Description
Crab Brûlée is a luxurious and creamy appetizer that combines the delicate sweetness of lump crab meat with a rich custard base, topped with a golden, caramelized Parmesan crust. Perfect for elegant dinner parties or special occasions, this savory twist on a classic dessert is sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb lump crab meat (fresh or high-quality canned, drained)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Gruyère cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Arrange 4 ramekins in a deep baking dish.
Mix the Custard Base
- In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, Old Bay Seasoning, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper.
Add the Crab and Cheese
- Fold in the lump crab meat and Gruyère cheese, mixing gently to avoid breaking up the crab.
Fill and Bake
- Divide the mixture evenly among the ramekins.
- Place the ramekins in the baking dish and pour hot water into the dish, reaching halfway up the ramekins.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the custard is set but slightly jiggly in the center.
Chill and Caramelize
- Cool for 10 minutes, then chill for at least 1 hour.
- Before serving, sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and caramelize with a blowtorch until golden brown.
Serve and Enjoy
- Serve warm or at room temperature, garnished with fresh herbs.
Notes
- Tip: Use superfine Parmesan cheese for the topping to achieve a smooth caramelized crust.
- Storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days without the caramelized topping.
- Reheating: Warm in the oven at 300°F (149°C) before caramelizing.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired, Seafood
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ramekin
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 210mg
Keywords: Crab Brûlée Recipe