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Creamy Hollandaise Sauce Recipe Easy Homemade Classic Brunch Sauce

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A silky, creamy hollandaise sauce that combines rich butter and fresh lemon juice, perfect for elevating brunch dishes like eggs Benedict and steamed asparagus. This easy homemade recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with simple ingredients and a foolproof technique.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 large egg yolks, room temperature
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, melted and warm
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon), freshly squeezed
  • 1 tablespoon water, room temperature
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Gently melt 1 cup (227g) of unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Keep it warm but not hot—around 130°F (54°C).
  2. Fill a saucepan with 1-2 inches of water and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Place a heatproof bowl on top, ensuring it doesn’t touch the water.
  3. In the bowl, combine 3 large room-temperature egg yolks, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon water. Whisk vigorously to create the emulsion base.
  4. Whisk continuously as the mixture gently heats. In about 3-5 minutes, it should thicken slightly and double in volume, becoming pale and creamy. Remove from heat briefly if it thickens too fast.
  5. Off the heat, slowly drizzle the warm melted butter in a thin stream while whisking constantly until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
  6. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper (if using). Whisk again and adjust seasoning to taste.
  7. Serve immediately for best texture. To keep warm, place the bowl in a warm water bath but avoid overheating to prevent separation.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs to prevent sauce from splitting. Whisk constantly and add melted butter slowly for a stable emulsion. If sauce splits, whisk in a teaspoon of warm water to bring it back together. Keep sauce warm in a water bath but avoid overheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: hollandaise sauce, creamy hollandaise, brunch sauce, eggs Benedict sauce, homemade hollandaise, easy hollandaise, classic hollandaise