Maple creme brulee for two.
Crème brûlée is my secret weapon for making an ordinary evening feel special. I keep a couple of ramekins in the fridge, ready for a sprinkle of sugar and a quick pass with a torch. The contrast between the silky custard and the crunchy caramelized top is disarmingly comforting — just one spoonful can smooth over the rough edges of a bad day or help mend a small argument. This maple version adds a warm, cozy dimension that’s perfect for sharing.
I don’t usually tell people everything, because I like to appear composed and put together. But life isn’t always tidy countertops and perfectly clean dishwashers. It’s not always about petite ramekins, tidy whisks, or flawlessly separated eggs. There are messy moments, and that honesty makes sharing a simple dessert feel real and meaningful.
Last month brought one of those messy stretches. My partner (the one I affectionately call Mr. Dessert For Two) and I spent a lot of time apart while I sorted through my thoughts. On my birthday I made an impulse decision to embrace solitude — a sudden flare of fear about losing control. The idea of marriage had been rattling around in my head and, for reasons I couldn’t fully explain, it made me want to retreat and protect myself. I worried about depending on someone else, about being bound to a choice that might feel limiting years later. I’ve always valued being the one in charge of my life, my time, and my emotions. That can be safe, but it can also be lonely.
Marriage has been part of our conversation from early on. He told me on our third date that he could see us married someday and asked me to let him know when I felt ready. That honest, open moment terrified me, and I reacted by pushing him away — a reflex I’m not proud of. If you’ve ever felt panic at the thought of committing, you’re not alone. Many of us carry complicated, perfectly reasonable anxieties about big life choices.
After a month of thinking, I realized that the path I had planned for myself alone wasn’t necessarily richer than the life we could build together. My 27th year felt like a turning point. We started talking seriously about practical dreams: buying land, creating a small farm, and making a home that’s not just a source of income but a place where community and life intertwine. We agreed we’d rather have a manageable parcel of land close to town than an isolated estate far away — life, after all, is better with people in it.
On a small but very special note, I want to thank all veterans for their service, especially Mr. Dessert For Two. I also want to acknowledge the Marine Corps birthday with a steady Ooo-rah.
Maple Creme Brulee for Two
Makes 2 ramekins of maple crème brûlée flavored with real maple syrup. A simple, gluten-free dessert that’s elegant enough for a special night but easy enough to make any evening memorable.
10 minutes
50 minutes
8 hours (chilling)
About 9 hours (includes chilling)
Ingredients
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon maple extract (optional for extra maple flavor)
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Bring a kettle of water to a boil for a bain-marie (water bath). Make sure your two ramekins will fit comfortably inside the baking dish you plan to use.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, heavy cream, maple syrup, and maple extract (if using). Mix until smooth and well combined, but avoid whipping in too much air.
- Divide the custard mixture evenly between the two ramekins and place them in the baking dish. Carefully pour the boiling water into the dish so it reaches about halfway up the sides of the ramekins, taking care not to splash water into the custards.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes if using wide, shallow ramekins, or 50–55 minutes for standard ramekins. The centers should be set but still slightly jiggly.
- Remove the ramekins from the water bath and allow them to cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight to chill completely and develop flavor.
- Just before serving, sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar evenly over each custard and caramelize the sugar with a kitchen torch until it forms a crisp, golden-brown shell. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh contrast of creamy custard and crunchy topping.
Recommended Tools
Helpful items for this recipe include 6-ounce or 5-ounce shallow ramekins and a kitchen torch for caramelizing the sugar. These make the process easier and help achieve the classic crème brûlée texture.
Nutrition Information
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1 ramekin
Amount Per Serving (approximate):
Calories: 458 · Total Fat: 31g · Saturated Fat: 17g · Cholesterol: 438mg · Sodium: 132mg · Carbohydrates: 34g · Sugar: 31g · Protein: 12g
Did you make this recipe?
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