Party Panache, Salty Caramel Crème Brûlée

HHjr gave me a kitchen torch for Mother’s Day
Yep, the same guy who gave me a giant metal rusty fish and a weathered buoy rope for my birthday…
*Sigh* such a smart guy, he knows his Mom…
So when life hands you a culinary torch, you make crème brûlée, right?
crème brûlée, loosely translated, means burnt cream
Sounds fancy but it’s just simple fresh ingredients, cream, milk, sugar, egg yolks
First step is the caramel sauce
It is simmered in a sauce pan until it turns to velvet
After cooling, the remaining ingredients are added and it’s ready to pour into ramekins
The ramekins are baked in a water bath {a pan half full of water}
The easiest way to do this is to place the dishes in the pan, transfer pan to a pulled out oven shelf then pour in water from a measuring cup. Slide the shelf back in the oven and close the door
Allow custards to cool completely before finishing
Top with sugar and using the culinary torch,* run the flame over them until the desired level of browning occurs and then immediately sprinkle with salt
You can refrigerate these for 5 days if you have more than you need, or want to make in advance
Garnish with a few butterscotch or caramel chips if desired
Use the torch* to melt and brown them a little
*If you don’t have a culinary torch, put the custards under the broiler for a minute or two, watching carefully
this recipe is adapted from Malibu Kitchen

Salty Caramel Crème Brûlée
Equipment
- culinary torch or broiler
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 T dark brown sugar
- 1 T unsalted butter
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1/4 granulated sugar
- Sea finishing or kosher salt
- 1/4 – 1/2 cups butterscotch chips for garnish
Instructions
- Put 1/2 cup cream, brown sugar, salt, and butter into a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves. Lower heat to a simmer and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is deep brown in color, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat, transfer to a large glass measuring cup and let cool.
- Once mixture has cooled, whisk in the egg yolks, remaining 1/2 cup cream and milk. Carefully pour mixture into ramekins and place ramekins in a deep sided baking pan. Set pan on oven rack and slowly pour water into pan, until water is a little more than half way up the sides of the ramekins.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes, checking near the end of baking time. The mixture is done when it’s set around the sides but still jiggles a little in the middle. Remove pan from oven and carefully transfer ramekins to a place to cool, using tongs or a spatula.
- Once dishes have cooled, sprinkle with sugar and optional butterscotch chips. Carefully brown brulee tops with a kitchen torch or under the broiler, watching carefully. Sprinkle with salt and serve.
- Refrigerate up to 5 days if desired.
Notes
Do you have a culinary torch? What do you use it for, please share!
Juicy Details
Ramekins are wonderful for all kinds of things,
mise en place, dipping sauces and condiments, leftovers, butter
These small 2 oz. shell ramekins are no longer available, but a similar heart shaped set by the same company is available here
There are hundreds of styles, sizes, and colors of ramekins available on Amazon.com here
Culinary torch available here
Enjoy!
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I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Rustic and Refined, Between Naps on the Porch, Gardens Galore Make it Pretty Monday
Coastal Charm, Cooking and Crafting with J&J, The Scoop, A Stroll Thru Life
Celebrate and Decorate, Lori’s Culinary Creations, Moonlight and Mason Jars
What a divine combo. Salted caramel and creme brûlée!!!
Jenna, Jim would think he’s died and gone to heaven if I made this dish, which I am going to give a try! It’s his favorite dessert. No, I don’t have a culinary torch, so seldom have a use for one now. I like the way this recipe sounds and I can use the broiler to crunch up the sugar topping. Smart son you have…….
I have always been intimidated to make this dish, but it’s really one of the easiest things I’ve ever made, not to mention insanely good! I will be posting future versions in other flavors, and the part I like best is that it is so small, feels less guilty! Thanks Emily, keep me posted on how it turns out 😘
My weakness! Love these.
Johanne Lamarche
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Creme-Brulee is among my favorite desserts. You have given me the courage to attempt making it myself. Thank-you!
thanks Ellen, I thought it was easy, and very delicious! I will be making many more versions in the future! >
My hubby loves this dessert! 👍 I purchased a torch awhile back to make this but never have… thanks for the recipe! 🍮💕
I love crème bruleé. I probably could eat more than one of these!!!
Yum, Jenna these look delicious! I have a torch that I must pull out and use!
Do you use your torch for anything else? It’s such fun to use, but we can’t have creme brulee everyday! >
YUM!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
What a fun and thoughtful gift – and what a fabulous and delicious looking dessert!
YUM – I want to try this out! 🙂 Great post!
-Jenna <3
Follow me back? The Chic Cupcake
Jenna, I have a culinary torch that I have tucked away in the recesses of a cabinet. I bought of course for creme brulee but haven’t made it in a long while. It’s handy to use for brulee-ing marshmallows for s’mores 🙂
P.S. I forgot to say I love the witch hat )
Thank you for spotting that Mary! I’m working on Halloween designs right now, one of both of our favorite holidays! More to come! >
Love the rusty fish AND the torch! Never made CB before — broken broiler, no torch. I really could remedy that!
It was fun to try Jeanie, the torch made me nervous at first but it’s really easy to use, now I want to torch everything 😂
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I just pinned your awesome dessert. We love Cream Brulee and your Brulee in the shells is just perfect! I sure appreciate you sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great week and come back soon!
Miz Helen