Go Back
+ servings

Gingerbread Creme Brulee

If you're craving a dessert that feels fancy but is secretly simple to make and tastes like Christmas in custard form, this Gingerbread Crème Brûlée is it. With warm cinnamon, spicy ginger, and a molasses undertone, it's the kind of holiday treat that has just enough flair to make it Christmas party worthy.
4.4 from 60 ratings

Ingredients

For The Custard:

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 5 tablespoons granulated sugar divided
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¾ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of kosher salt

For the Topping:

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F; heat large kettle of water to boiling. Place four 1/2-pint mason jars or 6-ounce ramekins (see Home Chef Tip below) in roasting pan.
  • In small saucepan, heat cream and 3 tablespoons sugar over medium heat 6 to 7 minutes until cream just starts to bubble around edges of pan (do not bring to a full boil).
  • Meanwhile, in large bowl, whisk egg yolks, molasses, vanilla bean paste, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, salt and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar until well combined. While whisking, use ladle to slowly add 3 ladlefuls of hot cream mixture to egg mixture. Gradually whisk in remaining cream mixture. Strain through fine mesh strainer into large liquid measuring cup.
  • Divide custard mixture between jars; place roasting pan in oven. Add enough boiling water to come halfway up sides of the ramekins. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until custards are just set (they should tremble slightly in the middle, but be set on outer edges).
  • Use tongs to carefully transfer ramekins to cooling rack; let stand 30 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 4 hours or up to 2 days before serving.
  • To serve, sprinkle about 1 tablespoon sugar over each custard. Using blowtorch, caramelize top of each custard until sugar bubbles and turns brown (this can also be done under a broiler). Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Home Chef Tip: If your ramekins are wide and shallow, your custard may bake a little faster. If your ramekins are narrow and deep, you will likely need to bake your custard longer.
  • In the photos you see in this post, we're using mason jars that would be considered narrow and deep. This custard took about 39 minutes to bake until it was just set (the middles still trembled slightly, while the custard was set on the outer edges).
  • If you use wide and shallow ramekins, start at 25 minutes and continue baking, checking every 5 minutes until your custard is just set.
Calories: 592kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 48g, Saturated Fat: 29g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 13g, Cholesterol: 329mg, Sodium: 44mg, Potassium: 216mg, Fiber: 0.4g, Sugar: 36g, Vitamin A: 2011IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 119mg, Iron: 1mg
This website provides estimated nutrition information as a courtesy only. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Did you make this recipe?Leave a Review below or share a photo and tag me on Instagram @foxeslovelemons with the hashtag #foxeslovelemons.