Blueberry Crème Brûlée – This classic French dessert takes a refreshing, summer turn with the addition of plump blueberries. It’s the perfect way to enjoy this rich dessert in the summer!
Before we get into the recipe for today, let me welcome you to the new and improved Certified Pastry Aficionado blog. I am so in love with this new design and all the colors and the new logo. I hope you love it all too! Make sure you take a look at the home page to see some of my favorite new features!!
Okay now for today’s recipe!
If you haven’t noticed yet, I am a berry fiend. I love using berries in sweet recipes, savory recipes, drink recipes, you name it! By this time last year, I had already shared my recipe for blackberry doughnuts, triple berry mimosas, and my English trifle, loaded with four kinds of berries.
But I’m slacking a little so far this year, which inspired me to make today’s treat…Blueberry Crème Brûlée!
Crème brûlée is such a classic dessert that you rarely see it altered in any way. Why change up a good thing?!
I’ll tell you why – fresh blueberries!
I love the addition of fresh blueberries to this rich dessert – it’s just so refreshing and perfect for summer. I even like it slightly chilled when eating it instead of eating it warm like I do with the traditional version.
To make this crème brûlée, it’s really not much different than making a traditional version. The only additional step we have is making the blueberry sauce to layer on the bottom. The sauce and the custard remain separated during baking since their densities are different – one is much thicker than the other. So you still get the familiar flavor of the vanilla custard with a little bite of blueberry deliciousness.
The most intimidating part of making a crème brûlée is caramelizing that sugar on top. I’ve done it both ways – with a blow torch and with my oven broiler. Both work fine, but I definitely prefer using a blow torch because it’s so much faster. But if you’re worried about working with fire, I definitely recommend the oven, instead.
In case this is your first time making crème brûlée, here are a few more tips to help you out:
- This dessert requires hours of chilling time so I recommend making the day before you need it and simply caramelizing the sugar on top before serving. Do not try to eat this dessert right out of the oven before chilling – it will be too runny.
- When baking crème brûlée, it must be baked in a hot water bath to keep it from cracking. To do this, we add the ramekins to a baking dish and fill the dish with hot water about halfway.
- Do not caramelize the sugar until you are ready to serve. If you place the dessert back into the refrigerator, the sugar will liquefy and no longer be crunchy.
How much do you love this blueberry crème brûlée?! The color is incredible but the flavor is even better. You’re gonna love serving this at your parties this summer!
Stay tuned for more berry recipes this summer – I’ve got a few more up my sleeve 😉
Here are all the kitchen tools and serveware that I used in today’s recipe. For each item sold below, I make a small commission. I only recommend items that I own and love so you can trust that each recommendation is tried and true. Thank you for supporting CPA!
Suzanne says
In step #6, you meant to say “refrigerator,” rather than “oven,” right?
Sharon says
Yes you are correct. Thank you for finding that. I’ve updated the recipe to reflect the correction.
Eileen Kelly says
I love your tasty spin on creme brulee, the addition of the blueberries is so refreshing. I also love using the blow torch when I make any creme brulee. This is a perfect dessert for any day.
Tatiana says
I am excited to try it now! Blueberries are in season and i am always in search for new creative ways to use it.
Sharon says
Yes! Blueberry season makes this creme brulee perfect for this time of year!
Michelle Blackwood says
Wow, your creme brulee looks amazing. Blueberries are my favorite fruit so this would be such a treat.
Sharon says
Thanks so much!
Michele says
WOW! This is one gorgeous dessert! Blueberries sure take this creme brulee over the top. Delish!!
Sharon says
Aw thanks so much!
Leslie says
I’m not a fan of creme brulee, but I LOVE blueberries. My boyfriend loves both, so this is totally going on the list of recipes to make him!
Sharon says
Yes he’s sure gonna love this dessert!
Marisa Franca says
We love our blueberries — we can’t wait each year until the stores are filled with them. And I have noticed you like your berries — that’s okay I do too. Your new blog “do” looks great. Modern, unfussy and the colors are great. I bet you’re thrilled.
Sharon says
Yay thanks for the feedback Marisa! The colors are my favorite part 🙂
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago says
This has always been one of my favorite desserts and I love the addition of blueberries to it! I broke my kitchen torch and this reminds me I need to go buy a new one!
Sharon says
Your gonna love this interpretation, for sure!
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen says
I absolutely adore fresh berries!! Love that hidden surprise on the bottom of these beauties! What a fun upgrade to a classic dessert!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
That is such a delightful summer dessert! I already loved crème brulée, but with the addition of a blueberry compote at the bottom, you just took it over the top!
Tanvi Rastogi says
This looks SOO good. Love the pictures too. Le sigh! I don’t eat sugar.
hanna j smith says
Blueberries are my FAVORITE!!! BRB going to make this ASAP!
Gloria says
I am a blueberry FANATIC. Creme brulee is one of my top 3 favourite desserts….EVER!! This is right up my alley..and I can imagine how delicious it would taste. Printing right now.
Ruthie Ridley says
Creme brulee is one of my favorite desserts! Never had it with blueberry!!
Shashi at SavorySpin says
Congrats on your new and improved blog design!
And woa – what a way to celebrate with this decadent blend of blueberries and lemon in creme brulee form! Simply delicious!
Sharon says
Thanks so much!! I am so happy with it!
Jyothi (Jo) says
Creme brulee is one of those desserts I cannot resist. The twist with blueberries definitely makes it look so much more better. Drooling all over your brulee photos
Haley D Williams says
I love the blueberry addition in this Brulee! I have to make it!
christine hadden says
We go blueberry picking every July and I end up with an over-abundance of berries. This will be a great way to use them up! I haven’t made a creme brulee in ages. Thanks for the reminder of one of my old faves!
Sharon says
Yes – this is the perfect way to use them all up!
Marysa says
I’ve never tried making a creme brulee before. This sounds like a great combination of flavors. I would like to give this a try sometime, although I don’t have a blow torch!
Lauren @ Delicious Little Bites says
This looked AMAZING! I need to get one of those torches so I can try this!
Katherine says
Your entire website makes my mouth water, but omg this blueberry creme brulee sounds divine! I’m not the biggest fan of creme brulee, but adding in blueberries is a game-changer for me! Can’t wait to try this (and I hope I can make mine look as good as yours!)
Adriana Lopez Martin says
How lovely is this creme brulee never have had it with blueberries but sounds fantastic combination. Cannot wait to make it and try it at home yummy!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Such a fun twist on a classic! Just the perfect way to use berries! Love the crackly top! Can’t wait to give this one a try 🙂
Denise says
Wow that is so beautiful! I have just recently started loving creme brûlée and this one takes the cake! haha. I love the addition of blueberries….I didn’t realize you could add fruit like that. I can’t wait to give this a go.