When I saw that this week’s Tuesdays with Dorie selection was Creme Brulee, my heart did a little happy dance. I adore everything about creme brulee, from that first tapping of your spoon through its crispy, crackly, caramelized sugar crust, to that first heavenly mouthful of soft, rich, creamy vanilla-kissed custard. The supreme indulgence!
Over the years, I have eaten more than my fair share of creme brulee. As a matter of fact, when I was in Paris last summer, I think I probably ate my weight in the stuff! The funny thing is, I’ve never made it at home. I’ve made lots of flans, custards and creme caramels, but never a brulee. Why, you ask? Because I’ve always been terrified of the blowtorch!
When I was a toddler, I was involved in a terrible accident resulting in third degree burns on over a third of my body. I spent several weeks in the hospital and miraculously, I pulled through. Though my face was unscathed, I had much scarring everywhere else. Thankfully, most of it faded over time and now, they are barely discernible. Since then, I have been deathly afraid of fire.
I almost decided to just do a rewind recipe instead this week. But, since I did have a little kitchen torch, still sitting in its box, that I had gotten as a gift several years ago, I decided that it was now or never. I read the instructions through and through, and practiced a few times to get comfortable. I still didn’t like doing it, but it was okay. I felt kind of proud of myself for staring my fear in the face.
Since the traditional vanilla creme brulee is my favorite, I made half of mine that way. For the rest, I added some instant espresso powder and made coffee creme brulee.
Dorie’s recipe is dead easy and the custard came together in no time flat. Baking it took forever, though! The recipe says to bake at 200 degrees F. for 50-60 minutes. However, some of mine took at least 90 minutes to set up. I think it had to do with the size and depth of my containers. The deeper cups were the ones that took a lot longer. So, if you ever try this recipe, be mindful of that.
The custard itself is a bit lighter and not quite as rich as some others I’ve had, but it was perfectly velvety and absolutely delicious. Some of my caramelized sugar did get a little too browned, but it was just the right thickness and crackled into beautiful little shards. I’m so glad that I rose to this challenge, and I’m looking forward to making creme brulee again soon!
Many thanks to Mari of Mevrouw Cupcakes for choosing this great recipe. If you’d like to see some other creative interpretations of creme brulee, visit the Tuesdays with Dorie blogroll. The recipe cam be found on Mari’s site as well as in Dorie’s book, Baking: From My Home to Yours.
Filed Under: Baking, Custards and Puddings, Desserts, Recipes, Tuesdays with Dorie
TWD: Lemon Cup Custard
On September 30, 2008 at 10:46am, Audrey said...
I can’t decide which of your presentations (and which of your dishes) I like the best. Oh, well, I’ll just have to keep looking at all of them. Great job, as always!
On September 30, 2008 at 11:06am, Sandy Smith said...
You. Go. Girl! You are awesome for facing your fears head-on and conquering them!! (And then eating them!)
Your creme brulee looks spectacular, of course. I’m glad you decided to go for it.
On September 30, 2008 at 11:07am, Zoe Francois said...
These look incredible. I adore lots of caramel on my creme brulee so I’ll take the wide oval, Please! Nice job with the blow torch.
On September 30, 2008 at 11:20am, vibi said...
Everytime I get close to hitting the bloglines’ button to get to your blog… I almost hold my breath! LOL Just cause I know I’ll be surprised and in total awe of what you do… visualy and creatively!
Once again, I’m not dissapointed!
BRAVO!
On September 30, 2008 at 12:19pm, Darius T. Williams said...
really really great pics - I love this!
-DTW
http://www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com
On September 30, 2008 at 12:35pm, Dianne said...
You faced your fear and what a stunning result! Bravo!
On September 30, 2008 at 12:52pm, Rachel said...
Beautiful pictures-I love your accessories!
On September 30, 2008 at 1:08pm, Engineer Baker said...
Kudos on overcoming your fears - they turned out perfectly! And the coffee version - that would have been what I went with if I had a kitchen torch, so I’m super jealous
On September 30, 2008 at 1:39pm, Mevrouw Cupcake said...
I love your vanilla bean bundles! So glad that you’re a crème brûlée lover too!
On September 30, 2008 at 1:50pm, CECIL said...
That’s quite a challenge you put yourself into and you aced it!!
As for these nice beauties you made, I chime in with the others. I am not sure which one I like better..the creme brulee itself or the presentation1! I LOVE BOTH!
On September 30, 2008 at 2:36pm, Cathy said...
How wonderful that you conquered your fears to make this. What wonderful results! It was so surprising to me how relatively easy this was to make. I’ll definitely make this again. I am glad that you loved this — your pictures are fantastic!
On September 30, 2008 at 3:07pm, Judy@nofearentertaining said...
Those look so good Susan!!! I am with you though on the fire fear! Brave girl!
On September 30, 2008 at 4:57pm, Peter M said...
I just cracked my PC screen trying to break the hardened brulee! lol
They look awesome…still one of the best desserts.
On September 30, 2008 at 5:32pm, Maryann said...
oooo..how pretty!
On September 30, 2008 at 5:55pm, pinkstripes said...
Your pictures are gorgeous. I love the hodge-podge of dishes.
On September 30, 2008 at 6:07pm, Debbie said...
Your dessert looks delicious…wish I could just dip my spoon into the computer screen and help myself to some!!!!
On September 30, 2008 at 6:35pm, Anonymous said...
It looks really good, but you spelled it wrong.
On September 30, 2008 at 7:24pm, Sarah said...
Your creme brulee looks wonderful! I like the coffee idea, next time I make this, I will have to try that. Cute way of serving them too. Looks great in the coffee cups!
On September 30, 2008 at 7:38pm, Bellini Valli said...
I love the creme brulee trios you can get in all the restaurants these days. I was thinking of making Pumpkin brulees for Thanksgiving but I need a torch!!!!!
On September 30, 2008 at 7:59pm, Steph said...
They’re beautiful!! It’s ok the sugar got a little too brown, it’s all about the shards of sugar!
On September 30, 2008 at 8:08pm, Manggy said...
Congratulations on a successful first time! Coffee creme brulee sounds absolutely delicious! (As does the original, of course
On September 30, 2008 at 8:18pm, Gretchen Noelle said...
You got me hook, line & sinker with your espresso creme brulee in it's own little coffee cup. Heaven!!!
On September 30, 2008 at 8:25pm, Kevin said...
That creme brule looks so good!
On September 30, 2008 at 8:53pm, Heather B said...
Great job! It looks so yummy! I love the coffee flavor!
On September 30, 2008 at 9:12pm, Lori Lynn said...
I like your extra browned crust. Years ago I worked for a restaurant company, and when we tested the creme brulee at the restaurants, it had to have what was called the “titanic effect” when tapped with the back of a spoon it should break into shards like an iceberg…
On September 30, 2008 at 9:48pm, steph- whisk/spoon said...
they look great, and good for you for facing your fears!
On September 30, 2008 at 9:50pm, Louise said...
You sure know how to dress up a beauty of a dessert. Gorgeous!
On October 01, 2008 at 12:53am, FFichiban said...
Oohh they all look great but I’ve never tried coffee creme brulee before :O so I really wanna try that one!
On October 01, 2008 at 3:18am, joanne at frutto della passione said...
I think you have created a new form of therapy. Cook or bake your fear and eat it! Great work as always Susan!
On October 01, 2008 at 7:05am, The Food Librarian said...
Bravo to you for facing your fears! The brulees look fantastic. I love the coffee infusion…I’ll try that next time!
On October 01, 2008 at 7:23am, Maria said...
Nice looking brulee! Love the photos!
On October 01, 2008 at 7:41am, Joanna said...
What a horrible story that you were hurt so badly when you were little! So sorry.
They all look AMAZING.
On October 01, 2008 at 7:50am, The Short (dis)Order Cook said...
Yum. I’m glad you took the fire risk and made this. It’s beautiful. I have a little kitchen torch too, but I’ve never used it because I haven’t been able to find the cartridges for it.
On October 01, 2008 at 8:07am, Cakespy said...
Oh my, how I would like to munch on one of those beautiful little shards!! Looks absolutely mouthwatering!
On October 01, 2008 at 8:28am, Prudy said...
What a gorgeous dessert-but I don’t blame you a bit for fearing fire. What a terrifying memory for you!
On October 01, 2008 at 10:42am, My Sweet & Saucy said...
Your creme brulee looks mouthwateringly good!
On October 01, 2008 at 11:00am, Marthe said...
Two different tastes, wow! It was the first time of making crème brûlée for me, but I will certainly be making these again!
On October 01, 2008 at 11:05am, maggie said...
Congrats on doing this—I’m too intimidated but yours look great!!
On October 01, 2008 at 11:07am, Rebecca said...
Way to go for picking up that torch and mastering this technique, despite your fear. You got chutzpah!
On October 01, 2008 at 11:33am, kim said...
way to face your fears!! beautiful photos and presentation. i always am jealous of your ribbons
the espresso flavor sounds yummy!
On October 01, 2008 at 1:03pm, Kristen said...
Creme Brulee is one of my favorite desserts, but like you, I still have a torch waiting to be used in my cabinet! I think all you TWD participants have inspired me to get it out!
On October 01, 2008 at 1:22pm, Jules Someone said...
Oh my oh my do these look delicious! Nice work.
On October 01, 2008 at 2:03pm, noble pig said...
Oh I love it too and the vanilla beans tied in a bow! Perfect!
On October 01, 2008 at 3:28pm, Jenny said...
Gorgeous pictures of your creme brulee! I so wish I had some right now!
On October 01, 2008 at 6:54pm, Nicole said...
Wow what a scary and horrible story from your childhood!
But your creme brulee… oh my… you creme brulee… It is one of my allll time favorite desserts if it is GOOD! And I haven’t had it in ages.
On October 01, 2008 at 8:52pm, Proud Italian Cook said...
I’ll take the coffee creme brulee!
I’m glad you overcame your fear and conquered!!
On October 01, 2008 at 10:12pm, Heather said...
how pretty! i love it in the tea cups! the colors of the sugar are beautiful and i love the lavender topping! looks tasty
On October 01, 2008 at 10:18pm, Y said...
Beautiful brulees! I don’t blame you about being scared of fire or the blowtorch.. I haven’t had any bad childhood experiences with it, but I’m still wary every time I use it!
On October 02, 2008 at 8:13am, Shari@Whisk: a food blog said...
Good job with the torch this week and pushing through a fear. What a horrible thing to have happen as a child (or any time). Your photos are stunning, and I love that you baked them in a cup! Very creative.
On October 02, 2008 at 8:46am, Jen of A2eatwrite said...
What a lovely presentation, Susan! I, too, love creme brulee and have always been terrified by the torch idea. I’m so sorry you went through such a horrid accident as a child!
On October 02, 2008 at 3:44pm, Cakelaw said...
Congratulations on facing your fears and doing a great job of this classic dessert. I am a huge fan of creme brulee but have never tried to make it.
On October 03, 2008 at 8:51pm, LyB said...
Your brulées look perfect! And coffee, wow, I am definitely going to try that! I make lots of jokes about having fun this week, playing with fire, but I can understand your fear of it. Glad you made them though, they’re beautiful!
On October 03, 2008 at 9:18pm, Tartelette said...
Great job of facing your fears! All the creme brulees look fantastic!
On October 04, 2008 at 6:51am, Lynnylu said...
Your brulees look great in the cups and ramekins. Nice job!
On October 04, 2008 at 10:04am, Brilynn said...
Love your photos, the brulee looks great!