Slow cooker creme brulee for two, made in the crockpot and so easy!
Can I interest you in cool, creamy (and crunchy!) creme brûlée that doesn't require the oven? Of course I can. Do you own a crock pot?
I've been looking for ways to use the slow cooker on Dessert for Two for years. Even though I have the smallest model of crock pot that makes meals for two, most of you do not. So I just felt silly developing recipes for you in it. But using a crockpot to make mini desserts for two? OH YEAH. Game on!
I basically took my standard creme brûlée for two recipe, subbed in a vanilla bean for charm, and baked them in a water bath in my slow cooker.
This is the small 4-quart slow cooker that I use and love in my small household.
Slow cooker Creme Brulee steps:
Slow cooker creme brûlée only takes 5 minutes of prep, and 2 hours to cook this way! Consider my mind blown.
The only persnickety thing with this recipe is the foil ring. You can't set the ramekin directly on the surface. So, take a sheet of foil, about 12" long or so, roll it up into a worm, and then curl it into a ring. Set each ramekin on one and you're good to go.
I love this recipe for slow cooker creme brulee, because it basically takes care of itself. It's a big reward for such little effort. Plus, when creme brûlée comes out of the oven, sometimes you have to play the guessing game--is the wiggle in the middle the right amount of wiggle? (That sounds like a question I ask myself every morning when I'm getting dressed).
The slow cooker cooks the creme brûlée more evenly than the oven--the entire custard will be set when its done. I love that.
Since this recipe uses 3 egg yolks, be sure to check out my recipes to use leftover egg whites section!
Make creme brulee in the crockpot. So foolproof! If you can fit more ramekins in your slow cooker, you can absolutely scale this recipe up! As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.Slow-Cooker Creme Brûlée
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Recommended Products
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 434Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 438mgSodium: 127mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 0gSugar: 27gProtein: 12g
Hilary says
How do you get the top crust? Do you sugar and torch the top when it's finished?
Christina Lane says
Yes! Recipe updated. Sorry, Hilary! I got too excited and stopped writing the recipe when the custard came out of the slow cooker :)
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
SO CLEVER!! I love this idea
Rebecca says
You could use a Mason jar lid to elevate your ramekin for more stability.
Christina Lane says
THAT'S GENIUS, REBECCA! Thank you :)
barbara says
Hi, Sally: I have to once again thank you for sharing such a wonderful and creative way to have creme brulee the easy way - and for two. You are right about the size of the cooker - I didnt realize mine was as small as it was and had to buy a bit of a scaffold of kitchen implements to make it work. I also made your simple caramel sauce - so much better and easier than any I have ever tried - couldnt put m;y ramekins in the broiler and left my propane torch on a move so I used the caramel on the creme brulee. So good !!
Still making your apple pie with the lattice (I finally understood how to plait) and now I have the best caramel sauce for it. Thanks so much! All good things with your books.
Jennifer @ Crockpot Gourmet says
Christina this is brilliant!! There are not many things I haven't at least considered making in the slow cooker but I never even thought to use it for Creme Brûlée!! I can tell you I'm going to try this out soon, for sure!!
Megan says
GURL. I only ever get creme brulee at restaurants because who got time for that? This is a game changer and now I blame you for my weight gain.
Kunama says
Why can't you just put the ramekin directly onto the bottom of the slow cooker pot?
Christina Lane says
Because it might burn/ over-cook.
Janine Phillpot says
Making a ketofied version right now! I have them in my crockpot, but instead of the foil ring used the metal top ring part from a mason jar...thinking it will work the same! Brilliant idea to use a crockpot!!!
Andi says
This might be a stupid question but instead of using the foil to buffer between to ramiken's and the crockpot would a crock pot liner work or is that not enough space between? Ever since I learned to use them for my cheesecakes I'm obsessed!
Christina Lane says
Ooh, Andi. I haven't tried that. I love that the foil is a thick barrier. I would hate for your crock pot liner to be too thin and burn the cream on the bottom. I'm sorry :(
Nancy says
I don't have a torch but just the custard would be awesome.
PLEASE develop recipes for slow cookers. I picked up this one and it is perfect for small meals.
http://www.amazon.com/Nesco-SC-150V-Cooker-1-5-Quart-Violet/dp/B00LB0W1WS?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00
Patty says
I don't have a torch either, I'm wondering if an Aim N Flame would work instead. They sell for only a couple of dollars at most grocery stores and dollar stores.
Christina Lane says
Hi Patty,
I'm not entirely sure, but I think it's toxic. Instead of using that, check to see if your oven has a broiler setting. The broiler works great! You'll have to move around the ramekins so they brown evenly, but they'll be just fine :)
Riyanka says
Thank you so much for this recipe - It's a keeper. I tried it out today. I doubled the recipe and distributed the mixture among 6 ramekins. My family loved it!
Kim says
Did you adjust cooking time? Can't wait to try this!