crème brûlée

noun

crème brû·​lée -brᵫ-ˈlā How to pronounce crème brûlée (audio) -brü- How to pronounce crème brûlée (audio)
: a rich custard topped with caramelized sugar

Examples of crème brûlée in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The menu has French inspiration with dishes like escargot, homemade gnocchi, European sea bass, and creme brulee. Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2025 For dessert: a creme brulee doughnut and a chocolate chip waffle sundae. Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 14 Nov. 2025 Classics like Dutch milk chocolate and Madagascar vanilla bean will appeal to purists, but flavors like creme brulee and bourbon are available for dads with more adventurous tastes. Will Porter, Architectural Digest, 11 Nov. 2025 Don’t skip out on dessert: the pumpkin bread pudding and London fog creme brulee are some of the best sweet treats in town. Cat Sposato, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2025 The most popular drink is the Burnt Creme latte, which tastes like creme brulee. Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 2025 This whisky was bottled at cask strength of 43.9 percent ABV, and has notes of stone fruit, black cherry, dark chocolate espresso beans, and creme brulee on the palate. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025 The dessert menu now consists of butter toffee cake, budino, basque cheesecake and creme brulee bread pudding. Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, scorched cream

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crème brûlée was in 1886

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Cite this Entry

“Crème brûlée.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cr%C3%A8me%20br%C3%BBl%C3%A9e. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.

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