Creamsicle Crème Brûlée

A classic French dessert with a nostalgic flavor twist.

Crème brûlée is a French classic and a very beloved recipe for a reason. Translating to burnt cream, it’s a lovely, perfectly sweet custard that is baked and then topped with caramelized sugar, creating a crisp, glass-like finish. The crackly top is a perfect contrast to the smooth, velvety custard underneath.

My Creamsicle Crème Brûlée uses orange zest and vanilla for a big punch of flavor—staying true to the classic's creamy, wonderful texture while adding a little citrusy brightness. The vanilla-orange pairing is a nostalgic flavor for so many of us, and I love the combination.

While we’re only using the zest in the custard recipe, the orange itself gets used as a garnish here for serving. I used blood oranges, which are so beautiful and have a slightly more aromatic flavor than your regular navel oranges. But either will do, so don’t be intimidated if you can’t find them at your market.

A big plus to this dessert is that it can be made a couple of days in advance. This is a really fun thing you can do when you’re making dessert for guests—no stress, just a little bit of a show :).