A Family Favorite - Crème Caramel Recipe
Say hello to my favourite dessert of all time Crème Caramel
Crème Caramel is one of my favorite desserts between Crème Caramel and Crème brulee they are my top two favorite desserts. While they are similar there are slight differences between these two desserts. However, for this post I'm going to share a Crème Caramel recipe.
It took me a long time before I figured out this recipe and got it just right, just like my mom used to make. Seriously, people used to rave about my mom's Crème Caramel it was the best! Smooth (no bumps or lumps at all), creamy and oh that liquid caramel on top that she sometimes used to spike with Grand Marnier oh my so good! Even my husband to this day compares all Crème Caramels (including mine) to my mom's, hers was that good that even some of the finer restaurants we found that served it weren't up to snuff 🙂
Crème Caramel is meant to be smooth and oh so creamy but not heavy, it's not heavy like a cheesecake. It should not taste "eggy" either. There's been a lot of discussion if flan and It's almost light but it's creamier than any flan. I would never compare Crème Caramel to a flan even though I have seen some people do that. Some day a flan has a pastry crust etc.. Crème Caramel never has a crust, it's the French version and more common in Spain, a creamy custard with caramel, it's amazing. The caramel takes the most work in my opinion, waiting for that sugar to get hot enough to liquefy. You have to keep an eye on the sugar at all times as you don't want it to burn but you do want it to be a gold or amber colour like mine in the photo.
Crème Caramel Recipe
Ingredients
Custard
- 2 cups heavy cream (or 3 cups whipping cream and no milk which is what I used)
- 1 cup milk
- ½ vanilla bean or 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 2 eggs
- Pinch of salt
Caramel
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- For the custard:
- Heat the oven to 325°F.
- Heat the cream and milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat until scalded (watch for small bubbles on the sides of the pan).
- Add the vanilla or vanilla bean depending on what you're using.
- While the cream is heating go and slowly whisk the sugar into the egg yolks and eggs.
- Once the milk is scalded slowly whisk the hot cream/milk into the sugar/yolk mixture.
- Strain the mixture through a fine sieve and then stir in the salt and vanilla extract, if using.
Caramel
- Arrange ramekins (should make 6, 6oz ramekins) in a baking dish with deep sides, fill the baking dish ¾ full of water and set aside.
- Add sugar into a new saucepan and add just enough water to dissolve the sugar, and set the pot over high heat.
- **TIP** this is one I learned that some recipes don't mention DO NOT stir the sugar and water, swirl it around in the pan.
- Swirl the pan around to even out the caramelization.
- Once the caramel is a nice dark golden brown (or at least it's a slight thicker golden liquid) pour it into the ramekins.
- Make sure that each ramekin is covered with a thin layer of caramel on the bottom
- Pour the custard into the caramel lined ramekins and bake until set, 25 to 50 minutes depending on your oven.
- Once they are set remove the baking dish from the oven and let the ramekins cool in the water bath.
- Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0g
This is what the sugar looks like when it starts to caramelize. It almost hardens at first and then it dissolves and becomes an amber colour.
It's important to make sure you put your ramekins in a water bath. This helps to prevent the custard and caramel from burning while it's baking.
To serve run a thin knife around the edge of the custard and invert it onto a dessert plate, scraping any caramel from the ramekin onto the custard. We like to make sure we get every drop of caramel oh so delicious! 🙂 Everyone in my family loves this dessert so my mom's recipe lives on and is enjoyed by new generations.
I am only interested in the carmel sauce.
That sounds delicious. Not the easiest thing to make though.
This is the perfect recipe for me! I've bookmarked it--thank you!
Just add coffee ,I am in 7th Heaven! Thanks
Thank you for sharing. I will have to save this . It looks delicious.
This is my favourite dessert as well! Is this Flan in Spanish style?
This is great, always wondered how to make creme caramel.
I grow up eating what we called Flan and this sounds awesome and a must try recipe. Thanks for sharing such a awesome delicious recipe.
I wish I could make this, but I have nothing to bake it in. It really looks delicious!
The past few days I've been sampling these Werther's Original Caramels and now am craving a caramel treat like this. I'm going to get some caramel flavoring for my coffee for a fix until I can get baking in the kitchen.
This is such a nice recipe for the winter months. I thank you so much for the fact that you cared to share such a gem with us.
This looks amazing. Caramel is my favorite! treat.
My boyfriend loves flan so I bet he would love this recipe. I might have to make it as a special treat next month. I love caramel and I bet I would love this recipe.
That inside shot looks so much more delicious than any custard or flan I've seen! The texture has always been what kept from eating them but maybe not now... 😉
It's so different from any of the flans I've tried Elle. It's creamy custard, flan to me has been more jello like and I don't care for the flans I've tried anyways.
This looks like a wonderful treat to make for the holidays!
This looks and sounds so delicious I can't wait to try this out for myself.
Looks good!! Thank you for sharing! Happy Holidays!
It looked delicious more like fine dining in my opinion, but it is easier than I thought.
Yummy!
This looks so delicious. I need to buy some ramekins so I can make it.
This is one of my favorites also! Thank you posting the tip about what the sugar will look like...at that point I would have thought I made a mistake! 🙂 Looks fairly easy...think it's going to be Christmas Eve dessert! Thanks!!
This looks so yummy. I have issues with dairy, but I am more than willing to take a digestive pill so I could gobble this up.
Yummy! I will pass this on to my wife for a holiday desert. It looks fabulous!
Ohhh man! This looks absolutely delicious. Rich... but so delicious. I've always seen these desserts, but I've actually never tried one. I'm not 100% sure that i'm brave enough to make this myself, however if someone made it, I would SO try it.
This recipe sounds so yummy. I have never made crème burlee, I am going to try this recipe.
This sounds decadent! I will definitely have to try this, thanks for sharing!!
This looks delicious.
Thank you for sharing this recipe!!
I have been looking for one it seems like forever =)
I LOVE caramel. Would love to try this ?
i LOVE caramel. this looks amazing! i would add some salt on top!
I've only ever had this in a restaurant.....it would be fun to make this for my next dinner party.
That look so good, but I can't see myself making it. I would definitely eat it.
Oh, golly, I'm salivating. This looks really good. Thanks for the info. I can't cook well, so easy to understand recipes are great for me.
This looks amazing. I cannot wait to try this!
This sounds wonderful! I need to try this recipe
This looks so delicious. I am going to try to make this.
Looks yummy
This looks delicious!
this looks as yummy as a cheese cake
This looks to die for. It looks a little complicated but I'm up for the challenge. Thanks for sharing.
I have never had Creme Caramel but this looks and sounds delicious and I am bookmarking this page so I can try this recipe.
Looks amazing , can't wait to try making it.
This recipe looks delicious. I have eaten this before but never tried to actually make it. Perfect time will be during the holidays!
Totally making this - I haven't had Creme Caramel in YEARS!
That amber color is amazing, it looks like a dessert you would get at a four-star restaurant. I think I will have to serve this at Christmas!
thanks for sharing this recipe I will have to try it . It does not look like hard to make
I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO MAKE THESE RIGHT FOR YEARS THEY ARE MY FAV BUT I CANT EVER GET THEM THE RIGHT CONSISTENCY
This looks so delicious, and it looks easy to make.
This looks so good. I am going to have to make this.
looks yummy... I don't own Ramekins however
I enjoy anything that has caramel in it and that is one of my favorite flavors. I would love to try this.
Wow this looks soo good I have to try it! I like flan but love caramel!! Your recipe seems like something I can do so thank you for the instructions
This looks so delicious! Can't wait to try it! Thanks for sharing!
This sounds so good. It looks like it turned out great. I have never made this before. I will be giving it a try soon
I love caramel, and this just looks great! I will try it, hopefully it will turn out like yours. It really looks delicious. Thanks for sharing.
That looks delicious!
This looks so good. I think my blood sugar just went up about 100 points but it looks like it's worth.
Thus looks seductively good. rather like Flan, only nicer maybe!
I first saw this on your Facebook page, and knew immediately it was something I wanted to try. The ingredients list has me thinking it will be very rich, so it would be a special occasion dessert. But oh, my! I want some! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
oh my goodness,that looks so amazingly good
Oh that looks delicious! I love caramel!
This looks heavenly. I've never tried a creme caramel recipe but I have made flan. It seems like the number of egg yolks and the cream instead of all milk is the biggest difference to me.
Interesting..sounds good. I love cheese cake..and this seems to be similar..but lighter.
It looks like a flan.
Thanks
That looks so good! I love anything with caramel. It is my favorite!
Oh my goodness, this looks amazing! A perfect way to indulge after a hectic day.
That sounds really good. I love a dessert that isn't too sweet. And, it's fairly easy to make.
Wow, this looks incredible! I'm going to pin this to my Food board on Pinterest. I think I will try it out for my Christmas get together for my family too!
had to pin this for when i get time to make it yum!
Thank you for sharing, love this recipe
This looks fabulous! I'm not super talented in the kitchen but I might be able to pull this off with some help. I know my family would love it.
this looks like a wonderful dessert. I think I will try to make it this weekend. thank you for the recipe.
I made a flan before ant it's almost the same I'm gonna try this
This looks great!! I can not wait to try it out!
I have never made anything like this and I have made lots of desserts, sure does look good! Thanks for sharing!
I have only ever had Creme Carmel once before and I was not a fan. Not sure if it was the maker of if I just don't like it??! lol I guess I should try again!! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
WOW, this dessert looks absolutely delicious!! I LOVE light, creamy desserts like this, but I have never had a crème caramel before. It looks heavenly, I would only be worried that I wouldn't be able to make it as good! 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing this special recipe with us!
This looks and sounds so good. I really can't wait to give this recipe a try. Thank you so much for sharing
That looks so good! I've never made anything like that, but I really should try it. I'm craving some right now!
WOW! Thanks so much for the Delicious Recipe on Crème Caramel So Yummy! It looks so delicious! I've never had or made Crème Brulee! I never knew what exactly it was! Now I see how to make it and the ingredients that are involved, I just may give it a try! I don't have these type of dishes to bake them in! I guess I'll have to look around for some! Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful recipe with all of us! I honestly appreciate it! Thanks again, Michele 🙂
This sounds great, thank you for sharing.
Looks good, not something I have ever made at home so I might just have to give it a try one of these days. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
OK. THIS is what I call a dessert! Creamy, smooth, satisfying....OMG. Looks like flan, I HAVE to make this. Thanks!! *getting very hungry right now*
These look incredibly good. I am going to have to try making some. My fiance and I love baking all sorts of stuff and I think we would love the Creme Caramel.I bought a new range in April and the oven is so much better that what we had.
The picture looks intimidating, but the recipe sounds like I can handle it. thanks
MMM! Looks so good! Gonna have to try this when I have some spare time.
My husband will love this recipe. I am going to make it for him tonight, thanks so much.
I know my family is going to love this recipe. I can't wait to try it out.
WOW! This looks so good! Thank you for sharing!
ive never tried a recipe like this but i so am, i was wondering if you had a good tres leches recipe, i so need one, i love it and it is so exspensive to buy. Thank you for the great recipe
This looks really good will have to try and make some soon.
OMG ! my mouth is watering. I love caramel, cream and this recipe. 🙂 I'm going to definitely try to make it.
Thanks so much for sharing. If I make it right my daughter will love you for it. 🙂
Carol L
This I may have to try. I haven't found one that I like yet, but am not giving up.
That sounds so wonderfully delicious and fattening. I've got to try it.
Never tried Cream caramel but always thought about it, it looks delicious, i think the only way to find out if my kids would like it is to try it =)
Thanks for sharing this recipe!! looks delicious and I'm thinking about trying it out on the husband this weekend
OMG this looks and sounds so amazing! If ONLY I had the patience to cook it! *le sigh* ah well... I shall prin recipe and wait for the day my 4 yr old is old enough to cook >,>
Oh this sounds scrumptious and looks that way too! I will have to try this!
Thanks for the post and the recipe!
i am craving something sweet right now and this looks amazing 😉 thanks for sharing!!! saving this recipe
I have never attempted to make one of these but your recipe appears to be easy enough to try it. Thank you so much for sharing.
I LOVE to cook & bake. However, I have never made Creme' Brulee or Creme' Caramel. Now, after reading your post, I am definately going to try it! This looks soooo YUMMY! 🙂
this looks delicious! wonderful photo =)
That looks so good! I have never made creme caramel or creme brulle, but I would like to try it now.
I am an absolute chocolate "freak" but if i had to choose between this creme caramel dessert and any chocolate dessert, the creme caramel would come out on top. I can't believe I said that.
This looks delicious! Thanks for sharing;)
YUM-O 🙂 That's making my mouth water. LOL!! That dessert is actually pretty. I know that sounds strange but it is. It looks like silk. My sister and nieces would love this. I'm going to have to pin this. Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
This looks yummy!
I love caramel I cant wait till tomorrow I am going to try and make this with my kids They are gonna love this
Creme Brulee is my favorite dessert, so this twist on the same idea really caught my eye! I absolutely love caramel, that's another reason this recipe appealed to me. The best part is that my son will be able to indulge as well; he has allergies to peanuts and tree nuts, so he misses out on a lot of awesome desserts. Thanks for sharing...I will let you know how we liked it!!!
yes do let me know Dana, I love it and creme caramel is my #1 favorite dessert then creme brulee do you see a pattern? lol
Looks delicious and so easy to make. I definitely have to try this and bring it to friends at their bbq
sibabe64 at ptd dot net
This looks delicious! I'm going to have to pick up the ingredients when I run to the grocery store today and make it this weekend! 🙂
My Mom would love this
I love caramel! I have never tried creme-caramel before,but it looks delicious.I will be trying this recipe soon.Thanks for sharing!
This looks so delicious. I want some now. Thank you for the recipe. Going to get the ingredients needed to make it this week.
Yumm
This is a wonderful recipe. My Mom used to make this for our family and we always thought of it as the treat it was.
Is this the same stuff mexican restaurants sell? So good!
Shirley nope it's not, it's a french dessert, similar to flan but much creamier and richer than flan 🙂
This looks soooooo yummy. I may actually have to try to make it soon.
This sounds easy I must try this soon
I love caramel even more than chocolate, this sounds heavenly!!
THis Creme caramel recipe looks and sounds delicious. Is it the same recipe as your mom's or did you have to figure it out from memory?
Hi Jo-Ann, I had to figure it out by memory and trying it out I knew the taste as soon as I found it lol
This looks utterly delicious. I am putting this into my recipe book!
Fantastic recipe. This one's going in the book!
This looks amazing!!! I have never had creme brulee but have always wanted to. Now I have 2 new desserts I have to try!!! Thanks for posting!
I love both cream custard and caramel. I'm going to try this next week.
Have you ever made Creme Brulee? It looks similar to this, but with a crunchy caramel topping. Would love to try making it.
yes I have Cheryl; creme brulee is very similar 🙂
Yum....Is this the same as Flan? Looks like the same ingredients for the most part. Sound delicious!
very similar but I find flan not to be as creamy or rich
OMG!! That looks fricken delicious! I am going to have to try this recipe out sometimes.
Oh my gosh!!! This looks so good, I have to go buy something caramel now! I love soft creamy caramel, that is my weakness, yum!!
caramel is one of my favorite flavors. had this on a cruise and it was delicious.
This looks so interesting and I do love caramel.
Gonna try this! Looks awesome! Not too sweet!
yum! great recipe...gonna try it tonight 🙂
hope you enjoy it Roe!
Oh these look so good. I really have to try these. The caramel topping makes me a little nervous but what the heck. I can wait to taste them.
Yummy. Yummy. This looks so good. I absolutely have to make this for my mother. She loves caramel. Thank you for the recipe. I'm pinning it right now.
Delicious!
This sounds like something my husband would truly love, so I'm going to give it a shot. Thank you for such a detailed recipe. I am the type who has to have step by step instructions.
This looks like Heaven!! I also want to thank you for the tip about stirring the sugar
I just had to pin this recipe!!! thanks for sharing it
This recipe looks easy and delicious. I am going to try to make it for my family.
Delicious sounding recipe! I'm a terrible cook without really good directions, and I love the way that you described each step in the process. Can't wait to try it!
This looks amazing. I am a huge caramel fiend!
Creme Caramel and Creme Brulee - hands down my Honey/Hubby's (and MY) favorite desserts! The problem with making either for Dad's Day - is that HE is the master of Creme Concoctions - especially Brulee (I think it's because I loves the flaming part with the propane "torch." So I would dare even attempt to take on the Creme Brulee challenge - even if there are dozens of delicious variations once you get the concept down.
His mastery of the Creme Caramel however is more hit or miss - although his "misses" are still plenty yummy. But armed with your special recipe I think I might give it a go for this upcoming "special occasion" - especially knowing that fresh berries are finally in abundance (and at affordable prices - this week anyway) I can cover up any mind (or major) faux pas...
Thanks Michelle.
P.S. I DO (really!) know people who sprinkle crumbled BACON on top of Creme Caramel - since after all - who doesn't love "Bacon & Eggs" ??? ; - )
lol JEsslyn I"m not sure I could bacon on my creme caramel but good point 🙂
SUCCESS! Thank you for this. I came, I saw, I conquered... creme caramel. Thanks for the recipe, it worked great. As a dad blogger myself I enjoy your posts. Keep it up!
You are welcome Adam and so glad the recipe worked for you, it works me every time and I'm very picky when it comes to creme caramel as I always compare it to my moms which is still the best 🙂
This looks amazing! Sweets are my weakness! I love all kinds of sweets! I really really wish I would've already made this so I could eat it right now! All the ingredients are very simple and doesn't seem to hard to make.. Carmel custard! I'm going to make it tonight! Thanks for the great idea!
This looks very good, thank you for sharing.
This looks really good, will be giving this a try.
Whoa! This looks awesome! I love crème brulee but could never make it at home, but this looks doable! I'm salivating right now 🙂
Oh wow! I love all things caramel and I love custards and creme brulees, so this recipe is made for me!
this looks absolutely delicious 🙂
This looks sooo good. I've never herd of it but I am going to try it. Looks like it doesn't take many ingredients so it will be made soon at my house. I like anything I try that has caramel.
Oh my goodness! Caramel is my favorite! I am so trying this.
That looks sooooooo yummy! Utterly decadent! And it seems fairly easy to make. Thanks for making my tummy growl!
Great googly moogly. This makes me want to cheat on my diet so, so badly!!
This is one of those mouthwatering recipes that everyone has to love.Thank you for it.
You are welcome Wanda it is soooo good 😉
Love caramel. My favorite dessert is flan and this recipe looks easy and delicious. I am going to try to make it and surprise the family.
That looks yummy! I will probably try to look up how much calories it contains online though, because I don't want to overindulge and gain weight! 🙂 Do you have any lighter dessert recipes?
no lighter ones for creme caramel Elena at least none that I've tried it wouldn't be the same but I might have other recipes I will try to find them 🙂
This looks scrumptious and a fine dessert to make and enjoy; thanks much for recipe!
This looks super good! I miss being able to cook with milk stuff! My husband is allergic now. 😛
My eyes lit up when I saw the photo. I love caramel. The recipe sounds fairly easy too. Thanks for the tip about not stirring the sugar. I never knew that.
you are welcome Lisa, I didn't either until I read it somewhere most recipes don't mention it
I always thought there was some magical secret to making Creme Caramel - but now you've shown me it really isn't hard at all! I'll give it a shot!
nope it really isn`t that hard to make creme caramel, once you`ve done it a few times it`s easy 🙂
This looks so delicious!!
Oh I know this isn't on South Beach... but I am going to make it when I hit my goal!
One of my favorite desserts! Thanks for posting this recipe.
OOOOOOOOOO! I am a caramel addict! oops, there's my confession for the week! But I don't eat hard caramel, just the sauces and coffee caramels. That recipe looks really good with that caramel sauce! yumeeeeee