Crème Brûlée Cookies combine the rich flavors of traditional crème brûlée with the delightful texture of a cookie. Here’s a recipe to make approximately 16 cookies
Author:ksuur
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies:
1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
½ cup (100g) light brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2¾ cups (350g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
For the Custard Filling:
½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
2 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
For the Topping:
½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
Instructions
Prepare the Cookie Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading during baking.
Bake the Cookies:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out the dough into 1.5-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
Press the center of each dough ball with your thumb to create a small indent (this is where the custard will go).
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may still look slightly underbaked—that’s okay!
Remove the cookies from the oven and gently reinforce the indent with the back of a spoon while they’re still warm.
Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
Prepare the Custard Filling:
In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium-low heat until it just begins to simmer (do not let it boil).
In a bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and egg yolks until pale and slightly thickened.
Slowly pour the hot cream into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 5 minutes).
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract.
Allow the custard to cool slightly before using.
Assemble the Cookies:
Once the cookies and custard have cooled, spoon a small amount of custard into the indent of each cookie, spreading it slightly but keeping it within the indent.
Place the filled cookies on a baking sheet.
Caramelize the Sugar Topping:
Sprinkle a generous amount of granulated sugar over the custard-filled center of each cookie.
Using a kitchen torch, carefully caramelize the sugar until it melts and turns a deep amber color, forming a hard shell. If you don’t have a kitchen torch, you can place the cookies under a broiler for a few minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
Serve:
Allow the caramelized sugar to harden for a minute or two.
Serve the cookies immediately to enjoy the contrast between the crisp caramel topping, creamy custard, and soft cookie base.
Notes
These cookies are best enjoyed fresh, as the caramelized sugar topping may soften over time.
If preparing in advance, store the baked cookies and custard separately. Assemble and caramelize just before serving.