Peppermint Creme Brulee
Two things that make me really happy around the holidays are peppermint and an ultra creamy creme brulee recipe. This easy creme brulee with a candy cane top is just the thing to usher in the holiday spirit!
My first memory of eating creme brulee was 18 years ago when I had just started dating Lt. Dan.
He took me to a steak house we both thought was extremely elegant at that time. After an enormous meal, he picked up the dessert menu and said, “I don’t care how full we are, we have to order the creme brulee here.”
I didn’t know what creme brulee was, but the way he talked about it made me weak with curiosity.
When the little dish was placed on the table, Dan looked up at me with a twinkle in his eyes and said, “Now watch this.” He gently tapped the glassy top on the custard and the caramelized sugar cracked open, revealing a delicate vanilla custard underneath.
That was the moment I realized I was in love…
With creme brulee.
And possibly with Dan.
Anyone who could introduce me to such a glorious little treat was bound to be full of surprises.
This easy creme brulee incorporates my favorite creme brulee recipe and my favorite holiday flavor, peppermint. (And was made for my favorite guy.)
Today’s Seasonal Seven Recipe is fabulous for holiday dinner parties because it’s easy to prepare, can be made days in advance, offers subtle elegance, and festive flavors.
I used McCormick Peppermint and Vanilla Extract to add depth to the creme brulee recipe, then crushed peppermint candy canes to sprinkle over the top.
Bruleeing the candy cane powder creates a toasted stained-glass surface that shatters into the creamy goodness below, when tapped.
Yield: 6-10
Prep Time: 20 minutes + 4 1/2 hours chill time
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Peppermint Creme Brulee Recipe
Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups heavy cream
6 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tb. McCormick Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp. McCormick Peppermint Extract
Pinch of salt
5 peppermint candy canes, crushed
butter for dishes
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter 6 - 6 oz. ramekins or 10 - 4 oz. ramekins. Place the ramekins all in a large rimmed baking dish.
Whisk the egg yolks with the sugar, vanilla, peppermint extract and salt. Then pour the cream into a separate microwave-safe bowl and microwave until it simmers.
Whisk the egg mixture FEVERISHLY, and slowly pour the hot cream into the egg. POUR SLOWLY to ensure you don't scramble your eggs. Then evenly distribute the finished mixture among the prepared ramekins.
Carefully pour hot water around the ramekins in the baking dish about half way up the sides, then place in the oven.
Bake for 35-45 minutes--closer to 35 for smaller ramekins and 40-45 minutes for larger ramekins. The edges should be firm and the very center should jiggle just a little.
Remove from the oven and cool until easy to handle. Then cover the tops with plastic wrap and chill for at least 4 hours, but up to a week.
One hour before serving, crush the candy canes in a food processor or blender, and sprinkle the candy cane powder over the top of each custard.
Using a brulee torch, caramelize the top of each custard, then place them back in the fridge for at least twenty minutes to harden. *If you don't have a brulee torch, you can place the whole tray of ramekins under the broiler to brulee the top. Make sure it is fiery hot when you put them in, and DON'T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THEM FOR A SECOND. If the broiler is hot enough, this should take less than a minute.
More Peppermint Treats:
Peppermint Fudge
Peppermint Rice Krispies Snowballs and Snowmen
Candy Cane S’mores ~ Roxana’s Home Baking
Peppermint Crunch Truffles ~ Baker’s Royale












It must be the holidays when peppermint makes a showing – what a great idea!
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Love this idea! Creme brûlée is one of my favorite desserts and I would love to try this peppermint one.
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Wow this sounds so good – and so creative! I love the color it turned!
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Candy canes on top! You are a genius. Love, love, love.
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What a marvelous (and festive) idea! Absolutely love it (I’m a huge fan of creme brulee)!
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Such a fun recipe!! Very clever spin on creme brulee!!
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Sommer, such a unique ~ pretty + FUN idea!
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What a genius idea – love it!!!
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I always order creme brulee at restaurants, but the one time I tried to make it myself, it ended in disaster. But now I’m tempted to give it another try–that pepperminty top is genius!
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Shut. UP!
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What a SUPER idea!!!
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Everything you make is always fabulous, Sommer. Love this – so creative!!
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Oh my! I must have this!! So genius! Thanks for sharing
I’m a creme brulee addict!
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great looking Sommer and super creative
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A perfect dish a perfect story! Very fun Sommer.
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AMAZING!!!!
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Love the peppermint twist on these creme brulees, gorgeous!!
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Ooooh, yummmy!! I saw peppermint in the title and just had to click on over to see what you great thing you’ve whipped up. Love this!
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This is such a fun idea! I definitely need a kitchen torch!
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That’s very creative!
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Sommer, I think I’m in love with YOU. Peppermint creme brulee sounds like a dream come true.. is it made of magic? Methinks so.
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I remember my first brulee experience and I fell in love too! Sommer these look spectacular and totally put me in the Christmas spirit!
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I need a spoon stat.
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I love the story and the recipe…. So festive!
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What a great idea Sommer! I remember the first time I had creme brulee – such a treat to break through the crunchy topping!
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How cute is this, great idea!
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ohh you had me at creme brulee! Love this seasonal flavor, reminds me of peppermint ice cream that comes out this time of year.
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Amazing! This definitely puts me in the spirit of the holidays!
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