Est. 2021 · Members in 40+ countries
Illustration of Crème Brûlée
French · Dessert

Crème Brûlée

Vanilla custard under a crackling caramel crust.

Time
55 min
Serves
4
Skill
Medium
Heat
None
Diet
Vegetarian

Pairing at a glance

WineChâteau d’YquemComplement WineTaylor’s 20 Year Old Tawny PortComplement SpiritRémy Martin 1738 Accord RoyalComplement

The pairing logic

Sweet, creamy custard loves honeyed dessert wines, tawny port or a fruity Cognac.

  • creamy
  • sweet
  • vanilla
  • caramel
What to pour

DRINK WITH THIS

Wine

Perfect matchComplement Château d’Yquem Sweet white · Sauternes · 13.5% Honey, apricot and vanilla in the wine match the custard. See the wine → Great matchComplement Taylor’s 20 Year Old Tawny Port Fortified wine · Tawny Port · 20.0% Burnt-caramel notes echo the crust. See the wine →

Spirits

Great matchComplement Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal Cognac · 40.0% Orange blossom and vanilla suit custard. See the spirit →

Cocktails

AdventurousEcho Sidecar Cognac Orange liqueur and Cognac echo caramelised sugar. See the cocktail →

Rules used: Complement — Similar flavours that echo and support each other. Contrast — Opposites that balance: sweet against spicy, acid against rich. Cut — Tannin or acidity that slices through fat and richness. Echo — One shared flavour or ingredient links the plate and the glass. Cleanse — Bubbles, acidity or cold that refresh the palate between bites. Regional — What grows together goes together: same place, same table. Learn more →

The recipe

HOW TO MAKE IT

Ingredients · serves 4

Method · prep 15 min · cook 40 min

  1. 1

    Heat the cream with the vanilla until just steaming and infuse 10 minutes.

  2. 2

    Whisk yolks with sugar, then slowly stir in the cream and strain into ramekins.

  3. 3

    Bake in a tin of hot water at 150°C (300°F) for 35–40 minutes until just set with a wobble.

  4. 4

    Chill, then sprinkle with sugar and caramelise with a blowtorch just before serving.

Cook’s tip

Cool the custards completely before torching.

MORE FOR THE TABLE

Veg French · Dessert Dark Chocolate Pots 20 min Veg French · Dessert Tarte Tatin 65 min Non-veg French · Main Lemon and Thyme Roast Chicken 90 min

Please enjoy responsibly. Pairings are suggestions based on classic flavour principles, not rules. Check ingredients for allergies and cook meat and poultry thoroughly.