Fluffy Creme Brulee Donuts: A Dreamy Breakfast Recipe

Crafting delectable creme brulee donuts offers a delightful culinary adventure that blends classic French dessert magic with beloved American pastry charm.

Crispy caramelized sugar tops a pillowy soft donut, creating an irresistible contrast of textures.

Decadent vanilla custard fills each golden-brown treat with rich, creamy goodness.

Surprising flavors dance across your palate, promising a memorable indulgence.

Professional pastry techniques meet playful creativity in this mouthwatering recipe.

sweet lovers will adore this innovative dessert that combines two iconic treats into one spectacular bite.

You’ll want to savor every delicious moment of this extraordinary culinary creation.

Creme Brulee Donuts: Sweet Twist Essentials

• Combine the classic creme brulee with a fluffy donut for an irresistible dessert that elevates your sweet tooth experience.
• Impress friends and family with a show-stopping treat that looks professionally made but can be crafted right in your home kitchen.
• Learn a sophisticated technique of tempering eggs and caramelizing sugar, boosting your baking skills while creating an extraordinary dessert.
• Adapt the recipe by switching vanilla extract, experimenting with different sugar types, or adding unique flavor variations to make it your own signature treat.

Ingredients for Creme Brulee Donuts

Main Ingredients:

• Flour: The primary base that provides structure for the donuts.
• Yeast: Helps the dough rise and creates a light, airy texture.
• Butter: Adds richness and enhances the flavor of the donut.
• Eggs: Provide moisture and help bind the dough together.

• Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth and rich custard base for the creme brulee filling.
• Egg Yolks: Essential for creating the thick, creamy custard texture.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps caramelize the top of the donuts.

• Milk, Salt, Vanilla Extract, Vanilla Bean: Add depth and complexity to the donut and custard flavors.

How to Make Creme Brulee Donuts

Step 1: Mix Magical Donut Base

Combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a mixing bowl.

Let the mixture sit and become wonderfully foamy.

• Flour
• Salt
• Eggs
• Butter
• Vanilla extract

Knead the dough until silky smooth for about 8-10 minutes.

Place the dough in a greased bowl and let it rise until it doubles in size, which takes roughly 1-1.5 hours.

Step 2: Create Luxurious Custard Filling

• Heavy cream
• Milk
• Half the sugar
• Vanilla bean or extract

Separately whisk egg yolks with remaining sugar.

Slowly blend hot cream into egg mixture to prevent scrambling.

Cook until the custard thickens beautifully.

Strain and cool completely.

Step 3: Transform Dough Into Golden Donuts

Roll out the risen dough and cut into classic donut shapes.

Fry in oil heated to 350F, cooking each side for 2-3 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Drain excess oil on paper towels.

Step 4: Elevate With Caramelized Topping

Once donuts cool, carefully pipe the custard into their centers.

Sprinkle sugar across the surface.

Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar, creating a crackling, glossy top that shatters with each bite.

Tips for Perfect Creme Brulee Donuts

• Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot for optimal volume and soft texture.
• Pour hot cream slowly into egg yolks while whisking constantly to prevent scrambling and ensure smooth custard.
• Maintain 350°F when frying to achieve golden-brown donuts without absorbing excess oil.
• Hold kitchen torch 2-3 inches from sugar surface and move continuously for even caramelization without burning.
• Refrigerate filling for at least 1 hour before piping to help it set and enhance flavor stability.

Storing and Reheating Creme Brulee Donuts

• Store filled donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Wrap individually in plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
• Place unfilled, fried donuts in a freezer bag, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature and fill before serving.
• Warm donuts at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent soggy texture.
• Briefly torch the sugar topping again before serving to revive the crispy caramelized layer and enhance the flavor.

Pairing Ideas for Creme Brulee Donuts

• Elevate Wine Pairing: Select a Sauternes from France, matching the dessert's rich custard sweetness with its honeyed golden notes and subtle acidity.
• Complementary Coffee Match: Brew a creamy vanilla-infused espresso to echo the donut's caramelized sugar and smooth custard undertones.
• Sparkling Contrast Partner: Choose a chilled moscato d'asti, delivering light bubbles that cut through the dense, creamy texture while highlighting the dessert's sweet profile.
• Dessert Wine Harmony: Pour a late-harvest riesling with delicate floral hints that beautifully complement the vanilla and caramel elements in the creme brulee donuts.

Variations for Creme Brulee Donuts

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend using rice, almond, or coconut flour. Ensure xanthan gum is added to help bind the dough.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap dairy milk with almond or oat milk. Use coconut cream for custard and replace egg yolks with silken tofu or cornstarch for thickening. Coconut oil works as a butter substitute.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of regular sugar. Select a sugar-free custard base with erythritol for caramelization. Consider using a light spray of maple syrup for flavor.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Utilize coconut milk and coconut cream for the custard. Replace butter with vegetable oil or coconut oil in the dough. Choose almond or soy milk as a milk substitute.

FAQs

• What makes the donut dough different from regular donuts?

The dough includes vanilla and is enriched with butter and eggs, giving it a richer, more tender texture compared to standard donuts.

• How do I know if I've properly tempered the egg yolks for the creme brulee filling?

When you gradually add hot cream to egg yolks while constantly whisking, the eggs will slowly warm up without scrambling, creating a smooth custard base.

• Can I use a substitute if I don't have a kitchen torch?

Yes, you can place the sugared donuts under a broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to create the caramelized sugar crust without burning.

• What's the most common mistake when making these donuts?

Not allowing the dough to rise completely, which can result in dense and heavy donuts instead of light and fluffy ones. Always let the dough double in size during proofing.

Creme Brulee Donuts Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Indulgent Crème Brûlée Donuts bring French pastry magic to classic American treats, merging silky custard with crisp caramelized sugar. Sweet lovers can savor this elegant dessert experience that promises pure culinary bliss in every delectable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Donuts:

• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frying and Coating:

• Vegetable oil for frying
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Creme Brulee Filling:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thicker filling)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Activate the yeast by combining it with warm milk and a pinch of sugar, allowing the mixture to become frothy and aromatic for 5-7 minutes.
2. Create a silky dough by incorporating flour, salt, eggs, softened butter, and vanilla, kneading until the texture becomes smooth and elastic, approximately 10 minutes.
3. Allow the dough to rest and expand in a covered, greased container for 1-1.25 hours, or until it doubles in volume.
4. Craft the luxurious custard by gently heating cream, milk, and sugar with vanilla, ensuring a delicate infusion of flavors.
5. Temper egg yolks by slowly introducing the heated cream mixture, whisking continuously to prevent curdling.
6. Cook the custard over medium heat until it thickens to a velvety consistency, then strain and refrigerate to cool completely.
7. Roll out the risen dough and cut into uniform circular shapes, preparing for frying.
8. Heat oil to 350°F and carefully fry the donuts for 2-3 minutes per side, achieving a golden-brown exterior.
9. Transfer fried donuts to absorbent paper towels to drain excess oil and cool slightly.
10. Fill the donuts with the chilled custard using a piping bag, ensuring even distribution.
11. Sprinkle a thin layer of granulated sugar across the donut’s surface.
12. Caramelize the sugar using a kitchen torch, creating a crisp, amber-colored crust that cracks when tapped.

Notes

• Activate yeast carefully by ensuring milk is warm (110-115°F), not hot, to prevent killing the live cultures.
• Knead dough thoroughly to develop gluten, creating a light and fluffy donut texture with consistent stretch.
• Temper egg mixture slowly when adding hot cream to prevent scrambling, stirring constantly for smooth custard consistency.
• Torch sugar at a slight angle, moving quickly to create an even golden-brown caramel crust without burning.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 330
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg