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!
Slow-Cooker Creme Brûlée
Make creme brulee in the crockpot. So foolproof!
Ingredients
- 3 large egg yolks
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup sugar, plus 2 teaspoons
- ¼ of a vanilla bean (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
Instructions
- Combine the egg yolks, whipping cream and ¼ cup of the sugar in a bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Using a dull knife, scrape the seeds out of the vanilla bean and add it to the cream mixture. It should be about ⅛ teaspoon of vanilla bean seeds. You can substitute extra, if you prefer.
- Whisk the mixture together very well.
- Meanwhile, take 2 12" long pieces of foil and roll them up into a snake shape. Curl it into a circle, pinching the ends together. Place in the bottom of your slow cooker. Repeat with the other piece of foil.
- Place each ramekin on top of each foil ring.
- Pour boiling water in the slow cooker (carefully! Don't splash water on the custards) until the water reaches up about ⅓ of the way on the ramekins.
- Turn the slow cooker to LOW and cook for 2 to 2 ½ hours. When done, the custard should be set--poke it with a knife to be sure.
- Cover and chill the custards at least 6 hours.
- Before serving, sprinkle the remaining 2 teaspoons sugar evenly over both custards and torch with a culinary torch until brown.
Notes
If you can fit more ramekins in your slow cooker, you can absolutely scale this recipe up!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 434Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 438mgSodium: 127mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 0gSugar: 27gProtein: 12g
Dianne Appel says
I have an older Crock pot with a narrow bottom. Can I stack the ramakens? Also can I use a long wand butane BBQ lighter to crust finish or do I need to spend money on a gas block finished?
Christina Lane says
Oh gosh, I wouldn't stack them. They need to be sitting in water. Your crockpot won't fit 2 ramekins side-by-side, or are you scaling the recipe up?
Don't use a butane torch; it's toxic. Use the oven broiler setting instead.
Geri Zona says
I can't wait to try this. However I do not have a torch. Is there another way to get the "crust" on top?
Christina Lane says
Yes, Geri! Use the broiler setting in your oven instead. Move one of the oven racks to just a few inches below the flame, turn on the broiler, and place the ramekins underneath. Watch them closely! Enjoy :)
Lola the Frenchie says
Just came across your website and I'm in love with it. The fact that you also were able to write "brûlée" correctly makes me love it even more! You just forgot the accent on "crème" but it's alright cause you did the hardest part of the job lol. Thanks for inspiring girl!
Sabrina B. says
this was just featured in a recent foodiecrush post on slow cooker recipes, where I would never have expected to find a desert! So thank you for devising this recipe as a slow cooker recipe, great idea!
Danny says
This looks amazing!!!!!! (Yep, I'm one of those people that put a zillion exclamation points after everything) Question: will the texture of the slow cooker crème brûlée differ from the texture of regular crème brûlée?
Christina Lane says
Nope, it's the same, Danny! Enjoy!!!!! :)
Tammy Spencer says
Christina, I just discovered this recipe and hope to try it soon...brilliant idea! Also, I LOVE the humor in your posts (wiggle in the middle morning thought). I'm so glad I subscribed to your blog!
Tammy Spencer says
Christina, I just discovered this recipe when reading about your S'mores Milkshake post...brilliant idea! Also, I LOVE the humor in your posts (wiggle in the middle morning thought). I'm so glad I subscribed to your blog!
Elizabeth says
My favorite????????,, I will definitely try this. Can I use a wire rack to set the dish instead of the foil paper?
I have a small one that fits perfectly in the cooker
Christina Lane says
Yes, of course, Elizabeth. Enjoy :)
gwmax44907 says
You could use the leftover egg whites to make a egg white omelet or Mini Baked Alaska
Mini Baked Alaska here:
https://www.dessertfortwo.com/mini-baked-alaskas/
Danielle says
Can I put these on the metal rack in my crockpot instead of making the foil boats?
Christina Lane says
Yes, Danielle. Enjoy :)