First things first: HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I hope you’re not all online to read my recipe today, but that you’ll keep this one in your back pocket for the next holiday coming up (or your next dinner party. Or weeknight snack.).
Real Talk: I didn’t write this recipe down as I was making it. This week has been a struggle to recover all my thoughts on the matter. I was so proud of the photos that I got a bit sidetracked. But alas, here we are. (But just look at the shine on those babies up there….Thanks Nagi! *affiliate*)
Regarding Egg Nog: Justin’s family is the most enthusiastic family I’ve ever seen. Growing up, they all had their own half-gallons in the fridge during the Christmas season. And they marked the liquid level on them after they drank it each day so that they would know if someone else drank out of their container. Please understand this was a very serious matter.
Personally, I can’t really do the stuff. I think it’s the thickness. It’s just so unbelievably heavy, especially when you get the “good” stuff from Braum’s, or other local dairies. BUT the flavor profile is all there in this dessert. I figured this could make us both happy – egg nog flavoring IN my favorite dessert…how could we go wrong?! (Note: yes, this means there is no actual egg nog inside this dessert, although it is indeed made of eggs and spices!)
I was also SO surprised at actually how simple creme brulee is to make in the first place! No more paying $6 for it at restaurants, after making it at home for the first time!! I used some fresh local eggs, and I’m sure it added to the richness and silky texture of the custard. We don’t have a fancy food blow torch, but Justin broke out his big camping butane torch…Worked like a charm. Plus, we didn’t catch the house on fire. That was a bonus.
Does your family have an unusually strong attachment to a holiday food item? I think my family’s would be these cookies. Let me know in the comments!
xxHillary
Egg Nog Creme Brulee
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ C. heavy cream
- ¼ C. milk
- 1 split and seeded vanilla bean
- 1/3 C. white sugar
- 5 egg yolks local
- ½ t. nutmeg
- ½ t. cinnamon
- sugar for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat cream and milk together with vanilla bean on the stove on low heat.
- Whisk together sugar and egg yolks until frothy and well combined.
- Temper the egg yolks by streaming in a small amount of hot cream liquid and whisking to incorporate. Add the rest of the mixture slowly.
- Stir in nutmeg and cinnamon.
- Pour into individual ramekins, and place in an oven-safe dish.
- Fill dish with a water bath until the water level reaches about halfway up the outsides of the ramekins.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until not jiggly in the centers.
- Remove to cool.
- Sprinkle white sugar generously on the top of each custard, and caramelize the tops with a blow torch.
- EnJOY!
Recipe Notes
The custards are best eaten when chilled. I recommend the custards being cold prior to torching. You can also refrigerate the custards if you're planning on eating them a day or two later. Just wait until you're ready to eat them to brulee the tops for that nice, crunchy finish!
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I love creme brulee and the fact that you threw in egg nog is making me crazy! I can’t wait to make this for my Christmas dinner party! I am totally gaga over the fact that you can make them ahead of time, that they are small portioned, and you can finish them right before you serve! Thanks for making my Christmas dinner a bit brighter!
Well thanks for stopping by, Jennifer!
I bet you could totally also sub in real egg nog for the milk for even more of a noggy flavor!
Egg nog, FOR THE WIN!
I’ve honestly always been too afraid to try eggnog, but this looks so good I’m going to give a try!! Can’t wait.
It doesn’t have real egg nog in it, so you can get the flavor without being afraid 🙂
What a fantastic idea. The perfect Christmas day dessert. Thanks for sharing.
Can you believe I have had creme brulee or egg nog?But just reading your recipe and seeing your beautiful pictures I know that I would love yours.
I was so surprised that creme brulee was so easy! Hope you will try it!
This looks so yummy Hilary, The pics llok great! Nice work. I must admit to never having accepted the challenge of the creme brulee at home. You are inspiring me! Must say my hubby would get out the camping torch too!
I love creme brulee normally, can’t even begin to imagine how amazing this must be! The perfect festive dessert!
Thanks, Annie! It’s just got a little extra fun!
I go back and forth on brûlée, I’m like you I don’t love it to thick but jackpot on making it with egg nig, great recipe! Thank you for sharing X
If you eat them a little warm, instead of chilled, you can get the flavor without the texture!
Love the pairing of eggnog flavors with the classic creme brulée. My husband just got me a kitchen torch for my birthday, so I have been brulée-ing all the things, and this will definitely be put in the queue!
My husband should consider that for me for Christmas, so I stop using his camping torch. I’ve seen him do too many scary things with it!
This looks amazing! I’ve never made creme brulee myself but I think egg nog might be the first version I try! Oh and I look love hearing how intense some families get about their egg nog, here we all just drink it as fast as possible and then get mad at whoever takes the last cup and if its an adult they have to go get more, haha 🙂
That sounds like a fair deal!
I love creme brûlée, and the fact that you added the egg nog flavor makes these sound even more amazing!!
Thanks, Kathryn!
This looks yummy. But did I miss the eggnog in the recipe? How is this different from a regular creme brulee recipe? ( I’ve never made it so this is genuine, not sarcastic lol) what makes the eggnog part of this?
You are correct! It does not include egg nog, the drink in it. It is Egg Nog flavored. The addition of the traditional egg nog spices make this different from regular (vanilla) creme brulee! (Maybe I should rename it. 🙂 )
Creme Brulee is one of my favorite desserts! I love this Egg Nog version, thank you for sharing!