Chai Vanilla Crème Brûlée

Aug 20, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Custards puddings creams Origin: Madagascar Vanilla: Beans Medium

Chai Vanilla Crème Brûlée in a ramekin with a caramelized sugar crust

Chai crème brûlée flavored with a whole vanilla bean. An intermediate recipe: 15 minutes of prep and 40 minutes of cooking, plus chilling; serves 6. Best vanilla for this: Madagascar (rich, creamy, classic), or Mexican (spiced, warm, woodsy). Any pure vanilla works.

Prep 15 min

Cook 40 min

Chill 3 hr

Total 3 hr 55 min

Servings 6

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

2.0 cups (480.0 ml)heavy cream
5.0large egg yolks
½ cup (100.0 g)granulated sugar

Topping

6.0 tbsp (75.0 g)granulated sugar, for the crust
1.0vanilla bean, split and scraped
1 ½ tsp (4.0 g)chai spice blend

Make it at home

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C) and bring a kettle of water to a boil for the water bath.
Heat the cream with the vanilla in a saucepan until it steams and bubbles form at the edges, then remove from the heat and let it steep for 10 minutes to deepen the flavor.
Whisk the chai spice blend into the warm cream.
Whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl until smooth and slightly lightened in color.
Pour the warm cream into the yolks in a slow stream, whisking constantly so the eggs don't scramble, then strain the mixture through a fine sieve.
Divide among six ramekins set in a baking dish. Pour hot water into the dish to reach halfway up the ramekins, then bake at 325°F (165°C) for about 35 minutes, until the centers are just set but still jiggle slightly.
Chill for at least 3 hours. Just before serving, sprinkle an even layer of sugar over each custard and caramelize it with a kitchen torch until it melts into a deep amber, glassy crust.

Tips

Chai spice blends vary; taste your blend and adjust the amount so the cinnamon doesn't overpower the vanilla.
Don't toss the scraped pods: tuck them into a jar of sugar for homemade vanilla sugar.
No vanilla bean? Use 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste or 1 teaspoon vanilla powder instead. Add it where the recipe adds the seeds; if the bean is steeped in hot milk or cream, stir the swap in after cooking, off the heat.
Choosing vanilla: Madagascar vanilla (rich, creamy, classic) suits this recipe best; Mexican (spiced, warm, woodsy) is a great alternative, and any pure vanilla works.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make crème brûlée?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 40 minutes of cooking, plus 3 hr chill. The recipe makes 6 servings.

How should I store crème brûlée?

Refrigerate the baked custards, covered, for up to 3 days. Add and torch the sugar topping just before serving so it stays crisp.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This version uses 1 split vanilla bean. You can swap in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon of vanilla bean paste, or 1 teaspoon of vanilla powder instead; they're interchangeable at these amounts. Beans give the most visible specks and the fullest aroma.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 6 servings this recipe makes.

429 Calories / serving

31.9g Fat

32.6g Carbs

4.3g Protein

31.4g Sugar

Whole recipe (6 servings): ~2574 cal · 191g fat · 196g carbs · 26g protein · 188g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 429 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 81 min·4.7 mi·~9500 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 58 min·2.9 mi·~5800 steps
Moderate cycling 44 min·8.8 mi
Swimming laps 60 min
Jogging 42 min·3.5 mi·~6700 steps
Stair climbing 40 min·~3600 steps
Dancing 70 min
Bodyweight circuit training 44 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 100 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.