Silky Homemade Crème Brûlée Ice Cream Recipe: Sweet Summer Joy

Crème brûlée ice cream crafts classic dessert magic into a cool, creamy indulgence that whispers sweet sophistication.

Smooth custard-like textures dance with caramelized sugar notes, creating an elegant frozen treat beyond typical summer fare.

Rich egg yolks and delicate vanilla undertones provide a luxurious foundation for this decadent confection.

Culinary enthusiasts recognize this dessert as a sophisticated blend of traditional techniques and modern innovation.

Each spoonful promises a delightful contrast between silky cream and crisp caramelized hints that melt provocatively on your palate.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe bridges restaurant-quality desserts with homemade comfort, inviting you to craft something extraordinary.

Crème Brûlée Ice Cream Flavor Highlights

• Indulge in Creamy Luxury: This homemade crème brûlée ice cream delivers an ultra-smooth, silky texture that melts perfectly on your tongue, bringing restaurant-quality dessert right into your kitchen.
• Transform Classic Dessert into Frozen Delight: By combining the rich custard base of crème brûlée with a crunchy caramel brittle, this recipe elevates traditional ice cream into a gourmet experience that surprises and delights with every spoonful.
• Master Sophisticated Technique: The recipe teaches professional-level cooking skills like tempering eggs, creating caramel, and making a velvety custard base, allowing home cooks to develop impressive culinary techniques without feeling overwhelmed.
• No-Fuss Gourmet Dessert: Despite seeming complex, this recipe requires simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making it accessible for anyone wanting to create an impressive, restaurant-quality dessert with minimal kitchen stress.

Ingredients for Crème Brûlée Ice Cream

• Milk, Cream: Rich, full-fat dairy creates a smooth, luxurious base with a silky texture and deep flavor profile.

• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a smooth, creamy ice cream texture with a balanced flavor.

• Egg Yolks: Adds richness, creates a custard base, and helps prevent ice crystals for a creamy consistency.
• Vanilla Bean: Offers deep, complex flavor with natural aromatic notes and visual specks in the ice cream.

• Sugar: Transforms into a golden caramel with a rich, deep sweetness for crunchy brittle pieces.
• Parchment Paper: Essential for spreading and cooling the caramel without sticking.

How to Make Crème Brûlée Ice Cream

Step 1: Prepare Vanilla Infusion

• Milk
• Heavy cream
• Vanilla bean

Gently warm milk and cream in a medium saucepan. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Add vanilla seeds, pod, milk, and cream to the pan. Heat slowly until tiny bubbles form around the edges, avoiding boiling. Remove from heat.

Step 2: Create Silky Egg Base

• Egg yolks
• Granulated sugar

Whisk egg yolks and sugar in a mixing bowl until the mixture becomes pale and significantly thickens. The color should transform from deep yellow to a light, creamy shade.

Step 3: Blend and Temper Mixtures

Remove vanilla pod from the warm milk mixture. Slowly pour a small amount of hot milk into egg mixture while continuously whisking. This gradual technique prevents egg scrambling. Continue adding remaining milk, stirring constantly.

Step 4: Cook Custard to Perfect Consistency

Return the blended mixture to the saucepan. Cook over low heat, whisking continuously. Check thickness by coating the back of a spoon- when you draw a line with your finger, it should remain clear without liquid running through.

Step 5: Strain and Chill

Pour custard through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean bowl. Cover surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent skin formation. Refrigerate for minimum two hours, preferably overnight for maximum creaminess.

Step 6: Create Caramel Brittle

• Granulated sugar

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt sugar in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-low heat. Swirl pan gently to ensure even caramelization. Once golden brown, quickly pour onto prepared sheet. Allow to cool and harden, then break into small pieces.

Step 7: Churn and Freeze

Use an ice cream maker to churn the chilled custard. Fold in caramel brittle pieces during final mixing. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze until firm.

Tips for a Smooth Crème Brûlée Ice Cream Finish

• Master Vanilla Extraction: Scrape vanilla beans gently using the dull side of a knife to release maximum flavor without damaging the pod.
• Prevent Curdling: Temper egg yolks slowly by adding hot milk in a thin stream while constantly whisking to create a smooth, silky custard base.
• Check Custard Thickness: Use the spoon test by running a finger through the custard—if the path remains clear, you've reached the perfect consistency.
• Chill for Creaminess: Refrigerate the custard overnight for an ultra-smooth, rich ice cream texture that melts perfectly on the tongue.
• Caramel Brittle Pro Move: Work quickly when pouring caramel and spread it immediately to create thin, crisp pieces that will add delightful crunch to your ice cream.

Reheating and Storing Homemade Ice Cream

• Refrigerate: Transfer remaining ice cream to an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. Store in the coldest part of the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Place ice cream in a freezer-safe container, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent ice crystals, and freeze for 2-3 weeks. Seal with a lid to maintain quality.
• Soften: Remove ice cream from the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving. Let it sit at room temperature to restore its creamy texture, making scooping easier and more enjoyable.

Sweet Pairings for Crème Brûlée Ice Cream

• Savor Creamy Vanilla Wine Pairing: Match this rich crème brûlée ice cream with a chilled Sauternes dessert wine from France, which brings out the vanilla's delicate sweetness and complements the creamy texture.
• Crunch with Caramel Brittle Partner: Serve alongside a crisp almond biscotti or hazelnut shortbread cookie to enhance the caramel brittle's crackly texture and provide a delightful contrast to the smooth ice cream.
• Espresso Flavor Booster: Pair with a shot of dark, intense espresso or a macchiato, which cuts through the dessert's richness and highlights the complex vanilla and caramel notes.
• Sparkling Dessert Companion: Add a small glass of champagne or prosecco to cleanse the palate and create a luxurious, celebratory feel that elevates the entire dessert experience.

Fun Twists on the Classic Ice Cream

• Lavender Caramel Crunch: Infuse milk mixture with dried lavender flowers for a subtle floral note, maintaining the classic caramel brittle texture.
• Bourbon Vanilla Bean Blast: Replace standard vanilla with bourbon-infused vanilla beans, adding a rich, warm undertone to the creamy base while keeping the caramel brittle.
• Salted Pecan Swirl: Mix crushed, salted pecans into the churned ice cream before freezing, complementing the existing caramel brittle with a nutty crunch and salty complexity.
• Espresso Caramel Dream: Steep ground espresso beans in the milk mixture, creating a coffee-infused custard that pairs perfectly with the original caramel brittle for a sophisticated dessert experience.

Homemade Crme Brle Ice Cream Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Silky French crème brûlée ice cream marries classic custard with cool, creamy indulgence. Rich vanilla bean and caramelized sugar create a luxurious dessert experience that will transport your taste buds to Parisian patisseries.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 480 milliliters (16.2 fluid ounces) whole milk
• 300 milliliters (10.1 fluid ounces) double cream (heavy cream)
• 5 large egg yolks

Sweeteners:

• 300 grams (10.6 ounces) granulated sugar

* 100 grams (3.5 ounces) for custard

* 200 grams (7.1 ounces) for brittle

Flavoring:

• 1 vanilla bean pod

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Instructions

1. Gently infuse milk and cream with vanilla by splitting the bean and extracting seeds. Combine milk, cream, vanilla bean, and seeds in a saucepan, heating until delicate bubbles form around edges without boiling.
2. Whip egg yolks with sugar until the mixture transforms into a pale, voluminous texture, creating a rich base for the custard.
3. Carefully temper the egg mixture by gradually introducing hot milk, whisking continuously to prevent curdling. Use a tea towel to stabilize the mixing bowl during this delicate process.
4. Return the combined liquid to the saucepan, cooking over low heat while constantly stirring. Check custard consistency by running a finger through the coating on a spoon; the path should remain clear, indicating proper thickening.
5. Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl, preventing any potential lumps. Cover the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent skin formation and refrigerate for a minimum of two hours, preferably overnight.
6. Prepare caramel brittle by melting sugar in a heavy-bottomed pan until it reaches a golden brown color. Swirl the pan gently to ensure even caramelization.
7. Quickly pour the molten caramel onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spreading it thinly with an offset spatula. Allow to cool and set for ten minutes before fragmenting into varied-sized pieces.
8. Incorporate the caramel brittle fragments into the chilled custard before churning in an ice cream maker, creating a luxurious crème brûlée ice cream with crunchy caramel elements.

Notes

• Vanilla Bean Magic: Extract maximum flavor by splitting and scraping the vanilla bean, releasing its intense aromatic essence into the cream base.
• Custard Perfection: Whisk egg yolks and sugar until pale and thickened, creating a silky smooth foundation for the ice cream.
• Tempering Technique: Slowly incorporate hot milk into egg yolks while continuously whisking to prevent scrambling and ensure a luxurious, creamy texture.
• Thickness Test: Check custard readiness by running a finger through the mixture on a spoon—a clean path indicates perfect consistency.
• Overnight Chill: Refrigerate custard for at least two hours or ideally overnight to develop deeper, richer flavors and ultra-creamy texture.
• Caramel Brittle Trick: Work quickly when pouring caramel, as it hardens fast; break into various sized pieces for delightful crunch throughout the ice cream.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 495
• Sugar: 45 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 190 mg