Creme brulee is a classic French dessert made with a rich custard base and a hard caramelized sugar topping. It’s a delicious treat that many people enjoy. However, for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, determining if creme brulee is safe to eat can be tricky.
What is creme brulee?
Creme brulee consists of a custard base made with heavy cream, egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla. This custard is baked in ramekins until set, then topped with a layer of sugar that is caramelized with a kitchen torch or under the broiler. The end result is a dessert with a smooth, creamy interior and a crisp, brittle top.
There are many different recipes for creme brulee, but the standard ingredients are:
- Heavy cream – provides richness and body
- Egg yolks – thicken the custard when cooked
- Sugar – sweetens the custard
- Vanilla – provides flavoring
- White sugar – for the caramelized topping
So at first glance, creme brulee appears to be naturally gluten-free. However, there are some important considerations when determining if a particular recipe is safe for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
Potential sources of gluten in creme brulee
Although creme brulee recipes don’t traditionally contain gluten ingredients, there are some potential sources of gluten cross-contamination:
Thickening agents
Some creme brulee recipes call for flour or cornstarch to help thicken the custard. Flour contains gluten, so should always be avoided. Cornstarch is naturally gluten-free, but may be processed in facilities that also handle wheat. Be sure to use a certified gluten-free cornstarch.
Extracts and flavorings
Vanilla extract is a common ingredient in creme brulee. Pure vanilla extract is gluten-free, but some cheaper extracts contain additives that could introduce gluten. Use pure extracts from trusted brands. Other flavorings like cocoa powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg should also be verified as gluten-free.
Bakeware
Creme brulee is often baked and served in ramekins. Be sure to use bakeware that is thoroughly cleaned and hasn’t had contact with gluten-containing foods previously. Using dedicated gluten-free ramekins is ideal.
Cross-contamination
Even if the creme brulee recipe itself is gluten-free, cross-contamination can easily occur in a kitchen that also handles gluten products. Flour dust in the air, shared utensils, and double-dipping into ingredients are all ways gluten could inadvertently get into your creme brulee. Be very careful when preparing creme brulee in a shared kitchen.
How to make gluten-free creme brulee
When making creme brulee at home, follow these tips for keeping it gluten-free:
- Use gluten-free heavy cream. The two most common brands of heavy cream in the US, Organic Valley and Land O’Lakes, are labeled gluten-free.
- Choose pasteurized eggs or egg substitutes to reduce the risk of salmonella.
- Use pure cane sugar or coconut sugar to sweeten.
- Flavor with pure vanilla extract from a trusted brand.
- Skip flour or cornstarch thickeners – the egg yolks will set the custard.
- Bake in dedicated gluten-free ramekins.
- Avoid cross-contamination by thoroughly cleaning surfaces, utensils, and hands.
This simple creme brulee recipe is gluten-free:
Gluten-Free Creme Brulee
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 5 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp granulated white sugar for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- In a saucepan, heat the cream until just simmering. Remove from heat.
- In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar until pale yellow.
- Slowly whisk the hot cream into the egg yolk mixture to temper.
- Stir in the vanilla.
- Pour evenly into 4-6 ramekins.
- Place ramekins in a baking dish and fill with enough hot water to come halfway up the sides.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes until set but still jiggly in the center.
- Remove from oven and water bath and allow to cool completely.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- When ready to serve, sprinkle 1 tsp sugar evenly over each creme brulee.
- Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar until browned and crisp.
Be sure to use high-quality ingredients from gluten-free brands when making your own creme brulee at home. This ensures no cross-contamination from questionable thickeners, extracts, or bakeware.
Buying gluten-free creme brulee
If you don’t want to make creme brulee from scratch, there are some options for buying it pre-made:
Grocery store
Several brands offer frozen creme brulee in grocery stores. Read labels carefully to verify the product is labeled gluten-free. Some reputable gluten-free brands include:
- Aleia’s Gluten Free
- Blake’s
- Katz Gluten Free
- Lucy’s
Specialty online retailers
There are several online companies that specialize in gluten-free desserts that ship frozen creme brulee nationwide:
- Jennies Gluten Free Market
- Glutenus Minimus
- Glutino
Restaurants
Some restaurants offer gluten-free creme brulee, but it’s important to inquire about their preparation methods. Ensure the location has proper protocols in place to avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen. Explain your dietary needs to staff to determine if their creme brulee is safe for celiac or gluten intolerance.
Are there dairy-free creme brulee options?
Traditional creme brulee relies heavily on dairy ingredients – most importantly, heavy cream. However, there are some ways to make dairy-free creme brulee for those with milk allergies or who follow a vegan diet:
Coconut milk
Full-fat coconut milk is the most popular substitute for heavy cream in dairy-free creme brulee recipes. It provides a similar creamy richness. Light coconut milk won’t properly thicken.
Nut milks
Almond milk, cashew milk, and other nut-based milks can be used in place of cream in creme brulee. Be sure to choose unsweetened varieties. The protein content helps the custard set.
Tofu
Blended silken tofu is an eggs substitute that can provide structure in dairy-free creme brulee. Extra agar agar may be needed as a thickener. The flavor is more neutral than nut milks.
Vegan egg replacers
Powders like Ener-G Egg Replacer or chia seeds can stand in for eggs in vegan creme brulee. They help bond the ingredients together just like eggs.
Non-dairy milks
Milks like soy, rice, and oat milk generally don’t have high enough fat contents to properly thicken dairy-free creme brulee. But they may work when combined with other alternatives like coconut milk and vegan egg replacers.
Those with multiple food intolerances like gluten and dairy both should vet any pre-made creme brulee products very thoroughly to ensure all dietary needs are met. Making dairy-free and gluten-free creme brulee at home is the best way to control ingredients.
Creme brulee flavor variations
The classic vanilla creme brulee is always a crowd-pleaser. But this dessert also lends itself well to creative flavor twists:
Chocolate
Melted chocolate stirred into the baked custard adds a decadent, bittersweet twist.
Fruit
Fresh berries like raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries make tasty additions when layered on top of chilled creme brulee.
Citrus
Bright citrus flavors from lemon, lime, or orange zest cut through the richness.
Spice
Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom complement creamy creme brulee.
Boozy
Liqueurs like amaretto, Kahlua, Grand Marnier, or Irish cream lend grown-up sophisticated flavors.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to infusing creme brulee with new flavors. Just maintain diligence about avoiding gluten and dairy contaminants depending on specific dietary needs.
Creme brulee vs. flan
Creme brulee is often compared to flan, as both are creamy egg custard desserts. But there are some key differences between the French and Spanish/Latin treats:
| Creme Brulee | Flan |
|---|---|
| Made with heavy cream | Made with milk |
| Sweetened with granulated white sugar | Sweetened with sweetened condensed milk |
| Unmolding not necessary | Unmolded and inverted before serving |
| Baked in a water bath | Baked directly in ramekins |
| Topped with hard caramelized sugar | Often lacks caramel topping |
So while creme brulee and flan share similarities, the specific methods and ingredients differ. Creme brulee has a signature crunchy caramel top while flan is soft set all the way through.
Is creme brulee gluten-free? The verdict
Creme brulee can easily be made gluten-free by using simple, naturally gluten-free ingredients like heavy cream, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. However, care must be taken to avoid potential sources of gluten contamination like flour thickeners, questionable extracts, shared bakeware, and cross-contact.
When dining out, be sure to inquire about preparation methods to ensure safety. And always read labels carefully on pre-made creme brulee products.
With proper precautions to avoid gluten exposure, creme brulee can be enjoyed by those adhering to a gluten-free diet. This elegant dessert is a special treat that people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance don’t have to miss out on.
