Recipes > Crème Anglaise

Crème Anglaise

Details

Crème Anglaise or English cream is a rich and smooth custard that goes well with many desserts from fresh fruit to chocolate cake.
  • Serves: 6 to 12
  • Active Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Views: 68,225
  • Success Rating: 89% (?)
    0% - I fed it to the dog
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Steps

Step 1: Making Crème Anglaise

Making Crème Anglaise
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract (1/4 inch vanilla bean)
  • 1 tsp icing sugar

Method

To start the crème Anglaise, place the egg yolks into a large bowl and then set aside. Next, pour the cream into a saucepan and heat to just before the boiling point.

Next, temper the cream into the yolks while constantly whisking. Then add the vanilla and icing sugar and whisk everything together. Now prepare an ice bath.

Next, pour the cream mixture into a clean pot. Stir constantly, over medium-low heat until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. Do not let it come to a boil or the sauce will curdle. Place the sauce into the ice bath and stir for a few minutes to stop the cooking process. Crème Anglaise can be served with many things from fresh fruit to chocolate cake.

Note: This is a quick way to make Crème Anglaise; another way to make it is to first mix granulated sugar into the yolks and then continue on with the same cooking process. You could also use regular milk instead of cream; however, the sauce won’t be quite as rich and creamy if you do.

Chef's Notes

This is a very versatile dessert sauce that goes nicely with pies, tarts, cakes, and fresh fruit.

Crème Anglaise will keep for a few days in the refrigerator.

16 Comments

  • Francesco S
    Francesco S
    We at home always have this dessert by itself and works great. We love it.
  • Cancelled
    Cancelled
    I made this super simple Crème Anglaise to accompany the Chocolate Torte with Crème Anglaise recipe (Rouxbe). It was not as sweet as I like, but was a great topping for the chocolate torte with a few raspberries.
  • Cancelled
    Cancelled
    I put the leftover crème in the fridge for one night in a glass bowl with cling wrap over it and it was chilled, but did not set. A quick stir with a serving spoon brought the crème back to life with virtually no difference from the night before. This recipe size did not last as long as the chocolate torte, so I'll have to double the recipe next time. I liked the chocolate torte with more topping than the recipe pictured.
  • Greg B
    Greg B
    It was the perfect compliment to the Chocolate torte.
  • Amanda C
    Amanda C
    Could you add white chocolate to the recipe, or would you need to alter it? Thanks!
  • Ken R Rouxbe Staff
    Ken R
    You can add a small amount of shaved white chocolate (no more an an ounce/30g or so) at the end of the cooking process prior to chilling. It will likely change the texture of the sauce, especially if served very cold--but if it tempers a bit before service, it can be stirred and brought back. The white chocolate will add sweetness and richness, but probably not impact the overall flavor profile. I'm curious now! Happy Cooking, Enjoy!
  • Srirat P
    Srirat P
    If I use this recipe with granulated sugar , what is the amount ? Thank you;)
  • Dawn T
    Dawn T
    Typically one would use less granulated sugar then icing sugar; however, since it is such a small amount of sugar, you should be okay doing a straight substitution. With that said, I suggest that you taste the crème Anglaise once you put it back into the pot and test it to see if it is sweet enough for you. Hope that helps. Cheers!
  • Jerry B
    Jerry B
    Toss the granulated sugar in a dry blender, small batches - and bam you have your dusty icing sugar. Or close to it. Better blenders do better jobs. :)
  • Ken R Rouxbe Staff
    Ken R
    Great tip Jerry- Thanks for sharing.
  • Kervin N
    Kervin N
    can the creme anglaise be served immediately or does it need to be refrigerated before serving with cake? If so how long must it be refrigerated?
  • Dawn T
    Dawn T
    Creme Anglaise can be served warm or cold, it just depends on what you are serving it with and how you like it. As for how long to chill it, it just needs to be refrigerated until it has cooled completely, which will vary depending on the amount you made, the dish you stored it in, your refrigerator and whether or not you stirred it during refrigeration. Hope that helps. Cheers!
  • Kervin N
    Kervin N
    Thank you.
  • Angela M
    Angela M
    What is heavy cream?thanks so much
  • Dawn T
    Dawn T
    If you search "heavy cream" (top right of the site), you will see quite a few comments/questions around this. Here is a good post that should help you out with this. Cheers!
  • Julian G
    Julian G
    iron man dies in end game

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