Is Creme Brulee gluten free? YES, creme brulee is gluten free most of the time, the only way it will be with gluten is if you change the original recipe and add flour or other gluten containing ingredients.
Usually, creme brulee is made with these ingredients:
- Cream
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Sugar
- Water
Gluten free confidence score of creme brulee
Creme brulee gets a 8.5/10 score on our scale because the ingredients of it are GF, but some restaurants add flour or other gluten containing ingredients to their recipe so it’s best to always check with the waiter or on the box before eating.
What is creme brulee
Maybe the most popular desert in the world, eaten by so many people it’s practically a universal desert by now.
Delicious and creamy, crème brûlée is a classical dessert that is definitely worth adding to your ‘Best Desserts’ list.
Crème brûlée, also known as burned cream or Crema Catalana, is a dish that consists of a custard base topped with a crispy layer of caramelized sugar.
The origin of crème brûlée is subject to a lot of controversies, with France, Spain, and England all claiming to be the country where this dessert originates.
However, the first printed recipe for crème brûlée dates back to 1691 and it was published in a French cookbook by Francois Massialot, who was a cook at the Palace of Versailles.
In French cuisine, the custard base usually has a vanilla flavor, while in Catalan cuisine, the custard base is usually flavored with lemon and cinnamon.
However, crème brûlée may have other flavorings (e.g. chocolate) and fruit may be added to enhance flavor.
In Spain, crème brulee is known as Crema Catalana or flan. In Italy, it is called Cream Caramella, while in Britain it is known as Trinity Cream. However you call it, it is still delicious!
The traditional crème brûlée recipe contains cream, sugar, eggs, water, and vanilla, being considered safe to eat by people with celiac and gluten-intolerant consumers.
What to look out for
As long as the crème brulee is made following the traditional recipe (i.e. cream, water, eggs, sugar, and vanilla), it is gluten free.
However, some recipes contain additional ingredients that may contain gluten. It is important to always check the label carefully.
If you are going to enjoy this dessert at a restaurant, make sure to ask for information on the used ingredients. Also, keep in mind that cross-contamination may occur during cooking.
If you want to play safe, you can make your own gluten free crème brulee. Just make sure you get all the necessary tools: ramekins and a kitchen blowtorch.
Known brands for GF crème brulee
Reina
Located in Spain, Reina offers a wide range of desserts. Apart from their gluten free Crema Catalana, Reina offers other gluten free desserts that you may check out here or here.
Crema Catalana Ingredients:
| Egg | Whole milk |
| Egg yolk | Skim milk |
| Sugar | Cream |
| Caramelized sugar | Flavorings |
| Coloring | Modified corn starch |
Schär
Schär offers you the possibility to make your own gluten free crème brulee using their Mix C – Mix Pâtisserie. If you want to give it a try, you can find the recipe here.
Mix C – Mix Pâtisserie is a white flour that contains:
- Rice flour
- Maize flour
- Maize starch
- Lentil flour
- Locust bean gum
- Modified tapioca starch
Toscano
Toscano offers a wide range of gluten free products, including various gluten free desserts such as the Chocolate Melt in the Middle cookies or Crème Brulee.
Crème Brulee Ingredients:
- Eggs
- Cream (65%) (From Milk),
- Sugar
- Egg yolk
- Caramel Topping (4%) (Glucose Syrup, Sugar)
- Natural Vanilla Flavouring
May contain traces of: soy, peanuts, tree nuts
Macphie
Located in Scotland, Macaphie has been offering a wide range of quality products since 1920. You can find out more about their products here.
Macphie Crème Brulee Ingredients:
| Water | Modified starch |
| Sugar | Butter |
| Skimmed Milk | Stabiliser(Gellan gum E418) |
| Milk Protein | Salt |
| Vegetable Oil | Flavoring, Coloring |
| Egg yolk |
To sum up
Popular worldwide, creme brulee tempts fine desserts lovers with its velvety texture, creamy taste, and crunchy topping.
Though usually made from gluten-free ingredients and considered safe to consume by people with celiac, some manufacturers may add gluten-containing ingredients to their recipes.
So make sure to always check labels carefully for hidden sources of gluten.
