White Chocolate Crème Brûlée
This luscious White Chocolate Crème Brûlée is a decadent twist on the classic custard with a crusted sugar topping! A rich, delicious dessert for any special occasion.
Learn How to Make Crème Brûlée so that you can serve this restaurant-worthy dessert at home!
Why You Must Make this Crème Brûlée
- It’s super creamy and utterly delicious!
- This recipe is based on Le Cirque’s recipe and, according to my husband, this is better than any restaurant version he’s tasted!
- It’s a wonderful way to enjoy white chocolate!!
The first time I made this dreamy White Chocolate Crème Brûlée, I inadvertently got a crème brûlée facial in the process (when removing one of the custards from the water bath). It was definitely worth repeating minus the drenching. While we had a stash in the fridge, Bill was quick to let me know how fabulous it tasted. I must agree, it’s super creamy and utterly delicious!
Expert Tips:
Since classic creme brulee is one of Bill’s favorite desserts, I’ve made it dozens and dozens of times. Here are some tips I’ve learned along the way:
- PRO-Tip: Slowly drizzle the hot cream into the egg mixture while whisking constantly. Start with just a few drops at a time. If you go too fast the eggs will curdle. Then when you strain the mixture, all the egg that should be giving the creme brulee its structure will be tossed out in the form of scrambled eggs (been there, done that)!
- Baking times will differ depending on the type of ramekins you use. The deeper round versions (affiliate links) 4 oz. Porcelain Ramekins) will take longer than the flat, oblong dishes ( Creme Brûlee Ramekin Set) (affiliate links).
- PRO-Tip: Bake in a bain marie or water bath. This allows the custard to bake at a consistent temperature, ensuring you have a silky, creamy result.
- I use a deep dish pizza pan or my roaster for my bain marie. The handles on the roaster are handy for moving the water-filled pan in and out of the oven more easily.
- For the burnt sugar topping, I use sugar in the raw or Turbinado Sugar. Brown sugar would work too, but I’d suggest leaving it out to dry for a few hours before sprinkling it over the custard.
- You can use your broiler to melt the sugar, just make sure to watch it carefully so the sugar doesn’t burn. You want it melted and lightly browned.
- I like using a Culinary Torch to brulee the sugar. You have much more control compared to the broiler.
- PRO-Tip: Save your leftover egg whites to make a pavlova, meringue cookies or macaroons! And here’s a link to 50 Egg White Recipes!
Frequently Asked Questions
Crème Brûlée is a rich, baked vanilla custard that has a thin, crisp burnt sugar topping. No one is certain of the exact origin, but the first printed recipe was in a French cookbook dated 1691, and the chef at Versailles made it like we do today. Well, except he didn’t have a mini torch or oven broiler to melt the sugar topping!
Custards and Puddings are made from similar ingredients, but custards are usually baked and puddings are usually cooked on the stovetop. Puddings may contain starch like flour or cornstarch in addition to eggs to thicken. Due to these differences, custards are flat-topped, firmer, and puddings are fluffier.
It can be served warm, room temperature, or cold. When I discovered the Le Cirque crème brûlée recipe years ago, this dessert immediately became a family favorite. We always serve both versions cold.
Overcooking any custard will amplify the eggy flavor. If the internal temperature goes above 175°, there may be more of an eggy or sulphuric taste.
Make sure to remove them from the oven when the very center of the custards still have a slight jiggle. There will be carryover cooking time from the residual heat of the ramekins to finish the job.
You May Also Like:
- Custard Peach Pie from Christina’s Cucina
- Italian Chocolate Pudding
- Blueberry Peach Custard Pie
- Apple Crumble with Custard
- Vanilla Flan
- Plus, you’ll love this Creme Brulee Cheesecake!
- All my Best Dessert Recipes
White Chocolate Crème Brûlée
A twist on the classic creme brulee with the addition of white chocolate!
Ingredients
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/4 -1/3 cup sugar (white chocolate is very sweet so you may prefer the smaller amount of sugar)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 4 ounces whited chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- Turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw)
- Berries and fresh mint to garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300º.
- Whisk together yolks and sugar in a medium bowl. In a saucepan, heat cream to a simmer. Add white chocolate to cream and whisk until chocolate melts.
- Drizzle a few tablespoons of cream/chocolate mixture into the yolks, whisking constantly to prevent the egg from cooking. Add the rest of the cream to the yolks and whisk to combine.
- Strain liquid through a sieve into a large glass measuring cup. Pour into four 6-ounce ramekins. Place ramekins into a baking pan and pour hot water into the pan so that it is 1-1 1/2 deep.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes or till centers only jiggles slightly when moved. Remove ramekins from the water bath (carefully!!). Cool, then refrigerate till chilled.
- To serve, sprinkle with turbinado sugar and broil for 3-4 minutes until the sugar is caramelized or melt sugar with a kitchen torch.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Ghirardelli.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 698Total Fat: 56gSaturated Fat: 34gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 325mgSodium: 64mgCarbohydrates: 43gFiber: 3gSugar: 38gProtein: 9g
129 Comments on “White Chocolate Crème Brûlée”
This was so delicious. I love the addition of white chocolate. Can’t wait to make it again.
This is such an amazing dessert! Everyone loved it! Thanks for the recipe!
I never knew how much I loved white chocolate until now!
This is my absolute favorite dessert in the world. White chocolate truly made it delicious. Will surely make it again. So good.
I loved it! Such a gorgeous dessert!!
A terrific idea with the white chocolate! Delicious!
This was absolutely delicious, will definitely make again!
I could eat this everyday!
No, just, No, Liz. There are 4 of “that” and one of me. Man, that Crème Brûlée looks delicious. What I must compliment you on profusely are the well-thought-out tips/hints/instructions that you often add to your posts. I always read them carefully and adopt many of them to my everyday cooking. I am not well-trained nor an expert in the kitchen nor did I ever take HomeEc in school (do they still offer that?) so I just am still learning the basics as I move along. Keep at it, please, and I’ll keep at it, promise.
Another stunning dessert. I love that this is gluten free so everyone can enjoy the same dessert for the holiday or other special occasion. I’ve never made creme brulee at home, but I feel confident I could do it right with the tips you shared. Thanks, Liz!!
This is the prettiest creme brûlée ever! Such a perfect dessert for the holidays 🙂
Nice innovation on the conventional creme brulee recipe!! Thanks for sharing!!!
This Crème Brûlée looks heavenly!!I would have raided your stash too! It wouldn’t have lasted very long!
This is such a gorgeous dessert! I can’t wait to try it Liz!
That creme brulee looks perfect! Creamy with that yummy crunch that I love!
What a drool worthy dessert. I love creme brûlée but have never been brave enough to make my own.
I’m in love with your creme brulee, babe! Gonna try making one of these days………. xoxo
Great tips Liz! You dish looks like perfect Creme Brulee!
Creme brûlée is a universal winner but can be a little tricky. Thanks for all these great tips Liz!
This looks so good Liz. I’m so sorry to hear about your blogging friend. Cancer takes everyone too early – hopefully someday soon we will find a cure.