Velvety Crème Brûlée Pie Recipe for Sweet Tooth Joy

Dessert lovers rejoice as this delectable crème brûlée pie combines two classic treats into one irresistible masterpiece.

Silky custard nestles inside a golden, buttery crust that crackles with caramelized sugar.

Rich vanilla notes dance across your palate, promising a luxurious experience with every forkful.

The delicate balance of creamy filling and crisp caramel top creates a sophisticated dessert that feels both familiar and extraordinary.

Professional pastry chefs and home bakers alike will fall in love with this elegant twist on traditional favorites.

Simple ingredients and straightforward techniques make this pie surprisingly approachable for anyone wanting to impress.

One slice will transport you to a Parisian patisserie, beckoning you to savor each decadent moment.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 45min

Cook Time: 1hr

Total Time: 1hr 45min

Calories: 404 kcal

Servings: 9

Crème Brûlée Pie Ingredient Breakdown

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the foundational structure for a crisp, flaky base that cradles the creamy custard.
• Unsalted Butter: Delivers rich, golden flavor and creates those delicate, melt-in-your-mouth layers in the crust.
• Salt: Enhances the overall taste and balances the butter's richness.

• Heavy Cream: Creates a luscious, velvety texture that defines the classic crème brûlée experience.
• Egg Yolks: Bind the custard, adding luxurious richness and smooth consistency.
• Vanilla: Infuses the filling with deep, aromatic warmth and sophisticated flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the custard and helps achieve the perfect silky texture.
• Salt: Elevates and balances the sweet notes in the custard.

• Granulated Sugar: Transforms into a crisp, golden-brown shell that cracks beautifully when tapped with a spoon.

Tools to Torch & Bake This Pie

• Pie Pan: 9-inch round pan for baking the pie crust and filling.
• Rolling Pin: Essential for rolling out the pie dough evenly.
• Parchment Paper: Helps prevent sticking and aids in blind baking the crust.
• Pie Weights (or Dried Beans): Keeps the crust flat during initial baking.
• Large Pot: Used for heating cream mixture.
• Whisk: Perfect for mixing cream and egg yolks smoothly.
• Medium Bowl: For whisking egg yolks separately.
• Kitchen Torch: Critical for caramelizing sugar on top of the pie.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for slicing the pie when serving.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensure accurate ingredient measurements.

Steps to Make a Smooth Crème Brûlée Pie

• Pastry Foundation

Create a delicate pie crust using your preferred method. Chill the dough to ensure maximum flakiness and ease of handling. Carefully shape the dough into a pie pan, creating elegant crimped edges.

• Crust Preparation

Warm the oven and transform the raw dough into a golden, crisp shell. Blind bake the crust with pie weights to prevent puffy bubbles, ensuring a perfectly structured base for the luxurious filling.

• Silky Custard Creation

Craft a smooth, rich custard by gently heating cream and combining it with luscious egg yolks. Infuse the mixture with delicate vanilla, creating a velvety base that whispers of classic French desserts.

• Pie Assembly

Carefully pour the satiny custard into the cooled crust. Bake with precision, watching for the perfect wobble that signals a perfectly set filling. Allow the pie to rest and develop its sublime texture.

• Caramelized Finale

Just before serving, sprinkle a delicate layer of sugar across the pie’s surface. Use a torch to transform the sugar into a glass-like, amber-colored crust that cracks dramatically with each spoonful, creating a moment of pure culinary theater.

Tips for Cracking the Sugar Crust

• Hold kitchen torch at a 45-degree angle, moving slowly across sugar surface to create an even, golden-brown caramel crust without burning.
• Fold in toasted nuts like pistachios or almonds into the custard for unexpected crunch, or sprinkle crushed honeycomb on top for luxurious texture.
• Replace heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk for a rich, creamy alternative that maintains the pie's decadent profile while accommodating dietary restrictions.
• Cover pie loosely with plastic wrap when refrigerating to prevent condensation from forming on the delicate caramelized sugar top, maintaining its crisp texture.

Crème Brûlée Pie Serving Style

• Elegant Dessert Pairing: Complement the crème brûlée pie with a glass of sweet dessert wine like Sauternes or a light French champagne that balances the creamy richness.
• Garnish Glow: Top the pie with fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries, which add a vibrant color contrast and provide a tangy freshness against the sweet custard.
• Texture Contrast Companions: Serve alongside a crisp almond biscotti or delicate shortbread cookie to introduce a crunchy element that enhances the smooth pie texture and provides a delightful textural experience.
• Temperature Play: Offer a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or lavender sorbet next to each slice, creating a temperature and flavor contrast that elevates the entire dessert presentation.

Storing Your Pie the Right Way

• Fridge-Friendly Storage: Keep your crème brûlée pie tightly wrapped in plastic film or stored in an airtight container. This dessert stays delicious for 3-4 days when refrigerated at a consistent 40°F.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire pie up to 2 days before your event. The custard base and baked crust hold beautifully in the refrigerator, allowing you to focus on last-minute details.
• Room Temperature Rules: Always serve this delicate dessert chilled. Remove from the refrigerator just 10-15 minutes before serving to ensure the perfect creamy texture and caramelized sugar topping.
• Freezing Finesse: While possible, freezing is not recommended for crème brûlée pie. The delicate custard structure can separate and lose its smooth, silky consistency when thawed.

Silky Crème Brûlée Pie Recipe

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4.5 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 1hr 45min
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

This classic French crème brûlée pie combines silky custard with a caramelized sugar crust, delivering an elegant dessert perfect for special occasions. Delicate vanilla notes and crisp caramel topping create a luxurious experience you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream
• 6 egg yolks
• 2 vanilla beans, insides scraped out
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt

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Instructions

1. Pie Crust Preparation: Roll out chilled dough meticulously, draping it into the pie pan with precision. Trim edges elegantly and create a decorative crimp around the perimeter.
2. Blind Baking: Shield crust with parchment paper, filling with pie weights. Roast in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, unveiling the weights during the final 5-8 minutes to develop a golden, crisp foundation.
3. Custard Foundation: Gently heat cream, sugar, salt, and vanilla in a saucepan until the mixture reaches a fragrant, steaming point, releasing aromatic vanilla essence.
4. Egg Tempering: Gradually whisk hot cream into egg yolks, maintaining constant motion to prevent curdling. Transform the mixture into a velvety, smooth custard with a luxurious sheen.
5. Pie Assembly: Carefully pour the custard into the pre-baked shell, ensuring an even distribution. Eliminate surface bubbles with a delicate touch, creating a flawless custard landscape.
6. Baking Process: Reduce oven temperature to 300°F (150°C) and bake for 35-45 minutes. Monitor the center’s subtle movement while the edges set firmly, indicating perfect custard consistency.
7. Cooling and Setting: Rest the pie at room temperature for one hour, then refrigerate for a minimum of four hours or overnight, allowing the custard to achieve a sublime, silky texture.
8. Caramelization Finale: Moments before serving, dust the surface with a gossamer layer of sugar. Employ a culinary torch to transform the sugar into a gleaming, amber-hued caramel crust that shatters dramatically when tapped.

Notes

• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate pie crust for at least 30 minutes before rolling to prevent shrinkage and ensure a flaky texture.
• Prevent Soggy Crust: Blind bake thoroughly to create a protective barrier that keeps the custard from making the bottom crust soft and mushy.
• Temper Eggs Carefully: Slowly incorporate hot cream into egg yolks while whisking constantly to avoid scrambling and achieve a silky smooth custard.
• Torch Technique Matters: Use a kitchen torch with steady, even motion to caramelize sugar, moving quickly to create a perfect golden-brown crust without burning.

• Prep Time: 45min
• Cook Time: 1hr
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 404
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 0.3 g
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 186 mg