The Silky Coffee Crème Brûlée Recipe: A Sweet Twist on Classic

Smooth and decadent coffee creme brulee beckons dessert enthusiasts with its rich, silky allure.

Custard lovers find themselves drawn to this classic French treat’s elegant simplicity.

Delicate layers of creamy pudding hide beneath a crackling caramelized sugar surface that shatters dramatically with each spoon.

Deep espresso notes weave through the luxurious base, creating a sophisticated dessert experience.

Unexpected depth emerges from simple ingredients carefully combined with precision.

Professional pastry techniques become accessible through this straightforward recipe that promises restaurant-quality results.

You’ll feel like a master chef after mastering this impressive finale to any meal.

Coffee Creme Brulee: Indulgence with a Caffeine Kick

• Craft Gourmet Experience: Elevate your dessert game with this sophisticated coffee-infused creme brulee that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality treat.
• Quick Impressive Dessert: Impress guests with minimal effort by creating a luxurious dessert that looks complex but requires straightforward preparation steps.
• Customizable Coffee Delight: Experiment with different coffee intensities by adjusting ground coffee amounts, making this recipe adaptable to personal taste preferences.
• Elegant Make-Ahead Option: Prepare the custard in advance and caramelize the sugar topping just before serving, perfect for stress-free entertaining and dinner parties.

Must-Have Ingredients for Coffee Creme Brulee Magic

• Heavy Cream: A rich dairy product that provides the creamy base for the custard and carries the coffee flavor.
• Egg Yolks: The key ingredient that helps create the smooth, silky texture of the custard.
• Ground Coffee: Adds a deep, aromatic coffee flavor to the classic creme brulee.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the custard and provides the base for the caramelized topping.

• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet notes.

• Light Brown Sugar: Creates the signature crisp, caramelized topping that cracks when tapped with a spoon.

Preparing Creamy Coffee Creme Brulee at Home

Step 1: Create Cozy Oven Setup

Warm your oven to 325F.

Arrange four ramekins inside a large roasting pan, creating a perfect stage for your dessert.

Step 2: Brew Coffee-Infused Cream

• Heavy cream
• Ground coffee

Heat gently over medium warmth, stirring occasionally.

When tiny bubbles appear, remove from heat and let the coffee and cream mingle for 10 minutes, releasing rich flavors.

Step 3: Whip Silky Egg Base

Grab a mixing bowl and whisk egg yolks with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and develops a light, pale color.

Step 4: Blend Cream and Egg Mixture

Carefully strain the coffee-infused cream through a fine-mesh sieve into the egg mixture.

Whisk continuously to prevent any scrambling and create a silky smooth custard.

Step 5: Enhance With Vanilla

Pour in vanilla extract and stir gently to distribute the aromatic flavor throughout the custard.

Step 6: Fill Ramekin Vessels

Distribute the creamy mixture evenly among the waiting ramekins, ensuring each gets an equal share of deliciousness.

Step 7: Create Water Bath

Pour hot water into the roasting pan, submerging the ramekins halfway to create a gentle cooking environment.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes.

The custard should look set but still have a gentle jiggle in the center when softly shaken.

Step 9: Chill and Rest

Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the custard to firm up and develop its signature smooth texture.

Step 10: Caramelize Crunchy Topping

Just before serving, sprinkle a light layer of brown sugar across the top.

Use a kitchen torch to transform the sugar into a golden, crackling caramel crust that shatters with each spoon.

Tricks for Smooth and Perfectly Torched Coffee Creme Brulee

• Choose freshly ground, medium-roast coffee beans for the richest, most balanced flavor in your creme brulee.
• Use a fine-mesh strainer when transferring the coffee-infused cream to prevent coffee grounds from entering the final custard.
• Use hot water that’s around 150-160F to ensure even, gentle cooking and prevent the custard from cracking or becoming rubbery.
• Hold the kitchen torch 2-3 inches away from the sugar and move continuously to create an even, golden-brown caramel layer without burning.
• Allow the creme brulee to chill for at least 4 hours or overnight for the best texture and flavor development.

Fun Flavors to Try in Your Coffee Creme Brulee

• Espresso Intensity: Replace ground coffee with strong espresso powder for a more robust coffee flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Dream: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk and use coconut sugar for caramelization, creating a vegan-friendly version.
• Mocha Magic: Add dark chocolate chips during cream steeping to create a rich mocha-inspired creme brulee with deeper complexity.
• Decaf Comfort: Use decaffeinated coffee grounds for those wanting to enjoy the dessert without caffeine’s stimulating effects.

Serving Coffee Creme Brulee for Special Occasions

• Elegant Dessert Pairing: Serve alongside a delicate almond biscotti or crisp shortbread cookie for delightful textural contrast.
• Gourmet Coffee Companion: Pour a small shot of espresso or smooth amaretto liqueur next to the creme brulee for an authentic coffee lover’s experience.
• Fruit Accent Suggestion: Garnish with fresh raspberries or caramelized orange zest to add bright, tangy notes that complement the rich coffee flavor.
• Seasonal Presentation: Serve in beautiful ceramic ramekins on a wooden board with a small silver spoon for an Instagram-worthy dessert display.

Storing Coffee Creme Brulee for Later Enjoyment

• Store the coffee crème brûlée in sealed ramekins or cover tightly with plastic wrap. Keep chilled for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual ramekins in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm gently at 325F for 10-15 minutes to restore custard texture. Avoid overheating to prevent curdling.
• Reapply fresh brown sugar layer and caramelize with kitchen torch just before serving to restore crispy top.

FAQs

• What is the purpose of steeping coffee in cream?

Steeping ground coffee in cream extracts rich, deep coffee flavors directly into the cream, infusing the custard with an intense and authentic coffee taste without using liquid coffee or instant powder.

• Why use a water bath when baking custard?

A water bath (or bain-marie) helps distribute heat evenly and gently, preventing the delicate egg-based custard from cracking or becoming rubbery by maintaining a consistent, lower temperature during baking.

• Can I make this dessert without a kitchen torch?

Yes, you can caramelize the sugar topping under a broiler. Place ramekins close to the broiler and watch carefully to prevent burning, rotating for even caramelization. Move the ramekins quickly to avoid overcooking the custard.

• How can I tell if the custard is perfectly baked?

Coffee Creme Brulee Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Silky French Coffee Crème Brûlée whispers pure indulgence with rich espresso notes dancing through creamy custard. Caramelized sugar shatters like delicate glass, revealing a luxurious dessert that invites you to savor each exquisite spoonful.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (473 ml) heavy cream
• 5 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar

Coffee Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons finely ground coffee (espresso or coffee beans)

Flavor and Topping Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar (for topping)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Arrange four 6-ounce ramekins inside a roasting pan, preparing for a water bath. Heat the oven to 325F (163C).
2. Combine heavy cream and ground coffee in a saucepan, gently warming over medium heat. Allow the mixture to infuse its rich flavors by steeping for 10 minutes after reaching a soft simmer.
3. Create a silky egg base by whisking egg yolks and granulated sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, smooth consistency.
4. Carefully strain the coffee-infused cream through a fine-mesh sieve into the egg mixture, continuously whisking to prevent any potential curdling.
5. Incorporate vanilla extract, ensuring it is thoroughly blended into the creamy custard.
6. Distribute the fragrant custard evenly across the prepared ramekins, filling each to approximately three-quarters full.
7. Pour hot water into the roasting pan, submerging the ramekins halfway to create a gentle cooking environment.
8. Bake the delicate custards for 40-45 minutes, watching for a set texture with a subtle center jiggle that indicates perfect doneness.
9. Remove from the oven and allow the custards to cool completely at room temperature before transferring to the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours to chill and firm.
10. Just before serving, sprinkle a thin layer of light brown sugar across each custard’s surface and caramelize using a kitchen torch until the sugar turns golden and crisp.

Notes

• Brew Coffee Carefully choose high-quality ground coffee to enhance the rich, deep flavor profile of the creme brulee.
• Control Steeping Time precisely to prevent the coffee from becoming bitter or overpowering the delicate custard texture.
• Consider Alternative Milks like coconut or almond for a dairy-free version that maintains the creamy consistency.
• Adjust Sugar Levels by using alternative sweeteners such as monk fruit or stevia for a lower-calorie dessert option.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 447
• Sugar: 26 g
• Sodium: 46 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 23 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg