Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Creme Brulee (Tuesdays with Dorie)

Creme Brulee
Creme Brulee!

Once again, Dorie Greenspan is my hero!

I thought creme brulee was a difficult dessert involving a water-bath, whisking a crazy custard together, and should be only ordered in a restaurant.

But thanks to Dorie, I can make it at home!!

Creme Brulee Creme Brulee
I made mine in little 2.5 ounce ramekins and got 12 ramekins from a full batch. Dorie's recipe calls for you to bake it at a low temperature (probably thus avoiding the water bath). After a nice chill overnight, I woke up and torched my dessert!

Creme Brulee
This week's delicious choice was selected by cool Mari of Mevrouw Cupcake! Mari, I love your blog and this is a wonderful pick! I can't wait to try it with some of Dorie's "Playing around" tips - such as lavender, ginger or tea brulee - oh my!

Creme Brulee
The middle was lovely and creamy. And the best part ever?! Cracking the brulee ceiling!

Be sure to check out the other Tuesdays with Dorie bakers! And don't forget to buy Dorie's book, Baking: From My Home to Yours so you can make it yourself (page 393). Also, if you are interested in joining the group as we make our way through Dorie's book, you have until the end of October!

51 comments:

  1. ostwestwindSeptember 30, 2008 at 1:17 AM

    I usually make my crème brûlée like this recipe. And I totally agree: Cracking the brulee ceiling is the best

    Ulrike from Küchenlatein

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2008 at 3:29 AM

    ooh...that bottom photo made my salivary glands spasm!

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  3. AudreySeptember 30, 2008 at 4:36 AM

    I love the little ramekins - and the crackly tops.

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  4. PamelaSeptember 30, 2008 at 4:49 AM

    These pictures are gloriously tempting! I love the 12 little ramekins, they are adorable! I admit to thinking just like you. Creme brulee was too difficult and to be eaten in a restaurant. Not any more!

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  5. StephSeptember 30, 2008 at 4:55 AM

    You did an amazing job! That first crack into the brulee must have been so fun.

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  6. PrudySeptember 30, 2008 at 5:17 AM

    I love those little brulees. So many to look at and so pretty.

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  7. steph- whisk/spoonSeptember 30, 2008 at 5:24 AM

    looks perfect, and what cute itsy-bitsy ramekins!

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  8. SihanSeptember 30, 2008 at 5:36 AM

    i do agree about the cracking of the ceiling! my gosh.. your last photo looks so good! wish i had a camera that good to capture that!

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  9. MeganSeptember 30, 2008 at 5:39 AM

    What cute little ramekins!

    It looks like a difficult dessert, but it really isn't! Just think of the flavor possibilities - yum!

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  10. Nancy/n.o.eSeptember 30, 2008 at 5:43 AM

    Wow, that is a perfect ceiling of sugar! I made the tea variation, and it's fabulous.
    Nancy

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  11. MartheSeptember 30, 2008 at 5:57 AM

    Your little ramekins look so cute!!
    I absolutely loved these creme brulees!

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  12. JamieSeptember 30, 2008 at 6:16 AM

    The last photo is beautiful! Your ramekins are too cute!

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  13. CBSeptember 30, 2008 at 6:29 AM

    I thought the same thing too! Creme brulee wasn't something you could do at home, it was only in restaurants. Boy am I glad I am wrong! Wasn't that the best dessert ever? Mmmmm....
    Clara @ iheartfood4thought

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  14. MacDuffSeptember 30, 2008 at 6:32 AM

    Oh good lord, these look perfect! I agree - I want to try the whole playing around thing, the cardamon and orange sounded good to me. Another excellent post!

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  15. vibiSeptember 30, 2008 at 6:39 AM

    I mean, anyone would have to admit... there is not much more to say than... WOW!
    I want that one! I want that one!
    Let me know if ever you open a restaurant... I'm there in a flash!
    BRAVO!

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  16. Mary AnnSeptember 30, 2008 at 6:43 AM

    It looks amazing! Great job!

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  17. JewelsSeptember 30, 2008 at 6:58 AM

    Creme Bruleerrific!!!

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  18. MariSeptember 30, 2008 at 7:48 AM

    OMG...your mini ramekins are so cute (sequels with delight)!!! Great pictures and great crème brûlée!

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  19. RachelSeptember 30, 2008 at 8:26 AM

    The little ramekins are so cute! Your dessert looks delicious!

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  20. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2008 at 9:06 AM

    Your crusts look marvelous! I think really small servings like are great for this dessert.

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  21. Engineer BakerSeptember 30, 2008 at 9:10 AM

    2.5 ozers? Too cute! They look perfect, and I'm glad this restaurant dessert can now be made at home :)

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  22. CBSeptember 30, 2008 at 9:19 AM

    I know I already commented but I just saw your comment on Macduff's blog about PR. Amen sister! 1930s-wearing-flower-in-hair-girl needs to get aufed pronto! If Jerrell gets aufed I will be so pissed. I might have to boycott the finale. Ok I probably won't but still. I'll be indignant. Hrrummmph... Ultimately I want Leanne to win but I'd be ok with Korto or Jerrell. Please not Kenley! Anyone but her! Sorry just wanted to share my PR addiction with you. HAHA. Back to your regular scheduled TWD commenting...
    /Clara

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  23. PeggySeptember 30, 2008 at 9:51 AM

    wow, I am so pumped to try this now. Yours looks great. I went with something different because I was scared of the torch. Imagine, a grown up scared of a little torch! :)

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  24. JodieSeptember 30, 2008 at 10:17 AM

    They look great. Since they're smaller, you can eat a couple, right?!

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  25. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2008 at 10:29 AM

    I have to find some of those tiny ramekins - portion control will take guilt out of eating these!

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  26. Welcome to our crazy blessed lifeSeptember 30, 2008 at 10:35 AM

    Cute! I love the tiny servings! I love the sugar cracking too!

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  27. The Blonde DuckSeptember 30, 2008 at 10:44 AM

    Those are so pretty. I wish I could dig in!

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  28. StephSeptember 30, 2008 at 10:47 AM

    I love your little ramekins! They are so cute!! Yum-Yum!

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  29. betty geekSeptember 30, 2008 at 11:21 AM

    Thanks for making me drool. Did you make enough to save me one? Those pictures are awesome. I love the crackle of the sugar top with the spoon. Excellent job! :)

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  30. Mary JoSeptember 30, 2008 at 11:35 AM

    i love the spoon in the picture, it's beautiful :) great pictures.

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  31. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2008 at 12:57 PM

    fantastic job!!! I love the small size of your ramekins :)

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  32. AprilSeptember 30, 2008 at 2:12 PM

    Absolutely awesome looking brulee! Your pictures are great, I love cracking the tops too.

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  33. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2008 at 2:50 PM

    I love your broken glass cracks of brulee! I love mini-size anything too (esp dessert). It keeps me from eating too much. :P

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  34. UnknownSeptember 30, 2008 at 3:35 PM

    Amazing looking little creme brulees. Glad you found a new favorite...

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  35. ShelbySeptember 30, 2008 at 3:45 PM

    oh yours looks sooo good! I love the cracks!

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  36. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2008 at 4:13 PM

    The tiny ramekins are so cute. I will have to pick those up. I am bitter I didn't make them yet!

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  37. LindaSeptember 30, 2008 at 4:36 PM

    You're on a miniature dessert roll! These look adorable in the mini-ramekins, but I wouldn't have any portion control...i'd like 4 of those minis please!

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  38. UnknownSeptember 30, 2008 at 4:55 PM

    The crackly photos are so cool! It looks delicious!

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  39. BrookeSeptember 30, 2008 at 6:04 PM

    I can't believe how easy this recipe was. If only I could make it every week without putting on the pounds.

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  40. DiSeptember 30, 2008 at 7:18 PM

    Great pictures of your brulée! I love the little ramekins. I definitely have to try this once I get my hands on a torch.

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  41. LizSeptember 30, 2008 at 8:59 PM

    Your little army of brulee-lets are so cute! 2.5 oz seems like a much more manageable amount of dessert. And I agree--omitting the water bath is genius. Gorgeous job!

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  42. KKOctober 1, 2008 at 12:00 AM

    "...I woke up and torched my desert..." I need to say that more often...I need to do that more often!

    I love when you make stuff in little cups...I know - ramekins...or those little tartlets...

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  43. kimberly salemOctober 1, 2008 at 8:57 AM

    does that mean you had creme brulee for breakfast?? you rule!! :) hehe. i couldn't believe how easy it was either! awesome job and great pics!
    btw have you ever seen the tiny espresso spoons? that's what i used to eat this with my mini ramekins... perfect size :)

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  44. CakespyOctober 1, 2008 at 9:10 AM

    Oh my goodness, so happy to have come across yours--those gorgeous little icicle shards of caramelly goodness atop the dish of creamy delightfulness--oh my!

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  45. AnonymousOctober 1, 2008 at 9:58 AM

    Yours look so perfect!

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  46. CathyOctober 1, 2008 at 11:10 AM

    I love the tiny ramekins! It's almost guilt-free when it's that small! I was also pleasantly surprised at how easy these were to make at home; it is really a fantastic make-ahead dessert. You pix are wonderful, and your brulees look just perfect!

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  47. Snooky doodleOctober 1, 2008 at 11:57 AM

    I like the cracked caramel. It a great combo the creaminess of the creme and the crunchiness of the caramel. This looks delicious

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  48. JaimeOctober 1, 2008 at 8:01 PM

    oh my goodness - your caramelized topping looks so perfect! i am envious!

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  49. Lynne DaleyOctober 2, 2008 at 3:54 AM

    Beautiful brulees. The cracking of the tops is really cool.

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  50. ShariOctober 2, 2008 at 12:04 PM

    I love your mini ramekins! Looks delicious!

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  51. AnonymousOctober 3, 2008 at 6:36 PM

    This looks so great! I love your ramekins and your pictures are beautiful!

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