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Crème Brûlée Doughnuts

Featured in: Sweet Treats That Create Memories

These Crème Brûlée Doughnuts merge two beloved desserts into one unforgettable treat. The process begins with a rich, buttery yeast dough that's allowed to develop flavor overnight. After frying to golden perfection, each pillowy doughnut is filled with silky pastry cream made from egg yolks, milk, and sugar. What transforms these from ordinary filled doughnuts into something special is the finishing touch - a layer of caramelized sugar that hardens to create the signature crackling top of a crème brûlée. The contrast between the soft dough, creamy filling, and shattering caramel creates a multi-textured dessert experience that's both familiar and exciting.
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marry from tastelikemagic.com
Updated on Wed, 05 Mar 2025 02:22:49 GMT
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Pillowy soft doughnuts filled with silky vanilla bean custard and topped with a crackling caramelized sugar crust create an extraordinary dessert experience that combines two beloved classics. Each bite delivers the perfect textural contrast between the airy dough, velvety pastry cream, and that signature brittle sugar shell that shatters delightfully against your teeth. These gourmet treats transform ordinary doughnuts into something truly spectacular, worthy of special occasions yet approachable enough for ambitious home bakers to master with a bit of patience and attention to detail.

I first encountered these doughnuts at a small artisan bakery while traveling and became immediately obsessed with recreating them at home. After several test batches adjusting the custard thickness and sugar caramelization technique, this version finally captured that magical combination I remembered. My family now requests these for birthday celebrations, and friends have started expecting them at brunches. Even my father, who rarely eats sweets, can never resist these when they appear on the table.

Essential Components

  • All purpose flour: Provides the necessary structure while maintaining tenderness in the dough
  • Instant yeast: Ensures reliable rising without the guesswork of active dry varieties
  • Whole milk: Contributes richness and tender texture to both dough and custard
  • Egg yolks: Create silky smoothness in the pastry cream while adding richness
  • Vanilla bean paste: Delivers intense flavor with beautiful specks throughout the filling
  • Cornstarch: Stabilizes the custard to maintain the perfect pipeable consistency
  • Unsalted butter: Enriches both components with incomparable flavor
  • Granulated sugar: Creates the signature crackly top when properly caramelized
  • Fresh lemon zest: Brightens the dough with subtle citrus notes
  • Quality frying oil: Ensures proper cooking without imparting unwanted flavors

Baking Instructions

Create Tender Dough:
Combine warm milk with yeast and a teaspoon of sugar in a small bowl, allowing it to stand until foamy and active. Meanwhile, whisk together flour, remaining sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the yeast mixture along with eggs, softened butter, and any flavor additions like vanilla or lemon zest. Knead thoroughly until the dough becomes smooth and slightly tacky.
Develop Proper Structure:
Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled. For enhanced results, refrigerate overnight to develop more flavor. Once risen, gently deflate and turn onto a lightly floured surface.
Shape Perfect Rounds:
Roll the dough to one-inch thickness. Use a round cutter to portion doughnuts. Transfer cut doughnuts to parchment lined trays, cover loosely, and allow to proof until puffy.
Fry To Golden Perfection:
Heat oil in a heavy pot to 175°C. Fry doughnuts in small batches, turning once, until evenly golden brown. Remove and drain on a paper towel lined rack.
Prepare Silky Custard:
Warm milk in a saucepan. Whisk egg yolks with sugar until pale, then add cornstarch. Gradually stream in warm milk while whisking. Return to heat and cook until thickened. Stir in butter and vanilla until smooth.
Fill With Precision:
Cool custard completely. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a small tip. Insert the tip into each doughnut, gently squeezing until properly filled.
Create Signature Caramel:
Sprinkle sugar evenly over the tops. Use a torch to melt and caramelize into a crisp, golden shell.
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I learned through trial and error that allowing the caramel to set for exactly 90 seconds creates the perfect crack without becoming too hard. My daughter loves helping with the torching process, making this a special baking project we share. The first time I served these at a family gathering, my sister claimed they were better than her favorite bakery, which remains my proudest baking moment.

Flavor Inspirations

Transform these classic doughnuts with creative variations. Coffee infused custard creates a tiramisu inspired version. Chocolate lovers will appreciate a dark chocolate custard version. For fruit forward options, consider folding raspberry puree into the custard before filling.

Storage Solutions

Enjoy these doughnuts fresh. Store unfilled doughnuts at room temperature in an airtight container for up to one day. Refrigerate custard separately for up to three days. Assemble and caramelize just before serving for optimal texture.

Serving Suggestions

Serve on a wooden board with powdered sugar for contrast. Offer toppings like crushed pistachios or edible gold dust. Pair with espresso or cappuccino for a perfect balance of flavors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make the dough without a stand mixer?
Yes, you can mix by hand but it will require more time and effort to develop the gluten properly for a soft, elastic dough.
→ How long will these doughnuts stay fresh?
They're best eaten the same day, especially to preserve the crisp caramel top. The filled doughnuts without caramel can last 1-2 days refrigerated.
→ Can I bake these instead of frying?
While possible, baking will result in a different texture. If baking, use a 350°F oven for about l5 minutes until golden.
→ What's the best way to fill the doughnuts?
Use a piping bag with a long filling tip. Insert it into the side and squeeze gently until you feel slight resistance.
→ How do I get the caramel layer perfect?
Apply a thin, even layer of sugar and caramelize with a kitchen torch, moving constantly to prevent burning any one spot.

Crème Brûlée Doughnuts

These Crème Brûlée Doughnuts combine soft fried dough with creamy vanilla custard filling, topped with a crackling caramelized sugar crust for an irresistible treat.

Prep Time
40 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
70 Minutes
By: Marry

Category: Sweets & Desserts

Difficulty: Difficult

Cuisine: French-American Fusion

Yield: 12 Servings (12-14 doughnuts)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ For the Dough

01 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
03 ¼ cup granulated sugar
04 ½ teaspoon salt
05 3 large eggs, room temperature
06 ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
07 ½ cup warm water or warm milk (110°F/45°C)
08 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)
09 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

→ For the Pastry Cream

10 2 cups whole milk
11 4 egg yolks
12 ½ cup granulated sugar
13 ¼ cup cornstarch
14 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
15 1 tablespoon rum or brandy (optional)

→ For the Caramel Topping

16 1 cup granulated sugar
17 ¼ cup water (for wet caramel method)

→ Optional Garnishes

18 Chopped nuts
19 Ground cinnamon or nutmeg
20 Cocoa powder (for flavor variation)
21 Almond, coconut, or hazelnut extracts (for flavor variation)

Instructions

Step 01

Start by bringing your doughnut adventure to life! Combine the instant yeast with warm water or milk (about 110°F - warm but not hot enough to kill the yeast). Let this mixture sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes foamy and fragrant, showing that your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic.

Step 02

In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Give them a quick mix to distribute everything evenly. With the mixer running on low speed, slowly pour in your foamy yeast mixture. Watch as these simple ingredients begin to transform!

Step 03

Now it's time to make your dough truly special. Add the eggs one at a time, allowing each to fully incorporate before adding the next. Then add your softened butter in small pieces, along with the lemon zest and vanilla extract if using. The dough will look messy at first, but keep kneading for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

Step 04

Transfer your dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel, and let it rest. For the best flavor development, refrigerate overnight (this is called a cold fermentation). If you're short on time, let it rise at room temperature for 1-2 hours until doubled in size. Patience here means better flavor in your finished doughnuts!

Step 05

Once your dough has risen beautifully, gently punch it down to release the air bubbles. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 12-14 equal portions (using a kitchen scale helps ensure even sizing). Roll each piece between your palms to form smooth balls. Place them on parchment-lined baking sheets with enough space between each for rising.

Step 06

Cover your shaped doughnuts with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise again for about 30-45 minutes until they've puffed up and nearly doubled in size. They should look pillowy and when you gently press a finger into the dough, the indentation should slowly spring back.

Step 07

Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C). Carefully lower 2-3 doughnuts into the hot oil, being careful not to crowd the pan. Fry for about 2 minutes per side until they're a beautiful golden brown color. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain excess oil. This is where the magic happens - watching them puff up and turn golden!

Step 08

While your doughnuts cool, prepare the luscious filling. Heat the milk in a saucepan until hot but not boiling. Meanwhile, in a heat-proof bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Slowly stream the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking constantly (this is called tempering and prevents the eggs from cooking). Pour everything back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency.

Step 09

Remove your pastry cream from the heat and whisk in the butter until melted and fully incorporated. If you're using rum or another flavor extract, stir it in now. Transfer the cream to a bowl, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming, and chill until completely cool. Once cooled, give it a good whisk to smooth it out before transferring to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip.

Step 10

Using a small knife or chopstick, create a hole in the side of each doughnut. Insert the piping tip into the hole and gently squeeze, filling each doughnut with the pastry cream until you feel a slight resistance (be careful not to overfill). Wipe away any excess cream that might escape from the hole.

Step 11

For that signature crème brûlée finish! If using a kitchen torch: simply sprinkle the tops of the filled doughnuts with a thin, even layer of granulated sugar and caramelize with the torch until bubbling and amber-colored. If using the wet method: combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, swirling occasionally until it turns a deep amber color. Carefully dip the top of each doughnut into the caramel and let it cool and harden.

Step 12

Give the caramel a few minutes to set and harden into that perfect crackable crust. Sprinkle with any optional garnishes like chopped nuts or a dusting of cinnamon. Then enjoy your homemade creation - break through that crisp caramel top, bite into the soft, fluffy doughnut, and savor the creamy filling. These are best enjoyed the same day they're made, while the contrast between textures is at its peak!

Notes

  1. These Crème Brûlée Doughnuts combine the best of two classic desserts: fluffy yeast doughnuts and creamy, caramelized crème brûlée.
  2. For the best texture contrast, serve these doughnuts soon after applying the caramel topping so it remains crisp while the doughnut stays soft.
  3. You can experiment with different flavor variations by adding extracts to the pastry cream or different garnishes to the caramel topping.

Tools You'll Need

  • Stand mixer with dough hook
  • Deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot
  • Candy/deep fry thermometer
  • Piping bag with small round tip
  • Kitchen torch (recommended) or saucepan for caramel

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains gluten (all-purpose flour)
  • Contains dairy (milk, butter)
  • Contains eggs
  • May contain nuts if using optional garnishes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 320
  • Total Fat: 15 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 42 g
  • Protein: 6 g