Creme brulee

Creme Brulee

Creme brulee (also known as burnt cream, crema catalana, or Trinity cream) is a dessert consisting of a rich custard base topped with a contrasting layer of hard caramel. It is normally served slightly chilled; the heat from the caramelizing process tends to warm the custard producing a cool center. The custard base is traditionally flavored with vanilla, but can also be flavored with lemon or orange (zest), rosemary, chocolate, coffee, liqueurs, green tea, pistachio, hazelnut, coconut, or other fruit.

History

The exact origins of creme brulee are uncertain. France, England, and Spain each claim to be the birthplace of this dessert. The name "creme brulee" is French, meaning "burnt cream," which could suggest a French origin. However, the dessert is also very similar to the English dessert Trinity cream and the Spanish dessert crema catalana, adding to the confusion.

Preparation

Creme brulee is made by combining egg yolks, cream, and sugar to create a custard, which is then baked in a water bath to ensure even cooking. After the custard has cooled, a layer of sugar is sprinkled on top and caramelized using a kitchen torch or broiler. The caramelized sugar forms a hard shell on top of the custard, which must be cracked with a spoon to be eaten.

Variations

There are many variations of creme brulee, including versions with different flavors of custard, such as chocolate or coffee, and versions with different types of sugar for the caramelized topping. Some versions also include a layer of fruit or other ingredients between the custard and the caramelized sugar.

See also

• List of custard desserts
• List of French desserts