Pandan Crème Brûlée Recipe

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Welcome to the delightful world of the Pandan Crème Brûlée Recipe, where the classic French custard meets the enchanting, aromatic essence of pandan. This tropical twist elevates the rich, silky custard with pandan’s unique vanilla-like, subtly grassy flavor, all crowned with a satisfyingly crisp caramelized sugar crust. It’s an elegant yet approachable dessert that excites the palate and captures the imagination, making it perfect for impressing friends or simply enjoying a special treat at home.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Pandan Crème Brûlée Recipe starts with a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients that each play a vital role. From the rich creaminess of fresh heavy cream to the earthy sweetness of pandan extract, every component combines to create a harmonious balance of flavor, texture, and aroma.

• 2 cups heavy cream: Provides the luscious, velvety base that makes this custard rich and indulgent.
• 1/2 cup whole milk: Lightens the cream slightly while contributing to a smooth texture.
• 5 large egg yolks: Essential for thickening the custard with their natural richness and color.
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for topping): Sweetens the custard and creates the signature brûlée crust.
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth, complementing the pandan beautifully.
• 2 tablespoons pandan extract or juice: Infuses the custard with its distinctive, tropical flavor and gentle green hue.
• A pinch of salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness for a perfectly rounded taste.

How to Make Pandan Crème Brûlée Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Cream Mixture

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (160°C). In a saucepan, gently heat the heavy cream and milk over medium heat until it’s just steaming. It’s important not to boil the mixture here, as overheating can affect the texture of the custard later. This warm cream will later infuse with pandan and vanilla, creating the luxurious base for your dessert.

Step 2: Whisk Egg Yolks, Sugar, and Salt

While your cream is warming, take a mixing bowl and whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and a pinch of salt until the mixture turns pale and slightly thickened. This process aerates the yolks and sugar, ensuring a smooth custard that’s rich yet delicate.

Step 3: Temper the Eggs with Warm Cream

Slowly pour the warm cream mixture into your egg yolks while whisking constantly. This crucial step gently raises the temperature of the eggs without cooking them too quickly, preventing lumps and curdling. It sets the stage for an ultra-smooth custard.

Step 4: Add Pandan and Vanilla Extracts

Stir in 2 tablespoons of pandan extract (or fresh pandan juice for a natural touch) along with the vanilla extract. These fragrant ingredients will bring that unmistakable tropical flavor and a subtle, lovely green tint to your custard.

Step 5: Strain and Pour Into Ramekins

To ensure absolute smoothness, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a pouring jug. This removes any tiny lumps or cooked egg bits. Divide the custard evenly among 4 to 6 ramekins, setting up for the classic water bath baking method.

Step 6: Bake in a Water Bath

Place the ramekins in a deep baking dish and carefully pour hot water into the dish until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins. This gentle water bath helps cook the custards evenly and keeps them creamy. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the centers are just set, dripping only a slight jiggle when gently shaken.

Step 7: Cool and Refrigerate

Once baked, remove the ramekins from the water bath and allow them to cool to room temperature before refrigerating for at least 4 hours or overnight. Patience here rewards you with custards that develop depth and smoothness, ready for their delightful finale.

Step 8: Caramelize the Sugar Topping

When it’s time to serve, sprinkle a thin, even layer of granulated sugar over each custard surface. Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar until it forms a golden, crisp crust. Let this cool and harden for a couple of minutes — this crackly caramelized top is where the magic happens!

How to Serve Pandan Crème Brûlée Recipe

Garnishes

To celebrate the vibrant pandan flavor, consider simple garnishes like a fresh pandan leaf or a few edible flowers for visual appeal. A light dusting of toasted coconut flakes can add a crunchy contrast while echoing tropical vibes beautifully.

Side Dishes

Pandan Crème Brûlée pairs wonderfully with fresh tropical fruits such as mango, pineapple, or passionfruit. Serving alongside a crisp fruit salad or a delicate shortbread biscuit complements the creamy custard with bright and crunchy textures.

Creative Ways to Present

For a contemporary twist, serve the custard in mini glass jars or small cups topped with vibrant green pandan sugar crystals for an eye-catching swirl. You could even layer the custard with a thin coconut jelly for additional texture and a playful fusion experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once baked and cooled, you can cover the custards tightly with plastic wrap or lids and refrigerate them for up to 2 days. Keep the sugar topping unbrûléed until just before serving to maintain the perfect crispy texture.

Freezing

Freezing is not recommended for this delicate custard as it may compromise the creamy texture once thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh or fully chilled within a couple of days.

Reheating

Reheat is unnecessary for this cold dessert, but if you want to soften the custard slightly, let it sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving. Always brûlée the sugar crust fresh to ensure that wonderful crack.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pandan leaves instead of extract?

Absolutely! Fresh pandan juice can be made by blending pandan leaves with water and straining, which lends a more natural fragrance and flavor to your custard. Just replace the extract with an equal amount of the juice.

What if I don’t have a kitchen torch?

No kitchen torch? No problem! You can sprinkle sugar on top and place the ramekins under a very hot broiler for a couple of minutes until the sugar caramelizes. Watch closely to avoid burning.

How long should I chill the custard?

For the best texture and flavor, chill your Pandan Crème Brûlée Recipe for at least 4 hours or ideally overnight. This helps the custard set fully and allows the flavors to develop beautifully.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

This traditional recipe relies on cream, milk, and egg yolks for its texture and flavor, so making a vegan version would require significant substitutions, like coconut milk and plant-based egg alternatives. However, experimenting with those could yield a tasty tropical custard!

Why does the custard sometimes get lumpy?

Lumps form when the eggs cook too quickly due to overheating. Tempering the eggs by slowly mixing in warm cream and baking in a water bath helps avoid this. Straining the mixture before baking also ensures extra smoothness.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to surprise your taste buds with a dessert that’s both classic and exotically exotic, the Pandan Crème Brûlée Recipe is your new best friend. It’s elegant, luscious, and filled with the warm aroma of pandan, making it a wonderful conversation starter and a joy to savor. Give it a try—you won’t regret taking this tropical journey!

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