Are you someone who enjoys desserts with a not-so-overpowering flavor? This is why Creme Brulee is your ultimate love! It has a subtle sweet taste, which melts in your mouth! But things might be a bit tricky for people who are gluten-intolerant. A lot of questions arise during dining out or buying any food item. Thus, the question arises in the case of crème brûlée as well. Is Creme Brulee gluten free?
The good news is YES! This delicate desert is made of ingredients that do not contain any gluten in them. But it is always safer to check the ingredient list before buying any. Not all recipes of Creme Brulee are gluten free.
So, can gluten-intolerant people consume it? Or, how healthy is this dessert after all? These questions have been answered in this article. We have also mentioned a list of some gluten free crème brûlée brands to make things easier for you. So, let’s dig into this article!
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Is Creme Brulee Gluten Free?
Now, let’s come straight to the point! Is crème brûlée gluten-free? Gluten is a type of protein that you find in wheat, barley, rye, etc. So, when a dish contains these ingredients, they contain gluten. People with celiac disease cannot consume gluten elements since it will harm their intestines and may cause serious health troubles.
The ingredients that are used to prepare Creme Brulee do not contain wheat, barley, rye, or flour of any sort. Hence, traditional crème brûlée contains no gluten. However, there is always a ‘but’! Some recipes of Creme Brulee might as well contain gluten. IF you eat it at any restaurant or buy it, it may have gone through cross-contamination.
So, it is always better to be safe since cross-contamination during the preparation is also an issue. You should check for a gluten free label while buying a readymade one. You can also directly consult with the restaurant about it if you want to dine out!
Later in this article, we will also provide you with a simple gluten free crème brûlée recipe.
Also Read:- Is Crisco Shortening Gluten Free?
History of Crème Brûlée
“Crème brûlée” literally means “burnt cream.” It is a rich and delicate dessert. You might know it by the names Trinity cream or burnt cream. One of the earliest Creme Brulee references is found in a cookery book called “Cuisinier royal et bourgeois.” A French chef, François Massialot, wrote this book back in 1693.
Although the term “crème brûlée” has a French origin, the dish’s origin has been questioned repeatedly. Not only France, but many other European countries have always wanted to take the credit for coming up with this sweet dish.
You probably know about “crema catalana.” It had been included in the Catalan cookery books somewhere in the 14th century. A Creme Brulee has a lot of similarities to a crema catalana. Both of them have a sugary crust on the top. England was also in this race to claim this dessert as their own. In England, they know it by the name “Trinity cream.”
Crème brûlée became popular in the 1980s in the United States of America. It was when different countries wanted to claim the dessert. Julia Child, an American chef, played an essential role in bringing this dish to the United States.
What is Creme Brulee Made of?
Crème brûlée might sound complex, but it is an easy-to-make dish. It requires readily available ingredients. You will need cream, eggs and egg yolk, sugar, water, and vanilla for a traditional crème brûlée. Due to sugar and vanilla, you will predominantly get the flavor of caramel and vanilla. A brittle sugary crust is present on the top, which breaks when you tap it gently.
Now you know all about the history of this dish. It does not contain gluten. So, it is safe for people with celiac. But can you have it if you are vegan or lactose-intolerant? Let’s find out!
Is Creme Brulee Vegan and Dairy-Free?
Traditional crème brûlée contains cream and eggs. Some recipes also have milk in them to make the custard softer. Thus, the conventional recipe of Creme Brulee is neither vegan nor dairy-free. It makes this dish unfit for consumption for lactose intolerants and vegan people.
So, does that mean that you cannot taste this dish if you are a vegan or lactose intolerant? No! You can always make a vegan version of this dish at home! You can switch to plant milk (instead of regular milk) and coconut cream. You can also add cornstarch to thicken the consistency. Instead of refined sugar, you can use other sweeteners.
Hence, you can now have crème brûlée even if you are intolerant to lactose or are vegan.
Is Creme Brulee Healthy?
You already know by now that Creme Brulee is delicious and gluten free. BUT, is it healthy for you?
Let’s take a look at the nutritional values of crème brûlée. We have mentioned the nutrients for 260g (1 cup) of the custard. It has 286 calories.
- Fats: 6.9 g
- Cholesterol: 107 mg
- Sodium: 195 mg
- Carbohydrates: 46 g (only sugar)
- Proteins: 11 g
- Vitamin D: 3.1 mcg
- Calcium: 302 mg
- Potassium: 393 mg
- Phosphorus: 283 mg
- Iron: 0.4 mg.
This information has been verified by the USDA Food and nutrient database.
It is absolutely fine to consume this dish in moderate quantities. One serving would not hurt. Although, you might want to skip this dish if you are on a strict diet. But having it once in a while should be fine.
Can Celiacs Eat Creme Brulee?
Absolutely YES!
Celiacs can consume crème brûlée. Conventional Creme Brulee is 100% gluten free. But You can always make it at home or confirm with the restaurant. You should also check for gluten free labels before buying readymade crème brûlée mix!
How to Make Creme Brulee at Home?
You might think that crème brûlée is a complicated dish to make! We are going to break this myth by providing you with this simple recipe.
Ingredients:
To make this delicious French dessert, you will need- cream (or coconut cream), sugar (or other sweeteners), vanilla extract, and egg yolks. The ingredients are fundamental, but you need a few pieces of equipment to continue. A blowtorch, ramekins, and bain-marie are all that you need!
Step 1: Making A Smooth Mixture of The Key Ingredients
First, you need to preheat the oven to 300-350 degrees. Take a large bowl and pour the egg yolk, sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk them well until you get a smooth mixture. Then add the cream to this mixture while whisking it constantly.
Now, you have to pour the mixture into the ramekins evenly. You can add different flavors to them. Place the ramekins on a towel that covers the baking sheet.
Step 2: Baking
Bake for about 40-45 mins. The edges will be set at this stage, while the middle will be a bit jiggly and soft. Take the ramekins out of the oven and let them cool down.
Step 3: Refrigeration and Making The Crust
Refrigerate them overnight. Your Creme Brulee is almost ready! Take them out and put sugar on them. Use a blow torch to caramelize the sugar and form a crunchy crust!
The delicious French dessert is ready to be eaten! Serve and enjoy it!
Gluten Free Creme Brulee Brands:
Sometimes, you might want to skip the cooking-at-home part, and instead opt for getting a readymade product. The market is always filled with options. But, when you try to put filters, such as ‘gluten free,’ you can hardly trust any. The point is, finding gluten free creme brulee is a job better said than done.
Hence, we are providing you a list of gluten free crème brûlée options here. Most of these should be readily available in the market.
Here are our top 4 choices!
- Reina Gluten free crème brûlée
- Schär Gluten free crème brûlée
- Toscano crème brûlée Gluten Free
- Macphie crème brûlée
Conclusion:
After all this discussion, it can be said that you can enjoy this delicious dessert even if you are gluten-intolerant. But, at the same time, you should be careful while eating outside or buying mixes. Some recipes may contain nuts and soy. Thus, check the ingredient list carefully, unless you make it at home!
So, go ahead and treat yourself to this delicious dessert that will melt in your mouth!
Also, to end it with a small trivia question, did you know there is a “National crème brûlée Day” in the US? Yes, you read it right! People celebrate this day on July 27th. They enjoy delicious crème brûlées and take part in cookoffs. So maybe mark the date, and you can get yourself into it too!
