Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Vanilla Crème Brûlée

Sep 24, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Custards puddings creams Origin: Ugandan Vanilla: Beans Medium

Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Vanilla Crème Brûlée in a ramekin with a caramelized sugar crust

Dairy-free dark chocolate 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: Ugandan (bold, chocolatey, smoky), 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 Dairy free

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

2.0 cups (480.0 ml)coconut 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
¾ cup (130.0 g)chopped dark chocolate

Make it at home

As an Amazon Associate, VanillaGoods earns from qualifying purchases. We only suggest tools that fit this recipe.

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 chopped chocolate into the warm cream until melted and smooth.
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

Use chocolate between 60% and 70% cacao so its bitterness balances the vanilla's sweetness.
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: Ugandan vanilla (bold, chocolatey, smoky) 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.

534 Calories / serving

37.8g Fat

47.8g Carbs

6.0g Protein

40.9g Sugar

Whole recipe (6 servings): ~3204 cal · 227g fat · 287g carbs · 36g protein · 245g sugar

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

Per serving · 534 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 101 min·5.9 mi·~11800 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 72 min·3.6 mi·~7200 steps
Moderate cycling 54 min·10.8 mi
Swimming laps 75 min
Jogging 52 min·4.3 mi·~8300 steps
Stair climbing 49 min·~4400 steps
Dancing 87 min
Bodyweight circuit training 54 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 124 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.