Organic Valley Logo
Recipes

Crème Brûlée for One

Organic Valley is passionate about food and protecting the food system. Our in-house chefs, product development team members and employee-foodies love finding twists to enhance traditional fare. We also enjoy trying new ways to use organic products to create delectable meals and snacks that you can feel good about sharing with your family.

FacebookPinterestEmail
Crème Brûlée being served in a white serving bowl, accompanied by Organic Valley milk and Organic Valley Free Range Eggs.
10 min PREP•40 min COOK•50 min TOTAL
1 SERVINGS

This single-serving crème brûlée is a simple, elegant treat for when cravings strike. Warm spice adds a subtle twist to the classic. With a crisp caramelized sugar top and silky, aromatic custard, it’s fuss-free, comforting and indulgent, perfect for savoring solo.

10 min PREP•40 min COOK•50 min TOTAL
1 SERVINGS
Crème Brûlée being served in a white serving bowl, accompanied by Organic Valley milk and Organic Valley Free Range Eggs.
Cooking Mode

Prevent your screen from going dark as you follow along.

Ingredients
2 cups water 
A small bottle of vanilla extract.
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste 
A small bowl of sugar.
1 tablespoon granulated sugar 
ground cardamom in a serving bowl
½ teaspoon ground cardamom 
turbinado sugar in a pile
½ tablespoon turbinado sugar 
Directions
Cooking Mode

Prevent your screen from going dark as you follow along.

Select a step number to highlight that step.

Preheat the oven to 300 F.
In a kettle, saucepan or in the microwave, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Transfer boiling water to a square baking dish.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat milk and vanilla extract or paste to a low simmer.
In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks and granulated sugar until smooth. Slowly add the hot milk mixture to the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly until incorporated. Whisk in cardamom.
Transfer the mixture to a ramekin. Skim off any froth; discard. Place ramekin in the baking dish with the hot water. Bake for 40 minutes or until the mixture is just starting to set. Remove ramekin from the water bath; set aside to cool 15-20 minutes.
Cover; transfer ramekin to the refrigerator to chill at least 2 hours or overnight.
Sprinkle a thin and even layer of turbinado sugar on top of the crème brûlée. Use a culinary torch to caramelize the sugar until lightly browned. Let slightly cool; crack and enjoy. If you don’t have a culinary torch, you can caramelize the sugar topping in the oven on a low broil until just lightly browned (keep careful watch).
© Organic Valley 2026. All rights reserved.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size container should I use?

We used a 4-ounce ramekin.

Can I use granulated sugar for the topping instead of brown sugar?

Yes, you can use granulated sugar for the topping. Closer attention is needed, as it can burn more easily.

Can I make this ahead and store it in the fridge?

Yes. This recipe requires at least 2 hours of chilling once the crème brûlée is cooled at room temperature. You can make it the day before, then caramelize the turbinado sugar on top when you’re ready to serve it.

Can I serve crème brûlée warm?

This recipe is served as a chilled custard with a caramelized topping.

Can I freeze this recipe?

No, this recipe is not suitable for freezing.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, you can make as many crème brûlées as you wish. Simply multiply the recipe by however many you’re making and make them in individual ramekins.

Can I use lower fat milk instead of whole milk?

It’s best to use whole milk or heavy cream as the base versus lower fat milk.

What toppings work for the best added flavor?

Crème brûlée is delicious as is, but you can add fresh berries and whipped cream to the top, if you wish.

Other Recipes by Organic Valley

Ice Cream in a Bag

15 min
Scoop of cottage cheese ice cream in a dish with chocolate chips and spoon.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

4 hr 3 min
A plate of orange spice muffins next to a bowl of cranberries.

Orange Spice Muffins with Cinnamon Whipped Topping

40 min
Ghee Fudge

Ghee Fudge

2 hr 20 min
Eggnog Cookies from Organic Valley

Eggnog Cookies

55 min
White Chocolate Cheesecake Cookies

White Chocolate Cheesecake Cookies

2 hr

Similar Recipes

Ice Cream in a Bag

15 min
Simple holiday dessert eggnog panna cotta

Eggnog Panna Cotta

2 hr 5 min
Scoop of cottage cheese ice cream in a dish with a fresh mint and spoon.

Vanilla Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

4 hr 3 min

Pumpkin Pie Cottage Cheese-Cake Bars

45 min

Tres Leches Cake

1 hr 5 min

Popular Recipes

Sheet Pan Breakfast Egg Sandwich

Sheet Pan Breakfast Egg Sandwich

20 min
Two cups of dark hot chocolate.

Easy Dark Hot Chocolate

10 min
Divine Deviled Eggs

Divine Deviled Eggs

15 min
A cup of homemade whipped cream.

Whipped Cream

10 min
Butter-Roasted Asparagus on a baking sheet with cherry tomatoes and mushrooms.

Butter-Roasted Asparagus

25 min
Frosted Holiday Shortbread Cookies

Frosted Holiday Shortbread Cookies

1 hr 22 min

Do You Know?

Organic Valley farms comprise more than 440,000 acres of land in the United States

Organic Valley farms comprise more than 440,000 acres of land in the United States, and this organic acreage is home to more than 1,600 Organic Valley family farms and a whole lot of biodiversity.

Organic Valley’s mission is to provide a stable, sustainable pay price to farmers so they can continue farming with their families. It all started in 1988, when seven farmers got together to find a way to market their goods and make a sustainable living by producing organically derived food.

Organic Valley Grassmilk being served in a milk glass while children play in the background.

Our 100% grassfed cows are never fed grains, which gives Grassmilk® milk the subtle seasonal flavors of our pastures. This is milk as it was meant to be.