This Orange Ginger Creme Brûlée is the perfect make ahead dessert so your V-day cooking will be minimal and you will have enough time and energy to turn up the heat elsewhere!
You may know by now that we never get to spend Valentine’s Day together. Chef couples make the ultimate sacrifice on the most romantic days of the year to guarantee that yours will be most memorable. It’s harder for others to accept that we never get to be together on Valentine’s but it is really not an issue for us.
It’s kind of mushy but we both feel really happy to help to ignite new romances, sustain the fires of flaming ones and ruffle up the feathers of those that have all but gotten dormant. I delight in hearing my hubby plan his menus using food to get people in the mood for love. So, while he is busy with full covers on V-Day, I will be having this hedonistic treat by myself. I will leave one behind for him.
Crème Brulee is the gold standard of French desserts and practically everybody’s favourite and for good reason. This individually portioned treat oozes with sweet creamy decadence, which makes if an oft-ordered final course in restaurants.
Until recently, I never bothered to make it at home. It would appear that anything tasted so sinfully delicious and refined ought to require a painstakingly difficult preparation right? Not so!
If you have already booked your table for two on V-Day, skip dessert and come home to these and a nice glass of your favourite wine. If you have no plans, just make a nice tasty one-pot meal and grab these babies from the fridge. If you are doing it solo, you will delight in these self-indulgent delights. They can be made the night before and taken out of the fridge 30minutes before serving.
Orange Ginger Creme Brûlée
Creme Brûlée is easier to make than you think. Here is the best foolproof recipe and method for a scrumptious portion controlled dessert that is perfect for entertaining.
Ingredients
6 egg yolks
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 tablespoon orange zest (about 3 oranges)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ginger extract (optional)
¼ cup caster sugar
For caramel top:
- ½ teaspoon sugar per ramekin
- Handheld butane torch/broiler
Instructions
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In a mixer, add egg yolks and sugar and beat with whisk attachment until thick and light yellow in colour. Add the lemon zest, ginger extract, vanilla and cream and stir until incorporated.
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Pour the liquid in a large measuring cup through a sieve catching all the foamy bits and zest or any container with a pouring spout. Pour gently into four ramekins in even proportions.
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Place ramekins in a bain marie (water bath) filled half way up ramekins and place in oven at 180C for 50-55 minutes until sides are cooked through. Centre will be slightly soft even when done. Cool completely on a wire rack then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
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Before serving, add ½ teaspoon sugar and dust it all over the ramekin so that the top is evenly coated. Caramelize with a small butane torch or under the broiler (at least 5 inches below for about 2 minutes).
CHEF’S NOTES: To get rid of all air bubbles, after mixing the custard, refrigerate for a few hours our overnight for all the air to rise to the top, producing a smoother top when baked. You may also substitute orange zest and ginger extract for other preferred flavours including espresso chocolate, cinnamon or nutmeg. Or you can go totally classic and stick with vanilla only.
freespiriteater says
I LOVE creme brulee, but have never had an orange flavored one this looks great! Wish I had a blow torch lol. Thanks for sharing, every photo on your site is absolutely stunning. Have a beautiful day! =]
Chef and Steward says
You may use the broiler in you oven. There is no reason to miss out on this treat especially since you love creme brulee, if you do not have a hand torch. See the method for details.
Sandra says
How decadent and delightful!
Chef and Steward says
It certainly is!Thanks Sandra!
Sanura of MyLifeRunsOnFood.com says
Older couples know being romantic happens year-round. A great dessert to celebrate Valentine’s Day when the other half is super busy.
Chef and Steward says
Aye aye sister! Those roses were taken from a bouquet I got with red and yellow roses and orchids last week. The week before I got one of red roses. I get flowers throughout the year without occasion and may not get any on V-Day itself. We agree wholeheartedly that one day cannot make up for a year of nothingness. Romance is a day to day thing… and that is why little things like cooking together or for each other year-round add spark to relationships. And yes, we ought to also be romancing our own selves!
Finishing Touch Salt (@FTSalts) says
This not only looks delicious, it makes a lovely presentation. Can’t wait to try this. Thank you for sharing!
The Duo Dishes says
Good thing you don’t have to be in a couple to enjoy a romantic dessert. lol Creme brulee is the queen of sweets!
Chef and Steward says
Certainly not! As much as we are a couple, in many ways we lead single lives due to the demands of our work. But more so, even couples should have healthy doses of individuality. Being single is as whole as being a part of a couple and singles ought to have joys even on days like Valentine’s when everything gets divided by two. In that case, it’s just more for singles!
blackfrangipani says
Thanks for sharing this wonderful dessert. It’s my favourite. Orange and ginger gives a nice twist to this classic dessert. Chef’s tips are most helpful. Can’t wait to try it out.
Chef and Steward says
Thank you so much! We certainly hope you try it and come back and let us know how it went!
Alaiyo says
I’ve been reading your blog but have finally decided to leave a comment once I saw the decadent dessert! I’ve been joking with my husband that I want him to make a fancy dessert for me for Valentine’s Day. I’m going to show him this recipe and see what happens on Tuesday! 🙂
Chef and Steward says
Alaiyo, we are thrilled that we finally coaxed you to leave a comment! This dessert does the trick. The orange and the ginger add fresh and warm notes to this creme brulee. You can halve the recipe for only the two of you. We certainly hope he likes the idea and that you will make it and come back and tell us how he likes it.
Daisy@Nevertoosweet says
How selfish of me 🙁 I’ve never really thought of thanking the chefs who sacrifice their own Valentine’s day to cook for us.
This creme brulee looks and sounds amazing ~ Yummy!
Thanks for the great recipe! Hope you have a great valentines day!
Ron Kule says
My wife and I traveled a lot and we always tried out creme brulees wherever we went — in search of the greatest one. We found it, believe it or not, close to home at the Fort Harrison Hotel right in Clearwater, Florida!
imagesbytdashfield says
Oh good heavens this looks good!!!! And one of these days I may get up the nerve to try it.
Jill @ MadAboutMacarons says
Love crème brûlée, as it gives plenty whites to stock for macarons! Now I love the idea of skipping dessert at the restau and coming back home for these ‘en amoureux’! Love the ginger touch, too. Beauties.