Dreamy Coffee Crème Brûlée Recipe: Silky Sweet Indulgence

Rich, creamy desserts always spark joy, and this coffee crème brûlée recipe delivers pure indulgence.

Silky custard infused with deep coffee notes promises a luxurious experience.

Elegant yet simple, the dessert combines classic French technique with bold espresso undertones.

Professional pastry chefs and home cooks alike adore this sophisticated treat.

Each spoonful brings a harmonious blend of smooth custard and caramelized sugar.

The delicate crack of the burnt sugar top reveals a velvety coffee-infused interior that melts perfectly on your tongue.

Dive into this decadent dessert and savor every extraordinary moment.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes

Calories: 396 kcal

Servings: 5

Coffee Crème Brûlée Ingredient Breakdown

• Heavy Cream: Luxurious foundation creating silky smooth texture, choose high-fat content cream for richer mouthfeel.
• Sugar: Sweetens and balances coffee's intense flavor, opt for fine granulated type for smooth dissolution.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity, brightens sweet notes subtly.

• Instant Espresso Powder: Delivers deep coffee essence, select high-quality brand for robust taste.
• Kahlua: Adds sophisticated coffee liqueur depth, ensures smooth flavor integration.

• Egg Yolks: Provides creamy consistency and structural support, select fresh room-temperature eggs for best results.

Tools for Making Coffee Crème Brûlée

• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for whisking egg yolks and combining ingredients smoothly.
• Medium Saucepan: Perfect for gently heating and dissolving cream mixture.
• Ramekins (4): Crucial for individual serving and baking custards.
• 9×9 Baking Pan: Needed for water bath technique while baking.
• Fine Mesh Sieve: Helps strain custard for silky smooth texture.
• Kitchen Torch: Vital for creating crispy caramelized sugar topping.
• Measuring Cup or Bowl with Spout: Helps pour custard evenly into ramekins.
• Wire Rack: Used for cooling custards after baking.
• Small Bowl: For dissolving espresso powder in Kahlua.
• Whisk: Necessary for blending and tempering egg yolks.

How to Cook Coffee Crème Brûlée Smoothly

Coffee Crème Brûlée

• Water Bath Setup

Arrange ramekins inside a large baking pan and prepare hot water for gentle cooking process. Position oven rack centrally and warm to moderate temperature.

• Cream Infusion

Gently heat cream with sugar, creating smooth liquid base with delicate sweetness. Stir carefully to ensure sugar completely dissolves without scorching.

• Egg Integration

Whisk egg yolks carefully, slowly introducing warm cream mixture while continuously mixing. This technique prevents scrambling and ensures silky texture.

• Espresso Enhancement

Mix coffee essence using Kahlua and instant espresso, blending into cream mixture. Strain custard through fine sieve to guarantee ultra-smooth consistency.

• Gentle Baking

Pour custard into ramekins, surrounding with hot water. Bake until centers wobble slightly when touched, indicating perfect creamy interior.

• Cooling and Chilling

Allow custards to rest at room temperature, then refrigerate for several hours. This step develops rich flavor and sets delicate texture.

• Caramel Topping

Sprinkle sugar across surface, using culinary torch to create crisp golden crust. Serve immediately for maximum sensory experience.

Tips to Flavor Coffee Crème Brûlée Just Right

• Adjust the espresso powder amount to control the coffee strength. More powder creates a bolder coffee flavor, while less provides a subtle hint of caffeine.
• Prepare the custards up to two days in advance, making this dessert perfect for dinner parties or special gatherings. Caramelize the sugar topping just before serving to maintain the crisp caramel layer.
• Experiment with different liqueurs like Baileys Irish Cream or rum to create unique taste variations. Each alcohol adds a distinctive twist to the classic crème brûlée profile.
• Without a kitchen torch, place ramekins under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. Rotate the dish to ensure even caramelization of the sugar topping.
• Ensure a silky smooth custard by straining the mixture and using a gentle water bath during baking. Avoid overheating, which can cause a grainy or curdled texture in the dessert.

Serving Coffee Crème Brûlée Elegantly

• Elegant Coffee Companion: Pair this luxurious dessert with a shot of smooth espresso to enhance the coffee notes and create a sophisticated flavor experience.
• Sweet Garnish Magic: Top with delicate chocolate-covered espresso beans or a light dusting of cocoa powder to add visual appeal and extra coffee intensity.
• Textural Contrast Plate: Serve alongside crisp almond biscotti or thin butter cookies that will complement the creamy custard and provide a delightful crunch between bites.
• Seasonal Berry Accent: Garnish with fresh raspberries or a small mint leaf to introduce a bright, fresh element that cuts through the rich, creamy dessert profile.

How to Store Coffee Crème Brûlée Properly

• Fridge Friendly Finale: Store the prepared Coffee Crème Brûlée tightly covered in ramekins for up to 2 days, keeping the delicate custard fresh and creamy in the refrigerator.
• Smart Advance Preparation: Craft these elegant desserts one day before your dinner party, allowing the flavors to develop and giving you stress-free party planning.
• Temperature Transition Tips: Always remove the chilled custards from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before caramelizing the sugar topping, ensuring optimal texture and smooth caramelization.
• Cracking Caramel Strategy: Sprinkle and caramelize the sugar topping just before serving to maintain the signature crisp, golden-brown crust that provides delightful textural contrast to the silky custard underneath.

Silky Coffee Crème Brûlée Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

French coffee crème brûlée celebrates rich espresso notes in a classic dessert. Caramelized sugar crust and creamy custard create a luxurious finale for coffee enthusiasts you will savor completely.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (473 ml) heavy cream
• 5 large egg yolks
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar (for topping)
• 1 tbsp instant espresso powder
• 1 tbsp Kahlua (coffee liqueur)
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• hot water (for water bath)

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Instructions

1. Preparation Setup: Position ramekins inside a 9×9 baking pan, center the oven rack at 300°F (150°C), and simultaneously bring a kettle of water to a boil.
2. Cream Infusion: Gently heat cream with sugar and salt in a saucepan until sugar dissolves completely, creating a smooth, homogeneous mixture.
3. Custard Base: Whisk egg yolks vigorously, then gradually introduce warm cream while continuously whisking to prevent curdling, ensuring a silky custard foundation.
4. Coffee Enhancement: Dissolve instant espresso powder in Kahlua, creating an intense coffee essence. Blend into the cream mixture and strain through a fine mesh sieve for impeccable smoothness.
5. Baking Process: Evenly distribute custard across ramekins, pour hot water into the baking pan until it reaches midway up the ramekin sides, then bake for 30-40 minutes until custards set with a subtle center wobble.
6. Cooling and Chilling: Remove ramekins from the water bath, cool completely on a wire rack for 4 hours, then refrigerate covered for a minimum of 2 hours to develop maximum flavor and achieve optimal chilling.
7. Caramelization Finale: Just before serving, dust each custard generously with sugar, tilting to create an even layer. Use a kitchen torch to transform the sugar into a crisp, golden-brown crust, ensuring an immediate serve to maintain the delightful contrast between crackling caramel and creamy custard.

Notes

• Prevent Curdling: Slowly add warm cream to egg yolks while constantly whisking to avoid scrambling and maintain smooth texture.
• Water Bath Precision: Use boiling water that reaches halfway up ramekin sides for even, gentle heat distribution during baking.
• Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to develop deep flavors and ensure proper custard consistency.
• Caramelization Technique: Evenly dust sugar and use kitchen torch at close range, moving constantly to create a uniform golden-brown caramel crust without burning.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Drinks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 396
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 20 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 211 mg