Is crème brûlée the same as custard?

No, they are not the same. What’s the difference between crème brûlée and custard? Crème brûlée is a specific type of baked custard topped with caramelized sugar. While crème brûlée belongs to the custard family, not all custards receive that finishing sugar crust. Custard is a broad category of egg-and-dairy desserts, including many styles and consistencies. Therefore, crème brûlée stands apart due to its final caramelized topping.

What are the 3 types of custard?

There are several ways to categorize custards, but three main types include: Stirred Custard (Crème Anglaise): A pourable sauce gently cooked until thick but still liquid. Baked Custard (e.g., Flan): Cooked in the oven until set, often served chilled and firm enough to hold shape. Pastry Cream (Crème Pâtissière): Thickened with starch, this custard is used as a filling for pastries, cakes, and tarts. These three types showcase the diversity within the custard family.

Is crème brûlée served warm or cold?

Crème brûlée is typically served chilled. However, the caramelized sugar on top is applied right before serving, often using a torch. This process may slightly warm the surface sugar but leaves the creamy custard beneath cool. That contrast between the cool custard and warm, brittle caramel top enhances the dessert’s experience.

Is crème brûlée basically pudding?

Not exactly. Although both are creamy desserts, their thickening agents differ. Crème brûlée uses eggs to set the custard. Pudding often relies on starches like cornstarch for thickening. In addition, crème brûlée’s defining feature is its caramelized sugar crust. Conversely, puddings do not require torching sugar, and their textures differ significantly. Thus, calling crème brûlée a pudding oversimplifies the differences.

What's The Difference Between Crème Brûlée And Custard?

Name: Crème Brûlée
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 2 cups heavy cream; 5 large egg yolks; 1/2 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for topping); 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; Pinch of salt

Description

Crème brûlée is the ultimate elegant dessert—a smooth, creamy vanilla custard topped with a thin, crackly layer of caramelized sugar. This French classic offers a perfect balance of richness and texture, making it a favorite at fine restaurants and dinner parties alike. With just a few simple ingredients and the magic of a kitchen torch, you can create a show-stopping dessert that delights in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups heavy cream
5 large egg yolks
1/2 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for topping)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
In a medium saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until just steaming—do not boil.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until light and smooth.
Slowly pour the warm cream into the egg mixture while whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a pouring jug to ensure a smooth texture.
Divide the mixture evenly among 4–6 ramekins.
Place ramekins in a deep baking dish and fill the dish with hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the custard is set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
Remove ramekins from the water bath and let cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Just before serving, sprinkle 1–2 teaspoons of sugar evenly on top of each custard.
Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until it forms a golden, crackly crust. Let sit for 1–2 minutes before serving.

Notes

If you don’t have a torch, place the ramekins under a broiler briefly to caramelize the sugar, watching carefully.

For flavor variations, infuse the cream with a split vanilla bean, espresso, or citrus zest before mixing.

Serve with fresh berries or a mint sprig for a decorative touch.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: French

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 ramekin
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 24g
Sodium: 45mg
Fat: 27g
Saturated Fat: 17g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 220mg

Keywords: crème brûlée, classic French dessert, vanilla custard, caramelized sugar topping, elegant dinner party dessert