Make a Restaurant-Quality Matcha Crème Brûlée

Matcha Crème Brûlée

Matcha Crème Brûlée

Nio Teas

Servings

5

Prep Time

30 minutes

Cook Time

2 hours

Calories

310

Cuisine

Japanese

Category

Desserts

Making a matcha creme brulee can add a touch of class to your cooking routine and it is a great way to incorporate the delicious flavor of green tea into your desserts. We're going to learn how to make a matcha creme brulee and also different tips you can try to improve your recipe. Let's get started!

Ingredients

  • 3 teaspoons latte matcha powder

  • 1 vanilla pod

  • 375 mL heavy cream

  • 5 room temperature egg yolks

  • 25 g caster sugar, plus more for the brûlée top

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).

  2. If using a vanilla pod, split it lengthwise with a sharp knife and scrape out the seeds. Keep the seeds for the custard mixture.

  3. In a saucepan, pour the heavy cream and add the scraped vanilla seeds (or vanilla extract if using).

  4. Over medium heat, bring the cream to a gentle simmer. Make sure not to let it boil.

  5. Once the cream is simmering, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool for a couple of minutes.

  6. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and caster sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and pale.

  7. Gradually add the matcha powder into the egg yolk mixture, stirring continuously until the matcha is fully incorporated.

  8. Slowly pour the warm vanilla-infused cream into the matcha egg mixture, stirring constantly. This will temper the eggs and prevent curdling.

  9. Continue to whisk until everything is well combined and the mixture is smooth.

  10. To ensure a silky-smooth custard, strain the matcha custard mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a pouring jug.

  11. Place your ramekins in a deep baking dish or a roasting pan. Make sure they fit comfortably without touching each other.

  12. Carefully pour the strained matcha custard mixture into the ramekins, dividing it equally among them.

  13. Create a water bath by pouring hot water into the baking dish or roasting pan, making sure the water level reaches about halfway up the sides of the ramekins.

  14. Gently transfer the water bath with the ramekins to the preheated oven.

  15. Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes or until the edges are set, but the centers of the custards are still slightly jiggly.

  16. Remove the ramekins from the water bath and let them cool to room temperature. Then, cover each ramekin with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to 24 hours) to chill and set completely.

  17. Just before serving, take the chilled ramekins out of the refrigerator.

  18. Sprinkle a thin, even layer of caster sugar on top of each custard.

  19. Using a kitchen torch, carefully caramelize the sugar until it turns golden brown and forms a crispy crust. Alternatively, you can place the ramekins under a broiler for a few minutes to achieve the same result.

  20. Your matcha crème brûlée is now ready to be served! Serve them immediately and enjoy the delightful contrast of the creamy custard with the caramelized sugar topping.

How to Improve Your Matcha Creme Brulee

This matcha creme brulee recipe is excellent, but over time you may want to personalize and improve it.

Here are a few tips you can try to make your matcha creme brulee even better!

Infuse Matcha in Cream

Instead of simply mixing matcha powder into the matcha creme brulee custard, infuse the matcha flavor into the cream itself.

Warm the cream over low heat and whisk in the matcha powder until it's fully dissolved.

Let it cool and proceed with the recipe.

This ensures a more consistent and smoother matcha flavor throughout the custard.

 

Use Fresh Vanilla Beans

While vanilla extract is convenient, using fresh vanilla beans provides a more intense and aromatic vanilla flavor to the matcha creme brulee.

Scrape the seeds from a vanilla bean and add both the seeds and the pod to the cream while heating it. Remove the pod before mixing with the egg yolks.

Vanilla pairs great with matcha, and if you want to learn more about other foods that pair well with matcha, you should read this article 👉 What does matcha taste like? Taste Chart with Video

Incorporate Matcha Swirls

For a visually appealing twist, create matcha swirls in the custard by adding a small amount of matcha custard mixture into the ramekins first, then layering the plain custard on top.

Swirl the two mixtures gently with a toothpick to create a marbled effect.

Garnish with Fresh Berries

Serve the matcha crème brûlée with a side of fresh berries, such as strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries.

The tartness of the berries complements the creamy custard and adds a burst of color and freshness to the dish.

Use Coconut Milk

Replace some or all of the heavy cream with coconut milk for a unique twist. The coconut flavor complements the matcha and adds a slightly tropical element to the dessert.

Keep in mind that coconut milk may result in a slightly lighter and less rich texture in your matcha creme brulee.

Experiment with Different Sweeteners

Consider using alternative sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar instead of caster sugar. Each sweetener brings its own distinct flavor profile to the custard and can add a subtle twist to the traditional recipe.

It can be difficult to sweeten green tea without messing up the flavor, that's why we created an entire article about it 👉 How to Sweeten Green Tea

 

Flavor Pairings for Your Matcha Creme Brulee

Although it may not seem possible to make this matcha creme brulee even better, there are a few things you can eat alongside of it in order to improve the flavor. Here are a few great flavor pairings for your matcha creme brulee!

White Chocolate

The creaminess and sweetness of white chocolate complement the earthy and slightly bitter notes of matcha creme brulee, resulting in a lusciously indulgent dessert with a perfect balance of flavors.

If you want to pair it with a green tea infused chocolate, we recommend this recipe 👉 The Ultimate Genmaicha Chocolate Recipe

Ginger

The warm and slightly spicy flavor of ginger adds a zesty kick to the delicate matcha creme brulee custard, creating a unique and refreshing twist that tantalizes the taste buds.

Black Sesame

The nutty and toasty flavor of black sesame seeds pairs exceptionally well with matcha, offering a delightful contrast in both taste and color, making it a visually appealing and flavorful treat.

Coconut

Coconut's tropical and subtly sweet taste pairs beautifully with a matcha creme brulee, providing a hint of exotic flair to the custard, transporting you to a blissful island-inspired dessert experience.

Orange

The bright and citrusy flavor of orange complements the grassy and vegetal taste of matcha, creating a refreshing and vibrant combination that awakens the senses.

Lavender

The floral aroma of lavender enhances the earthy tones of the matcha creme brulee, creating a sophisticated and aromatic dessert experience that's sure to leave a lasting impression on your palate.

If you're a fan of lavender and matcha pairings, we have the perfect recipe for you 👉 Serenity in a Cup: Lavender Matcha Latte Recipe

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