Cybele Pascal
Allergy Free Crème Brulee
You people have been asking for a pudding or custard recipe long enough. Ive had requests for dairy-free, egg-free crème caramel, flan, allergy-free crème brulee, pudding, and custard. And then Flo Makanai at Makanai, Bio, Bon, Simple requested a vanilla pudding or vanilla custard, free not only of the top 8 most common allergens, but also that it be rice-free, potato-free, and corn-free too. This was a challenge, Flo thanks for making me sweat! Additionally, Flo lives in France, where I dont believe she can purchase my go-to: Ener-G Egg Replacer. I really had to put on my thinking cap for this one. Allergen-free, vegan, no rice, potato, or corn international shopping restrictions I didnt have a clue.
What I did have, however, was a kitchen blow torch. So I decided to commit myself to a Crème Brulee, and figure it out as I went along.
The trick, I discovered, to creating an allergen-free vegan, internationally-friendly Crème Brulee? Coconut milk for the cream, tapioca starch for the eggs, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, and a few ramekins. This recipe got a lot of love from my son Lennon, but I may attempt to further perfect the concept in coming blogs perhaps with Flan, so check back to see it in a new incarnation. Read on to make your free-of-almost-everything custard!
Allergy-Free Crème Brulee
Makes 4 Servings
Most vegan Crème Brulee relies on silken tofu or cashew nuts. Neither are allergy-friendly ingredients, so for this recipe, Ive turned to the magical thickening powers of tapioca. The all natural food coloring is an optional ingredient, but adds the pale yellow hue that egg yolks traditionally give to custards. Skip it if its not already in your kitchen.
1. Combine ¼ cup of the coconut milk with the tapioca starch, granulated sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and vegan milk. Whisk well to combine. Add food coloring, and whisk well. If you want it more yellow, add a drop more until desired color is achieved.
2. Combine remaining coconut milk (be sure to scrape out entire contents of can with a rubber spatula) with light brown sugar in heavy pot over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring often with a wooden spoon. Add coconut milk/ tapioca starch mixture to pot. Heat over medium heat, whisking continuously until it begins to simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook, whisking continuously about 4 minutes, or until thickened. You want it thick. It may seem a little goopy but it will smooth out to a creamy texture once it chills.
3. Transfer to 4 small ramekins (or Crème Brulee dishes, if you have them, I didnt!).
4. Let cool in fridge at least 4 hours.
5. When ready to serve, remove ramekins from fridge and place on a flat surface.
6. Sprinkle tops evenly with about 2 teaspoons sugar each.
7. FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS on your blow torch, caramelize the sugar, by working in small circles, melting sugar until golden. It will harden quickly. Serve. If you dont have a blow torch you can skip the caramelized topping and just serve it as custard.
Allergy-Free Crème Brulee
© 2010 by Cybele Pascal
Here are some more Crème Brulee recipes you might enjoy:
? Chocolate Crème Brulee from Celiac Family
? Crème Brulee Ice Cream from Gluten Free Works
? Coconut Crème Brulee from Got No Milk
(Please note that all my recipes are completely free of all top allergens (wheat, dairy, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish, shellfish, and gluten), so as many people as possible can enjoy them. Additionally, all the ingredients are available at Whole Foods, and online at Amazon.com. If you have trouble finding something, let me know and Ill help you find it.)
SAFETY NOTE: Because each person’s food sensitivity and reaction is unique, ranging from mild intolerance to life-threatening and severe food allergies, it is up to the consumer to monitor ingredients and manufacturing conditions. If manufacturing conditions, potential cross contact between foods, and ingredient derivatives pose a risk for you, please re-read all food labels and call the manufacturer to confirm potential allergen concerns before consumption. Ingredients and manufacturing practices can change overnight and without warning.
24 Responses
Cybele,
We are can-free here due to BPA and heavy metal concerns. Could I sub-in So Delicious Coconut Milk…does it have enough fat to use for a brulee? Or would I need to use something like Tropical Traditions Coconut Creme Concentrate?
I can’t wait to give this recipe a try 
Thanks for posting this yummy recipe!
~Robin
Hi Robin:
I don’t think the So Delicious has enough fat in it. Yes, try adding the coconut cream concentrate.
All best,
CYbele
[…] Read more and get the recipe at Cybele Pascal: Allergen-Free Cuisine… Tags: allergy-free, creme brulee, dairy-free, Dessert, egg-free, gluten-free, soy-free, vegan Tweet […]
OMG I never even would consider asking this as a challenge, it just seemed impossible:) How dare I doubt thee O great one. This is by far my favorite favorite dessert and needless to say I’m thrilled! If I’m in the states nd hve EnerG and have no rice or potato concerns, would you have done anything differently?
Cybele,
OMG I never even would consider asking this as a challenge, it just seemed impossible:) How dare I doubt thee O great one. This is by far my favorite favorite dessert and needless to say I’m thrilled! If I’m in the states nd hve EnerG and have no rice or potato concerns, would you have done anything differently?
Melissa
Hi Melissa:
Just do as written, it’s yummy. You can use potato starch instead of the tapioca if you like, though.
Enjoy!
Cybele
Hi Cybele,
Just discovered your website. What a great idea! I also renovate recipes, but don’t do quite so much in terms of allergies. You’re offering a fantastic service, and as I 1) have a torch and 2) am now vegan, this is an exciting recipe to discover!
Hi Stephanie:
I just checked out your site, and we are very like-minded! I can’t wait to follow what you are up to next. Enjoy your torch!
Cybele
Hi Cybele! You have changed our lives…. What a treasure your Allergen Free bakers handbook has been to me and my family! Every single recipe is better than the next…. And even friends and family members who have no allergies LoVe all your desserts!!! My daughter is allergic to all 8 major allergens except for soy but is also allergic to coconut, sesame, banana and all berries! Would anything else work in this recipe beside coconut milk? Thanks so much for all you do…..
Annette
Thanks Cybele, I agree… it’s wonderful to find a kindred spirit. Congrats on your great blog and successful book! I look forward to seeing more of your recipes. I’m currently working on a blog redesign and learning my new camera, then I’ll be posting more often.
Enjoying your blog…and drooling a lot! Cybele, I’ll be sharing it with the folks in the Autism community. There are so many of those who are diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder that have various food allergies. You are providing a vital service! Keep it up!
http://www.WhoAmIWhyAmIHere.com
Hi Annette:
Thanks for your lovely comment. Hmm…. you can try it with rice milk, but you may need to add extra tapioca starch to help thicken it.
All best to you and your family!
Cybele
Hi Stephanie:
I look forward to seeing what you do with your blog redesign, and your new camera! I need a new camera desperately. What kind did you get?
all best,
Cybele
What a challenge and what a master. I am definitely saving this recipe since it not only looks delicious but allergy free like this is just fabulous.
Hi Jill:
I just checked out your site. Your book is lovely! I wish I were in Paris this weekend! I”d come by and see you.
all best,
Cybele
I will have to try this. Please add my e-mail address to get your blog. Thank you. Susan
[…] Cybele Pascal, allergy-free cooking & baking superstar, brings us Creme Brulee. […]
[…] right. Check them out! And while you’re over there, Pascal has come up with an allergy free crème brulee. That I’m going to make as soon as I get the […]
Oh. My. I cannot wait to try this. Creme Brulee is my all-time favorite dessert and I’ve not been able to eat it for years. Thank you SO much!
I thought I commented on this when I read it first, but I am SO excited about your crème brulee recipe. The only other vegan crème brulee recipe I’ve seen has soy in it, and my daughter’s intolerant.
I only recently discovered your baking book and your blog. Thank you for all you do!
~Robin #
03.15.2011 12:18
Cybele,
We are can-free here due to BPA and heavy metal concerns. Could I sub-in So Delicious Coconut Milk
does it have enough fat to use for a brulee? Or would I need to use something like Tropical Traditions Coconut Creme Concentrate?
I cant wait to give this recipe a try
Thanks for posting this yummy recipe!
~Robin
Cybele #
Hi Robin:
I dont think the So Delicious has enough fat in it. Yes, try adding the coconut cream concentrate.
All best,
CYbele
==>Thank you, Cybele. What ratio of coconut milk mixed w/coco cream concentrate would you advise subbing in for the canned coconut milk? I have no idea where to start w/that sub!
Many thanks and hugs to you for your great recipes,
~Robin
This dessert sounds amazing. I have a friend this would be great for..except she cannot have the sugar. Is there anything I could substitute and if so how much? Thank you so much!
Dear Candy:
You could try palm sugar/ coconut sugar though I can’t vouch for it. Can your friend have that?
all best,
Cybele
Cybele,
Thank you so much! I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out how to do a dairy-free, corn-free creme brulee. I can’t wait to try it. And I’ll get to use my new brulee dishes and kitchen torch, too. 
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