If you are a fan of silky smooth desserts with a delightful coffee twist, this Coffee Crème Brûlée Recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine velvety custard infused with rich coffee flavor, topped with a perfectly caramelized sugar crust that cracks beautifully with every spoonful. It’s an elegantly simple dessert that feels both luxurious and comforting, guaranteed to impress your dinner guests or elevate a quiet night in. Let’s dive into how easy it is to create this coffee-infused classic that satisfies both coffee lovers and dessert enthusiasts alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully straightforward yet essential to achieving the perfect texture and flavor in this Coffee Crème Brûlée Recipe. Each one plays a crucial role in balancing creaminess, sweetness, and that bold coffee note.
- Thickened or heavy cream (2 cups / 500ml): Provides the rich, luscious base that makes the custard silky smooth.
- Egg yolks (5 large): Essential for thickening the custard and creating that classic creamy texture.
- Caster (superfine) sugar (½ cup / 100g): Adds sweetness and helps in forming that signature burnt sugar topping.
- Instant coffee granules (2 tablespoons): Infuses the custard with a deep, aromatic coffee flavor without overpowering it.
- Extra sugar for topping: Used to create that irresistible caramelized crust that cracks perfectly when you dig in.
How to Make Coffee Crème Brûlée Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by getting your oven ready at 160°C (140°C fan forced) or 320°F. Place 4 ramekins inside a large baking tray with high sides—this tray will act as a water bath later, which gently cooks your custard to perfection.
Step 2: Heat Cream and Sugar
In a saucepan over low heat, combine the cream and caster sugar. Stir occasionally until the sugar fully dissolves, and the cream is steaming. This slow warming ensures the sugar melts evenly, creating a smooth custard base.
Step 3: Melt in Coffee
Add the instant coffee granules to the steaming cream mixture and stir well. If any granules resist dissolving, press them against the pan’s side—this step releases the coffee’s full flavor right into your custard.
Step 4: Whisk Egg Yolks
In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks until they become pale and slightly thickened. This aeration helps the custard become silky and light rather than heavy and dense.
Step 5: Temper the Eggs
Place your bowl of yolks on a damp tea towel for stability. Slowly pour the hot cream mixture into the egg yolks while continuously whisking. Pouring gradually prevents the eggs from scrambling and ensures a smooth custard.
Step 6: Strain and Pour
Strain your combined mixture through a fine sieve into a pouring jug to catch any bits of cooked egg or undissolved coffee. Remove any froth on the surface for a pristine custard, then pour evenly into your prepared ramekins.
Step 7: Bake in a Water Bath
Carefully add hot water to your baking tray so it comes halfway up the sides of the ramekins. This gentle steam bath cooks the custard evenly and prevents cracking. Bake for about 30-50 minutes until the edges are set but the center still wobbles slightly like jelly.
Step 8: Cool and Chill
Lift the ramekins out of the water bath carefully and let them cool for 15 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to let the custard set completely and develop its flavors.
Step 9: Caramelize the Sugar Topping
When you’re ready to serve, sprinkle 1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar evenly on each custard, making sure the surface is completely covered. Use a kitchen blowtorch to caramelize the sugar until it forms a beautifully crisp, golden crust. Your Coffee Crème Brûlée Recipe is now ready to wow!
How to Serve Coffee Crème Brûlée Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a simple garnish can elevate this dessert further. Consider a light dusting of cocoa powder or a few coffee beans on top of the caramelized sugar for a charming coffeehouse vibe. Fresh mint leaves or a dollop of whipped cream provide a lovely contrast and a fresh pop of color.
Side Dishes
This rich and creamy Coffee Crème Brûlée pairs exceptionally well with fresh berries or a small fruit salad to brighten the palate. For an adult twist, a shot of espresso or a coffee-flavored liqueur complements the intense coffee flavor beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your Coffee Crème Brûlée in elegant glass jars or small vintage teacups for a charming presentation. You can also prepare individual portions in decorative ramekins with pretty patterns, making each serving feel extra special and inviting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Coffee Crème Brûlée can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep it covered to prevent it from absorbing any odors and preserve the creamy texture and delicate coffee flavor.
Freezing
Although crème brûlée custard texture is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the custard (before caramelizing the sugar topping) in airtight containers for up to one month. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before torching the sugar and serving.
Reheating
Reheating isn’t generally recommended for crème brûlée since the texture can suffer. Instead, allow refrigerated portions to come to room temperature slightly before caramelizing the sugar topping. This method preserves the custard’s silky consistency perfectly.
FAQs
Can I use brewed coffee instead of instant coffee granules?
Instant coffee granules dissolve easily and provide a concentrated flavor without extra liquid, which keeps the custard texture just right. Using brewed coffee may add too much moisture, which can affect the custard’s consistency. If you do use brewed coffee, reduce the cream slightly to compensate.
What if I don’t have a kitchen blowtorch?
No worries! You can place the ramekins under a hot broiler for a minute or two to caramelize the sugar topping. Watch closely to avoid burning. The blowtorch just offers more control and a perfectly even crust.
Why is my custard grainy or curdled?
This usually happens if the eggs are cooked too quickly or at too high a temperature. Making sure to temper the eggs by slowly adding the hot cream and baking in a water bath at low heat will keep your custard silky smooth.
Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?
Traditional crème brûlée relies on cream and eggs for texture, so it’s quite challenging to replicate perfectly vegan versions. However, experimenting with coconut cream and egg replacers can create a similar dessert, but expect a different texture and flavor profile.
How long can I prepare this dessert in advance?
You can make the custard and refrigerate it up to 24 hours before serving. Just wait to caramelize the sugar crust until right before eating to maintain that satisfying crack and crunch on top.
Final Thoughts
I cannot recommend this Coffee Crème Brûlée Recipe enough if you want a dessert that feels both indulgent and approachable. Its creamy coffee-infused custard paired with the crisp caramel top offers an unforgettable experience in every bite. Whether for a special occasion or a cozy night at home, take the plunge and make this classic with a caffeinated twist—you’ll be so glad you did!
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Coffee Crème Brûlée Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This Coffee Crème Brûlée is a decadent twist on the classic French dessert, infused with rich instant coffee for a deep, aromatic flavor. Featuring a creamy custard base topped with a crisp, caramelized sugar crust, this dessert is perfect for coffee lovers and special occasions. The slow baking in a water bath ensures a silky, smooth texture that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
Custard Ingredients
- 2 cups thickened cream or heavy cream (500ml)
- 5 large egg yolks
- ½ cup caster sugar (100g / 3.5oz)
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
Topping
- Extra caster sugar for caramelizing
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 160°C (140°C fan forced) or 320°F. Place four ramekins in a deep, flat-bottomed baking tray to prepare for a water bath.
- Make the coffee cream base: In a saucepan over low heat, combine the sugar and cream. Stir intermittently until the sugar dissolves completely. When the cream is steaming, add the instant coffee granules, pressing any that stick to the pan’s sides to dissolve fully. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Whisk egg yolks: In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks until they become pale and slightly thickened.
- Temper the eggs: Place the bowl on a damp tea towel to steady it. Slowly drizzle the hot coffee cream mixture into the egg yolks while continuously whisking to prevent scrambling and ensure a smooth custard base.
- Strain the mixture: Pour the mixture through a fine sieve into a pouring jug to remove any lumps or froth, ensuring a silky texture.
- Fill ramekins: Evenly pour the strained custard into the prepared ramekins placed in the baking tray.
- Add water bath: Carefully pour hot (not boiling) water into the baking tray around the ramekins until it reaches halfway up their sides to create a gentle, even heat during baking.
- Bake the custards: Place the tray carefully in the oven and bake for 30 to 50 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers have a slight jelly-like wobble.
- Cool and refrigerate: Remove the ramekins from the water bath with care. Let them cool on a rack for 15 minutes, then cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight to fully set.
- Caramelize the topping: Before serving, sprinkle 1-2 teaspoons of caster sugar over each custard, ensuring the surface is fully covered. Use a kitchen blowtorch to caramelize the sugar until golden and crisp.
- Serve: Serve immediately once the sugar has melted and hardened to enjoy the perfect contrast of textures.
Notes
- Use a water bath (bain-marie) to gently cook the custard and prevent curdling.
- Instant coffee granules dissolve easily and impart a strong coffee flavor; adjust quantity if a milder taste is preferred.
- Ramekins should be approximately 6-ounce capacity to accommodate custard portions.
- Check custards starting at 30 minutes to avoid over-baking; times may vary based on oven.
- Allow chilling time to ensure the custards set completely before caramelizing the topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
