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The moment that you have all been waiting for, has finally arrived! I wish to present to you.....dairy-free Creme Brulee!!! Let's all pause for a moment. Okay, for those of you who are not lactose intolerant, this may not be all that exciting. For those of us who drool over the rich, creamy desserts at neighboring tables in restaurants, this is a major accomplishment!
If you are not looking for a dairy-free version, keep reading! You can easily substitute heavy cream for the coconut milk, since all I did was swap out the same amount of coconut milk for the cream in the original recipe. It really is that simple folks.
How to make Creme Brulee without Dairy
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Fill a large pot with an inch or two of water and bring to a boil.
In a large stainless steel mixing bowl, beat together egg yolks, 4 Tablespoons sugar, and pulp from one vanilla bean until thick and creamy.
In a small saucepan over LOW heat, stir and heat coconut milk until it almost comes to a boil. Remove from heat.
Use a ladle to pour a small amount of heated milk into the egg yolk mixture. We do not want to make scrambled eggs. Pour in a second ladle of milk.
Pour in remaining milk, and beat to combine.
Place mixture on top of the pot of boiling water. Reduce heat to simmer, and stir over simmering water until mixture lightly coats the back of a spoon, about 3 - 4 minutes.
Remove mixture from heat and pour into one large shallow oven-proof dish, or four small ones.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature.
Place in the refrigerator for 1 hour, or overnight.
Just before you are ready to serve, mix 2 Tablespoons of brown sugar with remaining 2 Tablespoons of granulated sugar in a small bowl.
Sprinkle sugar mixture over chilled custard.
Using a kitchen torch, melt the sugar on top of the creme brulee.
Allow sugar to cool, and place in refrigerator for a few minutes until custard is set again.
This picture was taken about 5 minutes after I melted the sugar, so it looks a bit soft. If you place it back in the refrigerator and allow it to cool back down, it is just as thick and luscious as the real ones!
Our astrological Cancer friends are ruled by the moon, and I thought I would take this opportunity to try out a dairy-free creme brulee...since it reminds me of the moon. Well okay, maybe it was just an excuse to try out a new recipe! I don't think anyone would complain about being forced to eat this for dessert.
Recipe Notes
For the vanilla bean:
Simply slice thru the top of the vanilla bean, then use the side of the knife to scrape out the inside. I used everything that I scraped out of one vanilla bean to make this recipe.
This is the kitchen torch that I used to melt the sugar.
It's not really for the kitchen, but it works perfectly.
Apparently I do not own a double-boiler, crazy right? I thought I owned everything you could possibly use in a kitchen. Then I remembered seeing chef's on TV use a stainless steel bowl, so I gave it a try. It worked perfectly, and I don't have to store any additional pans!
Please remember that I am not a trained chef. I just get an idea in my head and go for it. Sometimes it works, and other times it does not. If I can make this recipe then trust me, you can too!
More recipes in this Cancer meal:
- Shaved Fennel Salad with pineapple
- Italian Seafood Pasta
- Italian Fritatta
Enjoy!!
Creme Brulee
Equipment
- Kitchen Torch
Ingredients
- 6 large egg yolks
- 6 Tablespoons granulated sugar divided
- 1 whole vanilla bean scraped
- 2 ½ cups full fat coconut milk shake before using
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- berries for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Fill a large pot with an inch or two of water and bring to a boil.
- In a large stainless steel mixing bowl, beat together egg yolks, 4 Tablespoons sugar, and pulp from vanilla bean until thick and creamy.
- In a small saucepan over LOW heat, stir and heat coconut milk until it almost comes to a boil. Remove from heat.
- Use a ladle to pour a small amount of heated milk into the egg yolk mixture. We do not want to make scrambled eggs. Pour in a second ladle of milk.
- Pour in remaining milk, and beat to combine.
- Place mixture on top of the pot of boiling water. Reduce heat to simmer, and stir over simmering water until mixture lightly coats the back of a spoon, about 3 - 4 minutes.
- Remove mixture from heat and pour into one large shallow oven-proof dish, or four small ones.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature.
- Place in the refrigerator for 1 hour, or overnight.
- Just before you are ready to serve, mix 2 Tablespoons of brown sugar with remaining 2 Tablespoons of granulated sugar in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle sugar mixture over chilled custard.
- Using a kitchen torch, melt the sugar on top of the creme brulee.
- Allow sugar to cool, and place in refrigerator for a few minutes until custard is set again.
Notes
- If you do not have a kitchen torch, you can place under the broiler in your oven for a minute or two to melt the sugar. Watch very closely, or it will burn!
- You can substitute equal amounts heavy cream for the coconut milk if desired.
Nutrition
Krista @ joyfulhealthyeats says
Love this! Definitely going to try this for my husband... we both love creme brulee and try to eat lactose free as much as possible. Pinned it! 🙂
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says
So many things to do with coconut milk. And I think you nailed this one Lisa! I need to learn how to use my blowtorch btw. Creme brulee is one of the best desserts.
Tanya says
Well you had a fabulous idea with this recipe!!! It's gorgeous Lisa!
Cindy Eikenberg says
Lisa, Creme Brulee is my very favorite dessert, hands down and yours looks fantastic!!! Thanks so much for sharing and pinning - have a happy weekend!!! 🙂
Danni@SiloHillFarm says
Yummm!...and yes please!
Paula says
My husband's fav dessert is creme brulee and I only make a chocolate one, I'll try this for him, Thanks for sharing at Sat. Dishes! Pinned.
Sarah says
Looks amazing! I bet the coconut milk gives it a great sweet taste. And the consistence looks perfect. Great work.
Linda says
This sounds delish! I have to try it. Thanks for bringing it over to Saturday Dishes.
Wishes for tasty dishes,
Linda @ Tumbleweed Contessa
Felicia says
This looks absolutely amazing! I love Creme Brulee, it's become one of my favorite desserts, so I'm really excited to have come across this recipe. It'll be great to be able to make it for friends and family who are lactose intolerant. Great share!
One TIPsy Chick says
Ooooh, this looks amazing!
Stopping by from the Sunday Showcase.
Lea @ Lea's Cooking says
Love this idea!!! Definitely trying it 🙂
Kim @ Soliloquy Of Food & Such says
Ha! My husband has a Benzomatic....I keep telling him "I gunna steal it!" (he has hidden it). I need a torch...I have torch-envy, apparently 🙂
Great job with these being dairy free. I have a family member that ALWAYS stumps me when it comes to desserts. I will remeber this one, for sure!!
Susan D says
This looks great!!! Thanks for sharing at my Sunday Funday Linky Party! 🙂
*Susan
Marguerite (My rural French Life) says
Love the look of this recipe and will certainly try it as I have a friend for lunch and she is Dairy free...excellent. Thank you, have a lovely day <3
Lisa says
This looks wonderful! I hope you will come share at this week's From the Farm Blog Hop hosted by 6 great blogs!
Lisa
Fresh Eggs Daily
Rebekah says
I have yet to try any creme brulee-dairy or dairy free. I have been dying to try it! Thanks for sharing. I actually ended up clicking on both of your recipes at Kathe's blog hop and am pining both. They look so good!
Heather Who Needs a Cape? says
Creme Brulee is my favorite - but I have never attempted to make it! YUM
Thanks again for linking up to Super Sunday - See you next week!
Amber says
Holy NOM NOM! That looks divine! Thanks a bunch for the share! Found you via Whimsy Wednesday at the NY Melrose Fam linky!
Cynthia L. says
I have always wanted to make something that I could "torch" I even asked for one for my birthday. I will have to remember this recipe and give it a try! Lovely looking dessert!
Thanks for linking to the In and Out of the Kitchen Link party! So glad you are here!
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
Delish! I will be sharing this on FB tomorrow! Thanks so much for partying with us this week 🙂
Alanna @Toronto Mama says
My lactose intolerant husband is going to adore this! What a brilliant idea to use coconut milk. Pinning this now!
Anyonita says
You've got a blowtorch!!!! I've been trying to get a blowtorch for months but always get distracted by other kitchen gadgets lol. Your creme brulee looks FANTASTIC, by the way! 🙂 Yummy and perfectly bruleed!. Thank you so much for linking up with me this week at Tasty Tuesdays! I’ve pinned this & shared it with my followers! Please be sure to stop back by the party and check out some of the other links!
Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures says
Mmmm... This looks wonderful. I bet the coconut milk is delicious in this recipe! Thank you for sharing at Tuesdays with a Twist! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Diana Rambles says
Oh wow! Looks amazing!
Carrie This Home says
This looks so good! I saw your link on a linky party and I just had to click on it! I've had creme brulee once in my life and it was divine! I'm stopping by from Tatertots & Jello (#26 Easy & Flavorful Italian Chicken #37 Favorite Crock Pot Recipes) Have a great weekend!
Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile says
Oh Yum, Crème Brulee is my all time favorite, no exception dessert!!! I will be giving this a try, thank you. I pinned it and I'm sharing on facebook.
Hugs,
Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile
Rikki says
This looks yummy! New follower through bloglovin. Thanks for sharing!
Cynthia L says
I have never had Creme Brulee, but have always wanted to try it! I have also wanted to own and try out one of those torches!
Thank you for linking this to the In and Out of the Kitchen LInk party. I will be sharing it as Big's favorite in my Top 10 Favorites from the In and Out of the Kitchen Link party.
Thanks for sharing!
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
I love creme brulee and try to stay away from dairy for health reasons (and am a bit intolerant of straight milk too!) so this recipe is perfect. Can't wait to try it.
I've chosen it as one of my favorites from last week's Project Inspired party.
Nancy
Diane Balch says
Coconut milk sounds delicious as a milk substitute in this dish. Can't get over how authentic it looks. Thanks for sharing your creme brulee on foodie friday.
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
Mmm! Just seeing that fresh vanilla bean is making my mouth water! Thanks for sharing at Sweet & Savory Saturdays #20!
~Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later!
Joanne T Ferguson says
G'day Lisa, this looks so yum, true!
Dairy free...bonus too; viewing as part of Food Friends Friday Party too!
Cheers! Joanne
Diane Balch says
My lactose son might even kiss you for this dessert. Pinning.
Lisa Johnson says
I'll take it! He will love this Diane. 🙂
Chaya says
I love creme brulee and yours looks fantastic. I am guessing that this won't work using a light coconut milk????
Lisa Johnson says
No, I don't think that light coconut milk would work. You need the fat and creaminess to make it all come together and thicken. 🙂
Adelina Priddis says
We love creme brulee! I think I'll have to surprise my husband with this version sometime this week.