base.
- Slowly strain the warm cream mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from scrambling and to create a smooth custard.
- Carefully pour the custard mixture into the prepared ramekins, filling each to about three-quarters full.
- Place the baking dish with ramekins into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the custards are set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
- Remove ramekins from the water bath and allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to completely chill and set.
- Before serving, sprinkle a thin, even layer of granulated sugar on top of each custard. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until it turns golden brown and creates a crisp top.
- If you don't have a kitchen torch, place ramekins under a broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Let the caramelized sugar cool and harden for 1-2 minutes before serving. Garnish with a small orange zest curl if desired.
Tips
- Perfectly Infused Flavor: Allow the cream mixture to steep for a full 15 minutes after heating. This step is crucial for achieving that vibrant orange flavor that elevates your crème brûlée.
- Prevent Scrambling: When combining the warm cream with the egg yolks, pour the cream slowly and whisk continuously. This technique ensures a smooth custard without any scrambled bits.
- Testing for Doneness: To check if your custards are done, gently jiggle the ramekins. They should be set around the edges but still have a slight wobble in the center.
- Chill for Success: For the best texture, make sure to refrigerate the custards for at least 2 hours, or even overnight. This allows them to firm up perfectly.
- Caramelizing Sugar: If you don’t have a kitchen torch, broiling the sugar for just a few minutes can achieve a similar crispy top. Keep a close eye on it to avoid burning!
- Garnishing: A simple twist of orange zest not only adds a touch of elegance but also enhances the citrus aroma, making your dessert even more irresistible.
- Serving Tip: For a fun presentation, serve the crème brûlée in the ramekins with a small spoon for cracking the sugar crust, and watch your guests delight in the experience!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 572kcal
Carbohydrates: 40g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 49g
Saturated Fat: 30g
Cholesterol: 306mg
