Vegan Creme Brulee- Sweet dried dates boiled with quick-cooking oats and dairy-free milk make a rich custard-like mixture that is topped with sugar and broiled until melted. The cooked creme brulee is set aside until the melted sugar coating has hardened, then served as a decadent dessert that will impress the whole family.
Creme brulee is a luxurious French dessert that is made with a layer of rich custard and topped with a hard caramel shell. It's one of those desserts that often feels like a special occasion dish. You know, the type of thing you order at a restaurant when you want to feel a little bit fancy. But guess what? It's actually really easy to make your own vegan version at home.
I love creme brulee, and this vegan creme brulee recipe is just as delicious as the traditional version, but it's made without any animal byproducts. It's perfect for parties or gatherings because it can be made ahead of time and doesn't require complicated equipment. If you've been looking for a great recipe that everyone will enjoy, this vegan creme brulee is a must-try!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love Creme Brulee
- What is Creme Brulee?
- Equipment Needed To Make Dates And Oats Creme Brulee
- Ingredients For Creme Brulee
- How To Make Dates And Oats Creme Brulee
- What to Serve With Vegan Creme Brulee?
- Popular Substitutions & Addition
- How To Reheat & Store Creme Brulee
- How To Store Creme Brulee
- 📋 Recipe
Why You'll Love Creme Brulee
Luxurious- With its rich, creamy middle and crisp sugar top, this creme brulee is absolutely delicious!
Minimal Ingredients- 4 ingredients are all it takes to make a dessert that is so good people will ask for it over and over again.
Great For Parties- Creme brulee can be made ahead of time, so it's perfect for entertaining a crowd.
Looks Fancy- Impress all your guests with this beautiful creme brulee! It looks like something you spent hours making in the kitchen, but it actually doesn't take much time.
Easy To Make- Don't be intimidated by creme brulee! This recipe is simple to follow and easy to make without much prep time required!
What is Creme Brulee?
Creme brulee is a classic French dessert that consists of a creamy custard base topped with caramelized sugar. It's usually made with milk, eggs, vanilla, and sugar, but this vegan recipe uses dates and oats to create the same rich texture without any milk or eggs.
Equipment Needed To Make Dates And Oats Creme Brulee
- Saucepan
- Spoon
- Ramekins or Baking Dish
- Baking Sheet
- Measuring Cups
Ingredients For Creme Brulee
- Dairy-Free Milk- To make the custard-like mixture.
- Quick Cooking Oats- Thickens up the custard and adds texture.
- Dried Dates- Sweetens the creme brulee and adds a subtle fruity flavor.
- Sugar- Provides a thin layer of crunchy, caramelized topping.
How To Make Dates And Oats Creme Brulee
In a saucepan over medium heat, add milk, oats, and dates and mix well with your stirring spoon. Bring the oatmeal base to a boil, lower the heat and let simmer for a few minutes while stirring frequently.
Pour the filling into individual ceramic ramekins or a baking dish and wait for them to cool for at least an hour.
Set oven to broil, place the ramekins on a baking sheet and broil until the sugar browns slightly in a preheated oven. The oven rack should be on the second from the top shelf. Sprinkle a thin layer of sugar evenly over the top of the oat mixture. As the sugar melts, it should liquefy and bubble before being removed from the oven. Watch carefully, as you do not want the sugar to burn. Once cooked, place ramekins on a cooling rack to allow the sugar to cool and harden before serving it.
What to Serve With Vegan Creme Brulee?
This vegan creme brulee can be served as a standalone dessert, breakfast, or paired with various items. Here are some suggestions:
- A bowl of your favorite vegan-friendly vanilla ice cream
- Fresh berries
- Vegan whipped cream (dairy-free or vegan)
- Pecans or other nuts
- Caramel sauce
- Drizzle with syrup or fruit compote
Popular Substitutions & Addition
While this recipe is perfect as-is, I understand that not everyone has the same ingredients on hand. Here are some popular substitutions and additions:
- If you don't have quick oats on hand, you can use old-fashioned oats or rolled oats instead. Just keep in mind that rolled oats and old-fashioned oats will take a bit longer to cook than quick oats.
- Not a fan of dates? You can omit them from the recipe or substitute raisins, dried apricots, or even dried cranberries.
- This creme brulee is naturally sweetened with dates and doesn't require any additional sugar. However, if you prefer your desserts on the sweeter side, feel free to add a tablespoon or two of maple syrup when cooking the oats.
- Add in a teaspoon of vanilla extract for extra flavor.
- Try topping your creme brulee with vegan chocolate chips, toffee bits, or even crushed candy canes.
- For breakfast, add some granola or chopped nuts on top.
- Mix some cinnamon in the oats for flavor.
- Add a sprinkle of vegan vanilla protein powder to the oats for an extra boost of protein.
As you can see, this vegan creme brulee is simple to make and can be customized to fit your taste! Enjoy it for breakfast, dessert, or just a sweet treat anytime. Bon Appetit!
How To Reheat & Store Creme Brulee
What Is The Best Way To Store Creme Brulee?
As with most desserts, this vegan creme brulee is best enjoyed fresh. However, if you don't plan on eating it right away, it's best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
How Long Will Date And Oats Creme Brulee Last In The Fridge?
When stored properly in an airtight container, creme brulee will last up to a week in the refrigerator.
Can I Freeze This Vegan Creme Brulee?
I do not recommend freezing this vegan creme brulee as it can cause the texture to change. If you must freeze it, be sure to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and serving.
How To Reheat Creme Brulee?
Simply place the ramekins in a 350-degree oven for 5-10 minutes until they're warmed. Alternatively, you can reheat them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
How To Store Creme Brulee
Creme brulee can be stored for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. To heat from the fridge, simply place the ramekins in a 350-degree oven for 5-10 minutes until they're warmed. Alternatively, you can reheat them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes
Dates And Oats Creme Brulee FAQs
Is this creme brulee recipe gluten-free?
Yes, as long as you use gluten-free oats, this vegan creme brulee is naturally gluten-free.
Do I use brown sugar or granulated sugar in this recipe?
This dates and oats creme brulee recipe calls for granulated sugar as the topping. However, you can also use brown sugar if desired. The texture will be slightly different but will still taste delicious!
I don't have dates. Can I use something else?
Yes. If you don't have dates on hand, you can use raisins, dried apricots, or even dried cranberries.
Can I still make this creme brulee if I don't have ramekins?
Of course! You can use any oven-safe baking dish in place of the ramekins. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the type of baking dish that you use.
Do I have to use a broiler to harden the sugar on top?
No, you could also use a handheld culinary torch to make sugar bubbles if you have one.
Can I use this recipe to make creme brulee overnight oats?
Yes! In a medium bowl, follow the same instructions as the creme brulee recipe, mix well, and omit the caramelizing step. Then store in an airtight container overnight and enjoy your creme brulee overnight oats with a spoon and a sprinkle of cinnamon any morning for breakfast!
📋 Recipe
Dates and Oats Creme Brulee
Ingredients
- 4 ½ cups dairy free milk
- 1 ½ cup quick cooking oats
- 12 pieces pitted dried dates snipped with scissors into small
- ¼ cup sugar for crisping the top - organic
Instructions
- In a saucepan, over medium-high heat add the milk, oats, and dates. Bring to a low boil and then turn down to a simmer and cook 6 minutes, stirring often.
- Spoon into little round bowls. About a cup each. I was able to do 6 of these bowls. Let sit until cooled about ½ to 1 hour.
- Sprinkle sugar, evenly, over the tops of the oats. I experimented with raw (turbinado) sugar and also coconut sugar. All three were delicious but the granulated sugar is the one that gave the traditional hard topping that you can tap with a spoon.
Now to get the topping to melt and harden.
- Turn on the broiler with the rack on the second from the top shelf.
- Place the bowls on a baking sheet. Slip the baking sheet, with the bowls, on the top rack.
- Broil them for 7 top 8 minutes. The sugar will eventually turn to liquid and bubble all over. When the time is up take the baking sheet out of the oven and let cool.
- If you use turbinado or coconut sugar you need to watch them and turn the bowls because the sugar actually browns and you don't want them to burn.
- Keep in the refrigerator and eat cold or zap in the microwave for a very short time so you do not wreck the hard topping.
Felesha Bell
Love creme brulee and love this yummy twist!! Fantastic idea!!
Pretty
Love a healthier version of creme-brulee, thanks for sharing!
Laura
What an unusual recipe, I will try it with the Tunisian Dates, they are so sweet and delicious. Great idea to have it in the fridge for guests to help themselves
Gloria
I love creme brulee....one of my top 3 favourite desserts. When you can have something that tastes like dessert ... for breakfast....what a WIN!!! Perfect for the cold weather that we are now entering.