Irish Coffee Creme Brulee
You can tell an obsessed blogger by the repetitive posts. Yes, today I’m making an Irish Coffee Crème Brulee for St Patrick’s Day–right after my basic vanilla creme brulee. Would it help if I told you I feel guilty about double desserts? Fish or vegetables next time, cross my heart!
Irish Coffee Creme Brulee with Whiskey
But this dessert is a testament to just how easy creme brulee is to make. And the fact that it’s so tasty and foolproof that testing is a joy. In fact, I’m going to be buying additional ramekins to make this special custard-y treat for larger dinner parties.
Now I should tell you… the Irish Coffee (strong coffee with Irish Whiskey & whipped cream) that flavors this does hold a special place in my heart. Because of an event I’ve related before.
Irish Coffee Creme Brulee
When I was in college, I spent a semester abroad studying in Dublin. At the time it was not uncommon for historical properties to have no central heating. I lived in a beautiful Georgian, but the fact that I could see my breath in my bedroom as early as October was a little hard on my respiratory system and I was coming down with a cold.
I had tickets to the Abbey Theater and decided to tough it out anyway (considering my student budget). As I sniffled through intermission, someone mentioned that Irish Coffee was sold in the lobby and had been known to stop more than one cold dead in it’s tracks. I decided to give it a try.
Irish Coffee (the Real Thing)
I felt lovely during the rest of the show and slept soundly that night. When I woke in the morning, however, I couldn’t speak above a whisper and was under the weather the rest of the week.
I don’t know if the moral of the story is don’t take Irish Coffee for a cold or don’t take medical advice from random strangers. But I never did either again.
Irish Coffee Crème Brulee, however, with it’s lighter booziness and creamy richness, is unlikely to be dangerous with a cold. Though nothing in this post is intended as medical advice ;-).
Irish Coffee Creme Brulee Trio
If it would be helpful to see more detailed preparation pictures, take a look at my original No Torch Crème Brulee post. Or if you are just in the mood for a straight Irish Coffee recipe (and my first telling of the story), check out my original post. If you really NEED to be healthy, I do have a nice brown soda bread recipe!
Irish Coffee Creme Brulee Served
Happy St Patrick’s Day.
- 3 T sugar
- ¼ c strong brewed coffee (see note)
- ¾ c heavy cream
- 1 T whiskey (or 2 for a stronger flavor)
- ½ t vanilla
- 3 egg yolks
- Preheat oven to 325 F.
- Dissolve sugar in the coffee. Add cream, whiskey and vanilla.
- Beat eggs and combine well with cream mixture. Strain into pouring vessel.
- Pour into four 4-ounce ramekins, then set the ramekins into a 9 x 9 inch or 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
- Carefully place pan with ramekins in oven. While in oven, pour enough boiling water into pan to cover two-thirds of the height of the ramekins. Be careful not to splash water into ramekins.
- Bake 25 to 40 minutes until the center of the custard is set but jiggly (it’s okay if sides are jiggly too as long as the center is set)
- Carefully transfer ramekins individually to cooling rack—I found that lifting with a hamburger turner worked best. Refrigerate until chilled, approximately 2 hours.
- Sprinkle about 1 1/2 teaspoons of brown sugar over each chilled custard. Place under pre-heated broiler to brown. Watch like a hawk to avoid burning (or fire).
- Refrigerate until rechilled, 1-2 hours
- I used a French Press to brew a very strong coffee.
My paternal grandparents were both from Ireland and they too swore by Irish Coffee as a remedy for colds. I think though, those Irish just like an excuse to drink whiskey. 😉
We are planning to move in a few months, so I’ve been only trying to buy necessary items (less stuff to move). I don’t have any ramekins though and this creme brulee looks so wonderful that I think I may have to deem the purchase of some ramekins as “necessary” in the very near future, haha.
You know there was a whole lot of Irish Coffee disappearing that night if I recall… I’d have to have decaf coffee in it now that I’m older 😉
Wow that year of renting is going by fast! At least creme brulee ramekins are small if you decide to take the plunge!
I hope you had a festive St. Patrick’s Day Inger. I’m sure you did after taking one gander at this Irish Coffee Creme Brûlée!
The story just adds to the flavor of not only the drink but of the tradition that Irish Creme has for “curing” colds.
Thank you so much for sharing, Inger…
You know last year on St Patrick’s Day, I saw my first ever Northern Lights (then went to a bar to warm up) ! Guess there’s no bad time to be had! Though interestingly, my husband had a cold this year…
i’m SO excited to go to ireland in may, and posts like this make me even more giddy. what a delicious dessert, especially for someone as obsessed with the idea of irish coffee as i!
You’ll have a wonderful time Grace!
Haha! I loved your story, Inger. Now I know what to do when I have insomnia! This creme brûlée looks and sounds AMAZING!! I need to try it…soon! Pinning.
Cold no, but insomnia, yes!