Colossal Crème Brûlée Recipe | Bon Appétit

This oversized crème brûlée is the centerpiece your dinner table is begging for. Whip one up for the holidays, a special anniversary, or Valentine’s Day. It’s served in one big ole dish—no need to fuss over individual ramekins that only see the light of day once a year. It’s perfect for sharing: just grab a spoon and scoop. The custard itself is speckled with vanilla bean paste—we recommend Heilala for its sweet fragrance. The brûlée gets its signature crackly amber sheen from a blow torch. We promise, it’s worth it.

A blow torch will guarantee your crème brûlée has an even layer of caramelized, ready-to-shatter sugar on top, and it won’t curdle your delicate custard like a broiler might. Our favorite is the Jo Chef Butane Kitchen Torch, with a built-in safety-lock, fuel gauge, and adjustable flame size. Don’t stop at this dessert, you can put this tool to use in other recipes, like baked Alaska or French onion soup.