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Expert tips and tricks to creating perfectly burnt crust on your crème brûlée
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Crème brûlée is a French dessert that literally means “scorched cream.” The chilled custard dessert has a sugar topping that is caramelized using a culinary torch, which is a mini blowtorch. If you do not have a blowtorch handy to torch crème brûlée, you can place the crème brûlée under a broiler. However, the sugar topping may not caramelize as evenly, and the custard is more likely to heat up. Here are instructions for adding the crunchy topping to crème brûlée using either method.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Caramelizing Crème Brûlée With a Blowtorch

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  1. Step 1 Buy a culinary torch from a kitchen supplies retailer for approximately $30.
    Watermark wikiHow to Torch Creme Brulee
    The torch is fueled by butane, which is usually sold separately.
  2. Step 2 Remove the chilled crème brûlée from the refrigerator right before you are ready to torch it.
    Watermark wikiHow to Torch Creme Brulee
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Torch Creme Brulee
    [1]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Torch Creme Brulee
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Torch Creme Brulee
    Hold the flame approximately 2 inches (5 centimeters) away from the sugar, and move it back and forth or in circles across the surface. As the sugar heats, it will turn brown and bubble.[2]
    • Concentrate the flame around the edges of the crème brûlée first, and then do the center. Although the center is typically darker than around the edges, you don’t want the sugar to burn too much.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Torch Creme Brulee
    The sugar quickly begins to soften, and you want the caramelized sugar to have a nice crackle when you break into it with the edge of a spoon.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Caramelizing Crème Brûlée With a Broiler

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Torch Creme Brulee
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Torch Creme Brulee
    [3]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Torch Creme Brulee
    Remove the crème brûlée from the freezer, and sprinkle granulated sugar evenly over the top until it is completely covered.[4]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Torch Creme Brulee
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Torch Creme Brulee
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Torch Creme Brulee
    Broil the crème brûlée for 1 minute, and then rotate the pan and broil for another 1 to 2 minutes, or until the sugar is browned.[5]
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Tips

  • Although a culinary torch is commonly used to torch crème brûlée, it can also be useful to have one on hand to make other desserts, melt cheese or toast a breadcrumb topping, as well as to do crafts and home repairs.
  • If you cannot serve the crème brûlée immediately after the sugar is caramelized, place it in the freezer for up to 15 minutes to keep it chilled.
  • Some culinary torches have built-in fuel gauges. One butane canister will last at least an hour.
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Warnings

  • Keep the flame on the blowtorch moving because lingering in one spot too long will cause the sugar to burn.
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Things You’ll Need

  • Culinary torch
  • Butane
  • Granulated sugar
  • Shallow pan

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About This Article

Maria Short
Reviewed by:
Baker
This article was reviewed by Maria Short. Maria Short is a Baker and the Owner of Short N Sweet Bakery & Cafe in Hilo, Hawaii. With over 24 years of experience, she specializes in specialty desserts and wedding cakes. She graduated from L’Academie de Cuisine’s Pastry Arts Program with honors and studied at Baltimore International Culinary College. In 2019, Maria competed in the 6th season of the Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship. In 2010, she had a cake named one of “America’s Most Beautiful Cakes” by Brides magazine. This article has been viewed 101,144 times.
24 votes - 70%
Co-authors: 7
Updated: July 18, 2024
Views: 101,144
Categories: Food Preparation
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 101,144 times.

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