Name: Earl Grey Creme Brulee Pie Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: French-inspired
Ingredients: 1 pie crust (I used Mi-del chocolate gluten free pie crust); 1 vanilla bean (or 2 teaspoons vanilla paste, can be subbed with vanilla extract); 2 cups heavy whipping cream (35%); 2 tablespoons Earl Grey tea (optional); 5 large egg yolks; ½ cup granulated sugar; ⅛ teaspoon sea salt; 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (for topping); Fresh berries (for decoration and serving)

There’s something utterly dreamy about the way a classic creme brulee meets a luscious pie crust, especially when it’s kissed with fragrant bergamot from the tea leaves. This Earl Grey Creme Brulee Pie Recipe is exactly that — rich, silky, and a showstopper with a crisp, caramelized sugar top. You're going to love the unexpected elegance it brings to your dessert table.

The image shows a pie with three visible layers: the bottom layer is dark brown and crumbly like a cookie crust; the middle layer is thick and creamy, light beige in color; the top layer is golden brown and caramelized, with a shiny, slightly burnt surface texture. Fresh strawberries, halved, and whole blueberries decorate the edge of the pie, arranged neatly on top. The pie sits on a white ceramic dish with handles, placed on a white marbled surface. In the background, there is a white container filled with more strawberries and blueberries on a white cloth. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Earl Grey Creme Brulee Pie Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Earl Grey Creme Brulee Pie Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Earl Grey Creme Brulee Pie Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely excited to share this Earl Grey Creme Brulee Pie Recipe because it combines the comfort of a creamy custard with the familiar warmth of tea in a way that feels special but surprisingly simple. Every time I make it, it feels like a little celebration.

Unique Flavor Twist: The infusion of Earl Grey tea with bergamot adds a delicate citrusy note that lifts the classic creme brulee to something extra memorable.
Texture Harmony: Silky smooth custard inside with a perfectly crisp, caramelized sugar top that shatters delightfully. It’s dessert therapy in every bite.
Simple Yet Elegant: While it looks and tastes fancy, the recipe is straightforward, making it perfect for impressing friends or treating yourself on any day.
Gluten-Free Friendly Option: Using a gluten-free chocolate crust adds a lovely chocolate depth, and it’s a breeze to adapt to what you have on hand.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a starring role in crafting that smooth, fragrant custard and crisp, flaky crust your taste buds will adore. Let me walk you through why these work so beautifully together, plus a few tips for sourcing your favorites.

Flat lay of a fresh whole vanilla bean pod sliced open showing the seeds inside, a small pile of loose Earl Grey tea leaves, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with heavy whipping cream, five large whole uncracked brown eggs neatly arranged, a small white ceramic bowl with granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with fine sea salt, a whole chocolate pie crust on a plain white ceramic plate, and a small pile of fresh mixed berries including blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries — all ingredients looking fresh and natural, perfectly balanced and symmetrical, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Vanilla bean: Using a vanilla bean gives that rich, natural vanilla flavor and those charming little flecks in the custard; vanilla paste works well too for convenience.
Heavy whipping cream: This makes the custard luscious and smooth because of its fat content — don’t substitute with lighter cream or milk.
Earl Grey tea: Adds a subtle floral, citrusy aroma; if you love tea, don't skip this step!
Egg yolks: Essential for thickening and giving the custard that silky, custardy texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the custard and also forms the iconic crunchy top when caramelized.
Sea salt: Just a pinch to balance and enhance the flavors without being noticeable.
Pie crust: I love using a chocolate gluten-free crust for that extra chocolatey richness, but you can go with classic or your favorite homemade crust too.
Fresh berries: The perfect fresh, juicy garnish that contrasts with the creamy pie beautifully.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to mix things up with this Earl Grey Creme Brulee Pie Recipe depending on the season or mood — it’s quite forgiving and so adaptable. Feel free to put your own spin on it!

Variation: One time, I swapped out the Earl Grey for lavender tea — it was different but wonderful, offering a subtle floral note that wowed our guests.
Dietary tweak: Using a dairy-free cream substitute can work if you want, but be mindful the custard texture will differ slightly.
Seasonal twist: Try adding a layer of fresh berries or a thin raspberry coulis under the custard before baking for a pop of color and flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Earl Grey Creme Brulee Pie Recipe

A single slice of cheesecake sits on a white marbled surface, showing two main layers: a thick, creamy pale yellow top layer with a caramelized brown sugar crust, and a dense, dark chocolate crumb base layer. Around the slice, there are scattered crumbs, a small silver dessert spoon with some cream on it, and blurred fresh berries in the background including whole blueberries and a mix of whole and sliced strawberries. The scene is softly lit, bringing out the contrast between the creamy top and rich base of the slice. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Infuse the Cream with Tea and Vanilla

Start by slicing your vanilla bean lengthwise and scraping out those tiny black seeds — those are flavor gold! Toss the seeds and the pod into a saucepan with your heavy cream and your Earl Grey tea leaves. Gently heat it over medium-low until it’s steaming but not boiling. This gentle warmth lets the flavors steep together beautifully without bitterness. After removing from heat, let it steep for about 10 minutes—that’s where all that lovely aroma really develops.

Step 2: Whisk Egg Yolks and Sugar

While your cream is steeping, whisk together the egg yolks, granulated sugar, and a pinch of sea salt until just combined. Avoid overwhisking here — you want it smooth, not frothy, which can introduce bubbles you don’t want in your custard texture.

Step 3: Combine the Mixtures Carefully

After you’ve removed the tea leaves and vanilla pod from the cream (don’t forget to strain well or squeeze out the tea bag to capture every bit of flavor), slowly pour a little of the warm cream into the yolk mixture while whisking continuously. This gradual approach prevents the eggs from scrambling. Once combined, slowly add the rest of the cream, keeping everything silky smooth.

Step 4: Pour and Bake

Place your pie crust on a larger baking tray (to catch any spills), then gently pour in your custard. If you're like me using a crumb crust, pour the filling over a spatula to keep the crust intact. Bake at 325°F (165°C) for about 30-35 minutes, just until the center is set but still has a gentle jiggle—sort of like jello. Let it cool to room temperature before chilling it in the fridge for at least 3 hours.

Step 5: Caramelize the Sugar Topping

Right before serving, sprinkle 3 tablespoons of sugar evenly over the top. Place the pie under your oven broiler on the top rack and watch carefully as the sugar melts and caramelizes to a beautiful golden brown in 1-2 minutes. It burns quickly, so don’t stray. If you have a kitchen torch, that works wonderfully too without warming up the custard as much. Pop the pie in the freezer for 15 minutes afterward to firm up the top, making slicing easy and clean.

Top Tip

After making this Earl Grey Creme Brulee Pie Recipe a handful of times, I've learned a few handy tricks to get it just right and avoid common pitfalls.

Slow and Low Heating: Never rush heating the cream. Keeping it below boiling keeps it silky and prevents the tea from tasting bitter.
Gradual Tempering: Adding warm cream to yolks slowly is key to avoid scrambled eggs and keeps your custard smooth.
Watch the Broiler: Broiling sugar takes only a minute or two. Keep a close eye to prevent burning—which happens in a flash!
Use a Baking Tray Underneath: Placing your pie on a larger tray catches any custard drips, saving cleanup and stress.

How to Serve Earl Grey Creme Brulee Pie Recipe

Earl Grey Creme Brulee - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of fresh berries here—something like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries offers a juicy burst to cut through the richness. A light dusting of powdered sugar or a thin twist of lemon zest adds that extra visual sparkle that makes this pie feel even more special.

Side Dishes

Pair this pie with a fresh green salad or even a lightly brewed cup of Earl Grey tea for a cohesive tea-time experience. If serving after dinner, a light glass of dessert wine or champagne balances the creamy richness beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For tea parties, I’ve spooned individual portions into pretty teacups and torched the sugar top directly—such a charming presentation! You can also slice and plate with edible flowers or a drizzle of berry coulis for that extra wow factor during celebrations.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover pie keeps best tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I recommend covering it loosely with foil or plastic wrap to avoid moisture soaking into that crisp sugar top—although it will soften a bit over time.

Freezing

I’ve tried freezing leftovers wrapped well in plastic and foil. The texture changes slightly—more like a frozen custard—but it works in a pinch. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

I don’t recommend reheating this pie as it’s meant to be enjoyed chilled. However, if you want a softer custard, leave it at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I skip the Earl Grey tea and still make this pie?

Yes, you can omit the Earl Grey tea if you prefer a classic vanilla creme brulee pie. The custard will still be deliciously creamy and smooth, but you’ll miss out on the lovely bergamot citrus note that gives this recipe its unique twist.

How do I prevent cracks in the pie custard?

To avoid cracks, bake the custard gently at a lower temperature (325°F) and avoid overbaking. The centre should still jiggle slightly when done. Also, cool the pie slowly at room temperature before refrigerating. A water bath can be used, but it’s not required for this recipe.

Can I use a homemade crust for this pie?

Absolutely! A homemade crust works beautifully, whether it’s a traditional pie dough or a graham cracker crust. Just keep in mind softer crumb crusts may need extra care when pouring in the custard to avoid disturbance.

What’s the best way to caramelize the sugar topping without a broiler?

If you don’t have a broiler, a kitchen torch is the best alternative. It allows you to caramelize the sugar slowly and evenly without overheating the custard underneath. Torching might take a little longer but gives you great control to avoid burning.

Final Thoughts

This Earl Grey Creme Brulee Pie Recipe holds a special place in my heart—not only because it’s a delightful twist on a classic, but because it’s a dessert that always brings smiles and quiet moments of joy. Whether you’re sharing it with friends or savoring it solo, I hope you find the same pleasure I do in crafting and indulging in this silky, fragrant pie. Give it a try—you really can’t go wrong!