Silky Smooth Caramel Custard (Crème Caramel) Without Baking

Ingredients
For the Caramel
65g (⅓ cup) granulated sugar
For the Custard
500ml (2⅛ cups) whole milk
2 large eggs
5ml (1 teaspoon) vanilla extract
Crushed peanuts for garnish (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making the Caramel (5 minutes)
Place sugar in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat
Allow sugar to melt without stirring, only swirling the pan occasionally
Continue heating until it turns golden amber in color
Remove from heat immediately to prevent burning
Preparing the Custard Base (10 minutes)
Heat milk in a separate saucepan until it just reaches boiling point
In a large bowl, beat eggs thoroughly until well combined
Add vanilla extract to the beaten eggs
Very gradually pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly
Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to ensure smoothness
Cooking the Custard (15 minutes)
Pour the strained mixture into individual glass cups
Cover each cup tightly with plastic wrap
Place cups in a large pot
Add hot water to the pot until it reaches halfway up the sides of the cups
Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, maintaining a gentle simmer
Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until completely chilled
Before serving, top with crushed peanuts if desired
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 165
Protein: 6g
Carbohydrates: 23g
Fat: 6g
Sugar: 22g
Calcium: 15% DV
Total Time:

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Chilling Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 4-6 portions
Pro Tips and Tricks
Always use room temperature eggs to prevent curdling
Strain the mixture twice for extra smoothness
Never let the water boil during steaming
Test doneness by gently shaking the cups – custard should be set but slightly jiggly
Cool completely before refrigerating to prevent condensation
Variations and Substitutions
Replace whole milk with half cream for richer texture
Use brown sugar for deeper caramel flavor
Add orange or lemon zest for citrus notes
Top with different nuts or fresh fruits
Use coconut milk for a dairy-free version