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Creme Brûlée Cookies Recipe

Creme Brûlée Cookies Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 10 reviews

Delight in the rich, creamy texture of these Creme Brûlée Cookies, combining a crisp sugar cookie base with a smooth vanilla pastry cream topping finished with a caramelized sugar crust. Perfect for anyone who loves the classic French dessert in a handheld cookie form.

Ingredients

Scale

Vanilla Pastry Cream

  • 2 1/4 cups (540 ml) whole milk
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 1 cup + 2 tbsp (225 g) granulated white sugar
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tbsp vanilla bean paste
  • 3 1/2 tbsp (28 g) cornstarch
  • 3 tbsp (42 g) unsalted butter, cut in cubes

Sugar Cookies

  • 2 1/2 cups (313 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/4 cup (250 g) granulated white sugar
  • 1 cup (224 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated white sugar (for rolling the dough)

Brûlée Topping

  • 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated white sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare Heating Milk: In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium-low heat just until it steams, then reduce heat to low and keep warm until needed.
  2. Mix Egg Yolk Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks, 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of sugar, salt, vanilla bean paste, and cornstarch until combined and pale yellow in color, starting thick but becoming smooth as you whisk.
  3. Temper the Eggs: Gradually add about a quarter of the warm milk into the egg mixture while stirring vigorously, then add the remaining milk and stir to combine fully.
  4. Cook Pastry Cream: Transfer the mixture back to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat for 8-12 minutes, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens to soft peaks consistency.
  5. Add Butter and Chill: Remove from heat, stir in cubed butter until smooth, then cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent skin formation and chill in the refrigerator until completely cold.
  6. Preheat Oven and Prep Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  7. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
  8. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and 1 1/4 cups sugar on high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes, using a hand or stand mixer.
  9. Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
  10. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture on low speed until just combined and dough forms.
  11. Form Dough Balls: Scoop dough using a large cookie scoop and roll into balls.
  12. Roll in Sugar: Pour 1/2 cup sugar into a small bowl, then roll each dough ball in sugar until coated.
  13. Place and Flatten: Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets and slightly flatten each one.
  14. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9-10 minutes, then cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
  15. Assemble Cookies: Fill a piping bag fitted with a small round tip with the chilled pastry cream and pipe a generous dollop on each cooled cookie.
  16. Caramelize Sugar Topping: Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon sugar over the pastry cream, then use a kitchen torch to brûlée the sugar until golden brown and caramelized.
  17. Cool and Serve: Allow cookies to cool for 10 minutes after torching, then serve immediately to enjoy the perfect crisp on the top without sogginess.

Notes

  • Add the pastry cream topping just before serving to avoid soggy cookies.
  • You can substitute vanilla bean paste with vanilla extract, though the flavor may be less intense.
  • Use a kitchen torch carefully to avoid burning the sugar topping.
  • Store assembled cookies in a single layer in the refrigerator and consume within a day.
  • For softer cookies, reduce baking time slightly, but do not underbake as it affects structure.

Nutrition

Keywords: Creme Brûlée Cookies, vanilla pastry cream cookies, caramelized sugar cookies, French dessert cookies, sugar cookie recipe with custard

Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/creme-brulee-cookies-recipe/