Lavender Creme Brulee Recipe

There is something truly magical about the delicate floral notes mingling with creamy sweetness in this Lavender Creme Brulee Recipe. Imagine a rich, velvety custard infused with subtle lavender, finished with a perfectly caramelized sugar crust that cracks delightfully under your spoon. This dessert brings elegance and comfort to your table all in one bite, making it a wonderful choice whether you’re impressing guests or treating yourself to a little luxury. Once you try this Lavender Creme Brulee Recipe, it’s sure to become a cherished favorite in your dessert repertoire.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering simple ingredients is the first step to creating this divine dessert, and each one plays a crucial role in delivering the perfect balance of flavor and texture. From the rich cream to the fragrant lavender, everything here is essential to make your Lavender Creme Brulee Recipe shine.

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream: Provides the luscious, silky base that makes the custard so creamy and smooth.
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth, complementing the floral lavender with classic vanilla notes.
• 2 tablespoons fresh lavender (or 1 tablespoon dried): Brings the signature gentle floral essence that makes this recipe uniquely enchanting.
• 3 tablespoons sugar + more for sprinkling: Sweetens the custard just right and forms the irresistible caramelized topping.
• 4 egg yolks: Essential for creating that rich, custardy texture and helping the dessert set beautifully.

How to Make Lavender Creme Brulee Recipe

Step 1: Infuse the Cream

Start by gently heating the heavy cream over medium heat until it’s hot but not boiling. This is important to avoid curdling. Once heated, remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and lavender. Let this mixture steep for about 30 minutes to let the lavender’s floral aroma deeply infuse the cream. This step is where your custard starts to take on its enchanting character, so be patient!

Step 2: Preheat Your Oven

While your cream is infusing, go ahead and preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. A gentle, low heat is key for slowly cooking the custard until it’s perfectly set but still tender in the center.

Step 3: Whisk Egg Yolks and Sugar

In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks with sugar until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened. This will help the sugar dissolve and incorporate smoothly into the custard, avoiding any graininess.

Step 4: Combine Cream and Egg Mixture

Strain the lavender cream to remove the herbs—you want a smooth custard without bits of lavender. Slowly pour half of the warm cream into the egg yolks while whisking continuously to temper the eggs and prevent scrambling. Then add the remaining cream and continue whisking until the custard is silky smooth.

Step 5: Strain the Custard

For an ultra-smooth texture, strain the custard once more into a clean bowl or saucepan. This catches any cooked egg bits or remaining lavender bits for the most perfect spoonful possible.

Step 6: Prepare Ramekins and Bake

Place your ramekins in a high-sided baking pan and pour the custard evenly into each. Carefully add hot water to the pan until it reaches halfway up the ramekins. This water bath ensures gentle, even cooking, preventing the custard from curdling or cracking.

Step 7: Bake and Chill

Bake the custards for 50 to 60 minutes, keeping an eye for a slight wobble in the center when you gently shake the pan—this means they are perfectly cooked. Then cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating for at least 2 hours to let the custard fully set and flavors meld beautifully.

Step 8: Caramelize the Sugar Topping

When you’re ready to serve your Lavender Creme Brulee Recipe, sprinkle a thin layer of sugar atop each custard. Use a kitchen blowtorch to melt and caramelize the sugar into a crisp, golden shell. Don’t have a torch? No worries — just pop the ramekins under a broiler for a few minutes until the sugar browns evenly. That satisfying crack of the caramel top is the grand finale!

How to Serve Lavender Creme Brulee Recipe

Garnishes

A little fresh lavender sprig or a few edible flowers can add a lovely touch and highlight the lavender flavor visually. A thin twist of lemon zest can also provide a bright contrast to the floral sweetness, delighting the senses.

Side Dishes

This dessert pairs beautifully with light, refreshing sides such as fresh berries or a simple citrus salad. The acidity and natural sweetness of fruit balance the creaminess and add a burst of freshness to each bite.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your Lavender Creme Brulee Recipe in charming individual ramekins or get playful with glass jars for a rustic appeal. For special occasions, try layering crushed lavender shortbread cookies underneath the custard for a delightful textural surprise.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

You can refrigerate leftover creme brulee for up to 3 days in airtight containers or keep the ramekins covered tightly with plastic wrap to preserve the custard’s smooth texture and delicate lavender aroma.

Freezing

While creme brulee is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze it if needed. Use airtight containers and leave room for expansion, but note that freezing can alter the creamy texture, so thaw slowly in the fridge before serving.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently in a warm oven or microwave briefly to bring custard back to room temperature, but avoid overheating. The sugar topping will need to be re-sprinkled and caramelized fresh for the best experience.

FAQs

Can I use dried lavender instead of fresh for this Lavender Creme Brulee Recipe?

Absolutely! Use half the amount of dried lavender compared to fresh since dried herbs have a more concentrated flavor. Just be sure to strain well to avoid any gritty texture.

What if I don’t have a kitchen blowtorch?

Not a problem. You can achieve the signature caramelized sugar topping by placing the ramekins under a hot broiler for 3-4 minutes. Keep a close watch to prevent burning.

How long should I infuse the cream with lavender?

Thirty minutes is ideal to extract a beautiful but not overpowering lavender scent. Longer infusions risk making the custard a bit bitter.

Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?

This classic creme brulee relies on heavy cream and egg yolks for texture and flavor, which are hard to replicate exactly with vegan substitutes. That said, experimenting with coconut cream and vegan egg replacers could be fun but expect a different result.

Is this recipe suitable for beginners?

Definitely! The steps are straightforward, and the ingredients are simple, but the result is impressive. Just be patient with the water bath and custard setting — those details make all the difference!

Final Thoughts

There you have it, a charming and elegant Lavender Creme Brulee Recipe that’s surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to wow. Whether it’s a special occasion or you just need a little sweet indulgence, this dessert brings joy in every spoonful. So, go ahead, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself and your loved ones to this floral, creamy delight — you’ll be so glad you did!

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