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Easy Vanilla Earl Grey Crème Brûlée…sweet, creamy, and extra crackly. Crème brûlée infused with warming, citrusy earl grey tea and sweet vanilla bean for a deliciously cozy twist on the classic French dessert. Finish each baked custard with a dusting of sugar and caramelize it until the sugar slowly burns into a beautiful crackly brûlée top. Use a spoon to crack into the creamy custard base. Every last spoonful is creamy with just the slightest bit of crunch – truly delicious. Bonus? It’s simpler to make than you’d think, and so very pretty…with very little effort.
You guys!! I finally made crème brûlée! This has been a “bucket” list recipe for me for ages. In December I told myself, I’m going to make crème brûlée…and then I talked myself out of it. My biggest hesitation has always been with the fact that crème brûlée is just that, it’s crème brûlée. Everyone has a recipe for it. But what would make mine different and just a little more special?
That’s how I think of recipes, how can I make something just a touch more special?
In terms of crème brûlée, I knew I wanted to be able to keep it pretty classic and simple. The thing I love most about crème brûlée is the warm, crackly brûlée top and then the creamy custard underneath. I didn’t want any of that to change, so I knew whatever my twist would be, it needed to be subtle.
For the longest time I just didn’t have a good idea, so I guess that’s why I held off on creating a crème brûlée recipe for you guys.
But then a couple of weeks ago, I finally figured it out.
Do you guys remember that Earl Grey Blueberry Lemon Cake? It’s delicious, if you have yet to make it, you should definitely give it a try.
Anyway, I was steeping the milk for that recipe and that got me thinking about what else I could infuse a little earl grey tea into. And then it hit, what about crème brûlée?
The second I thought about it, I knew I at least had to test it out. So I did, then I made a few little tweaks, and now we’ve got this easy vanilla earl grey crème brûlée
Here are the details.
Despite what you might think, crème brûlée is actually very simple and easy to make.
First, you’ll steep the cream and earl grey tea. I like to use four tea bags, but if you want a very subtle earl grey flavor, use three bags. Allow the tea to steep for ten or so minutes.
While the tea is steeping, I like to mix the eggs with a bit of sugar. Then, you’ll pour the hot tea-infused cream into the eggs. The key here is to consistently whisk the yolks with the hot cream., You don’t want to end up with scrambled eggs!
Divide the batter between oven-safe ramekins and bake. It really is as simple as that. Once the custards come out of the oven, let them chill for at least four hours or oven night. They will be jiggly, but once chilled, they will be perfect.
And lastly, that brûléed sugar topping…the best part!
Just sprinkle some granulated sugar over each custard, then use your broiler or a blow torch to caramelize the sugar. As the sugar heats, it melts down and will then harden.
Use a spoon to crack into each crème brûlée and then enjoy immediately while the top is still warm and the underneath is a nice cool creamy custard.
This is one of those desserts that really is delicious with every last spoonful.
And that’s it…simple, pretty, perfectly sweet, so creamy, but with just the right crinkly, crackled top…SO GOOD! Every bite is subtly sweet, creamy, and hinted with vanilla, plus citrusy notes of lemon and orange.
Perfection beyond belief.
Happiest Tuesday night baking to you all! Hope you guys all enjoy this twist on crème brûlée.
Looking for other fun dessert recipes? Here are some favorites:
Salted Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookie Snickers Bars
Healthier Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies
Chocolate Chunk Almond Butter Zucchini Bread
Lastly, if you make this easy vanilla earl grey crème brûlée. be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Easy Vanilla Earl Grey Crème Brûlée
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 696 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3-4 bags earl grey tea
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1/3 cup plus 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions
- 1. Bring the cream and salt to a low boil in a small saucepan until steaming. Remove from the heat. Add the tea bags, cover, and steep for 10-15 minutes. Remove the tea bags, gently squeezing the bags to release a bit more tea into the cream. Discard the tea bags. 2. Arrange an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325• F. Bring 4-6 cups of water to a boil.3. Whisk together the egg yolks and 1/3 cup sugar (use 1/2 cup for a sweeter palate) in a medium bowl until combined. 4. Place the steeped cream over medium heat and gently warm until steaming. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. In a slow stream, whisk about 1/2 cup of the cream into the egg yolks, whisking constantly so they don’t scramble. Whisk in the remaining cream. 5. Place the ramekins inside a large lasagna-style baking dish. Divide the batter between 4 (6 ounce) ramekins or 3 (8-ounce). Fill the dish with boiling water halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 30 (smaller ramekins) to 40 minutes (larger ramekins), until centers are barely set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 4 hours and up to a couple of days.6. When ready to eat, top each with 1-2 teaspoons of sugar. Place the ramekins under the broiler and broil until the sugar melts, browns, and then blackens a little, about 5 minutes. Or use a blow torch. Crackle that sugar and enjoy immediately 🙂
I’m making this for my friend’s birthday and decided to do a trial run first. These turned out excellent, and I was surprised at how easy making creme brulee was! The hardest part is waiting for them to cool down ;D I used 4 teabags and may try making it with 5 because I’m not sure if I could pick up the earl grey flavor…I could definitely taste the vanilla. I would also love to try this using matcha tea! Another tip is to closely watch your cream while you’re bringing it to a boil. In my first attempt, I wasn’t paying attention and it ended up overflowing and making a huge mess on my stove! 🙂
Hey Jessica,
Fantastic!! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Happy Friday:) xTieghan
I used 4 ounce ramekins and the recipe made 8. I used two tea bags and 1/2 cup sugar and they were prefect! Thank you for the recipe.
Hey Sheryl,
So so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! Happy Sunday:) xTieghan
Do you have the measurements for 6 servings? I’m not sure how much cream, yolks or sugar to use.
Hey Claire,
If you want to make 6 servings just do the recipe plus half of the ingredients. Or just double the recipe and make 8 servings:) xTieghan
Hi! Can you advise as to the increase in ingredients for 6 servings? Making these for tonight! Thank you 🙂
Hey Claire,
I would just do 1 1/2 of the ingredients listed. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Is it necessary to refrigerate for 4 hours before eating?
Hey there,
Yes, that step is required. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I made this for easter and it turned out amazing!! My new favorite dessert to make!
Hey Hali,
I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
Do you let them cool in the water or do you remove them right of the oven?
Hey Kim,
I like to remove them from the water since that water is super hot. I hope you enjoy this dessert, please let me know how it turns out! xTieghan
Really nice flavour, but I found the cooking times to be way off. Cooked for almost 20 mins longer as the centres were still totally liquid despite following the instructions precisely. Not a big deal, still turned out to be a lovely dessert!
Hey Emily,
So sorry you had issues with the cook times. Thanks for trying the recipe! xTieghan
Delicious! Tried using Lemon infused sugar on the top and it was amazing!
Hey Sarah,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am delighted that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
This was super yummy but I’m not sure if I’m not baking long enough because the cream brûlée seems to become liquid after I place it under the broiler. I’ve made it twice so far and I’ll keep trying to perfect it. Any idea why my cream brûlée becomes so liquidy? Thanks for the recipe!
Hey Sausan,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am delighted that it was enjoyed! Are you allowing the creme brûlée to fully cool before caramelizing the sugar? xTieghan
How I wish you have saved your stories of this magnificent recipe on Instagram!
I hope you love the recipe Jess! xTieghan
Made this last night & it was wonderful! Will make again!
Hey Jessica,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan, fabulous recipe, thank you. Can you tell me what is the spoon you’ve used to sprinkle the sugar over the custard? I love old cutlery pieces and have never seen one like this.
Thanks so much Helen! Unfortunately, I do not have a link for that spoon. I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Should they cool completely in the water or would you take them out?
Hey Samantha,
I would remove from the water and even pop them in the fridge to completely cool. I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
I just made this! It didn’t brulee under our broiler (I hate our oven) so I’m definitely going to get a torch for next time. I have lavender earl grey tea and used that and it was amazing! Also, I’m doing keto so I just swapped the sugar for some regular lakanto monk fruit sweetener and it came out perfectly! It’s so nice to have a decadent dessert that fits within my diet and doesn’t feel like a cheap imitation of what I really want. The earl grey is so unique and I look forward to making variations on it like with chai!
Hey there,
I am absolutely delighted that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks for making it! Have the best week☀️ xTieghan