Crème brûlée literally means "burnt cream" in French. To the home cook it's a super rich creamy baked custard recipe that is topped with a crunchy layer of caramelized sugar. Prepared and served in ceramic ramekins, crème brûlée recipes call for sugar, eggs, and heavy cream and can be flavored with vanilla, chocolate, herbs like lemongrass, fruits like coconut, and even espresso. It is often garnished with fresh berries or other fruit. An innovative way to serve crème brûlée is in individual porcelain Chinese spoons, allowing each diner several spoons for dessert.
