Crème brulee can be literally translated to mean burnt cream in English. It is a dessert dish, French in origin and consists of a custard base with a contrasting hard topping prepared from caramel. Crème brulee is enjoyed in other parts of Europe as well although the name of the dish varies according to the region. The Trinity cream refers to the same dish in England while it is the crème Catalana in Catalan cuisine of Spain.

The crème brulee recipe recommends using vanilla to flavor the custad base although various other alternatives like the orange or lemon zest, raspberry, coffee, chocolate, liqueurs and a host of other fruits are used to flavor the dish as well. Crème brulee is generally served cold after the end of a traditional meal.

History Of Crème Brulee Recipe

The exact origin of the crème brulee recipe remains unknown with the very first mention of the dish being made in François Massialot's cookbook of 1691. The name was changed to crème anglaise in the later edition which went on to be called burnt cream in eighteenth century England.

The crème brulee was reinvented by Trinity Colege, Cambride when the dessert was presented as Trinity cream with the college emblem being molded on top of the dish wit the aid of a branding iron.

Ingredients And Crème Brulee Recipe

The traditional crème brulee recipe calls for some heavy cream and granulated sugar. Vanila pods for flavoring the custard as well as egg yolks are the only ingredients needed for preparing the crème brulee.

The procedure for baking the crème brulee initiates with the oven being adjusted to 300F. Several ramekins are required to be placed along side in a baking dish. The ramekins are also required to remain a little separate with a few inches gap left between each of them.

The sugar and the cream are mixed with each other thoroughly by placing them over a medium flame and stirring continuously. Vanilla pods halved and the seeds put into the container will ensure that the flavor gets infused into the custard as well. The ready to use flavors are generally preferred now instead of extracting the flavor from the vanilla pods.

The egg yolks need to be whisked to a creamy consistency as well with the remainder of the cream being added to cool the mixture. Boiling water is then poured around the ramekins which are filled with the mixture and baked for about half an hour. The crème brulee recipe recommends keeping the dessert refrigerated before being served. The final touch to a crème brulee only comes after the granulated sugar is sprinkled on top and caramelized with the help of a propane blowtorch. The crème brulee is required to be chilled once again before it can be served.

The traditional crème brulee recipe does not call for any other decoration on top of the caramelized layer of crème brulee. However, a few chocolate shavings or slices of fruits and colored candies are often used to enhance the look of the crème brulee.

Variations Of Crème Brulee Recipe

While the original dessert of crème brulee is delicious and serves as a fitting end to a traditional meal, there may be some variations to the dish as well for reasons of health and variety. The most popular variations of the crème brulee are:-

• Oatmeal Brulee- Baked with oatmeal, brown sugar and egg yolks.
• Pumpkin Variety- Made with pumpkin and flavored with ginger and cinnamon.
• Chocolate Brulee- Chocolate custard toped with a hard caramel crust.
• Amaretto Crème Brulee- Baked with Amaretto non dairy cream and flavored with mint sprigs and raspberries. This recipe for crème brulee uses cornstarch as well.
• Crème Catalana- A Catalan day traditionally consumed on St. Joseph’s day, it is flavored with citrus fruits and cinnamon. The caramelized crust is created by an iron broiler and not a blowtorch.
• Crème brulee French Toast- A sweet baked dish which includes bread slices smothered in butter, brown sugar and custard. Usually served hot unlike the traditional dessert with sugar sprinkled on the top.

Crème Brulee Nutrition Facts

The overly sweet dessert is quite high in calories with high cholesterol as well. It also contains a good amount of Vitamin A and C especially when enhanced with citrus fruits or berries. Calcium and iron amounts are adequate in the dessert and it can be enjoyed in moderation particularly in the winter. The dessert can be made healthier by substituting low fat cream and sugar alternatives as well.

Trivia

• Radio Crème Brulee is an Internet Radio station based out of boston. It was launched in 2007.
• A 2005 movie directed by David Stanley was called Crème Brulee.
• Crème Brulee is also the name of a New Yoek based rock and pop music group.