Crème Brûlée

Crème brûlée is a French custard dessert topped with a thin, hardened layer of caramelized sugar that is cracked to reveal the soft cream beneath. The name literally translates to "burnt cream."

The custard is made from cream, egg yolks, and sugar, baked in a water bath until barely set, then chilled. Just before serving, a thin layer of sugar is spread over the top and caramelized with a kitchen torch or under a broiler, producing a crisp, golden shell over the silky custard. Vanilla is the classic flavoring, though citrus zest, coffee, and liqueurs are common variations.

Crème brûlée is often confused with the related Catalan dessert crema catalana: crema catalana is made with milk rather than cream, is typically flavored with lemon and cinnamon, and is traditionally caramelized with a hot iron rather than a torch, giving a thinner, more brittle top.