Did you think that crème brûlée was off the menu?! Well, I’m so excited to bring you a very similar, just-as-creamy vegan version of this popular European dessert recipe—without the cream or the eggs! Perfect for date night, you won’t believe how simple this crème brûlée is to make, and you’ll definitely be impressing your guests with this fourth-course dish.

  • Yield: 2–4 servings

INGREDIENTS

Crème brûlée

  • 1 (13.5-oz [400-ml]) can coconut milk, solid part only
  • 2 tsp (10 ml) pure vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp (24 g) arrowroot powder
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) maple syrup
  • 2 cups (480 ml) water

Topping

  • 2 tbsp (12 g) cane sugar
  • INSTRUCTIONS
  • Preheat the oven to 325 °F (160°C). Place crème brûlée dishes or ramekins into a large cake pan or roasting pan. In a medium saucepan, heat the solid coconut milk, vanilla, salt, arrowroot powder, cinnamon and maple syrup over medium heat until the mixture thickens and is smooth and creamy. If it’s not completely smooth, transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth. Evenly distribute the mixture into the crème brûlée dishes or ramekins. Heat the water in the microwave until almost boiling, then very carefully pour enough hot water into the pan to come halfway up the outsides of the ramekins, being very careful not to splash water into the ramekins.
  • Bake the crème brûlée for 20 minutes. When the ramekins are cool enough to touch, transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely for about 1 hour. Cover the ramekins with plastic wrap and place them in the fridge overnight.
  • Remove the crème brûlée from the refrigerator, divide the cane sugar equally among the ramekins and spread it evenly on top. Using a torch, melt the sugar to form a crispy top. If you don’t have a torch, you may place the ramekins in the oven and broil them, watching very carefully so they don’t burn.
  • NOTES
  • Propane gas torches are highly flammable and should be kept away from heat, open flame and prolonged exposure to sunlight. They should be used only in well-ventilated areas. Follow the torch manufacturers’ instructions for use.