Hey there, dessert lovers! If you’re like me, you know that sometimes the biggest comfort comes from a sweet treat that combines all your favorites into one delicious bite. That’s exactly why I’m thrilled to share my Crème Brûlée Cookies recipe with you today! 🎉 These cookies perfectly capture the rich, creamy goodness of classic crème brûlée and blend it seamlessly with the delightful crunch of a cookie. Trust me; once you try these cookies, you’ll wonder why it took so long to bake them.

Why You’ll Love This Crème Brûlée Cookies Recipe

Imagine this: a cookie that’s soft and buttery with a luscious pastry cream center, topped with that iconic crispy sugar crust. Not only do these Crème Brûlée Cookies look elegant, making them perfect for impressing guests, but they’re also surprisingly easy to whip up for a cozy night in. So gather your loved ones (or just cozy up with a stack of these bad boys by yourself), and let’s get baking! 🍪✨

Ingredients: What You’ll Need

Here’s everything you’ll need to create this sweet masterpiece:

For the Vanilla Pastry Cream:
- 2 1/4 cups whole milk
- 6 egg yolks
- 1 cup plus 2 tbsp granulated white sugar
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tbsp vanilla bean paste
- 3 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, cut in cubes
For the Sugar Cookies:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste
- 1/2 cup granulated white sugar for rolling the dough
- 1/2 cup granulated white sugar for the brulee topping

Steps to Culinary Bliss

Let’s break down the steps into easy, accessible chunks—just like that cookie dough you’ll be rolling up soon!

1. Whipping Up the Vanilla Pastry Cream

In a medium saucepan, heat the whole milk over medium-low heat until it’s steaming. Don’t let it boil; we just want a gentle warmth here! 🥛
In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, 1 cup plus 2 tbsp of sugar, salt, vanilla bean paste, and cornstarch until it’s all combined and looks like sunshine in the bowl.
Gradually add about a quarter of your warmed milk to the egg mixture while whisking vigorously to avoid scrambling those lovely yolks! Then, add the rest of the milk and stir.
Transfer everything back to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, whisking continuously until it thickens. This usually takes about 8-12 minutes. When it’s thick and creamy like your favorite pudding, remove it from the heat and mix in the butter. Cover with plastic wrap and chill it in the fridge until it’s cold.

2. Baking the Sugar Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
In a bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together, and then set that aside.
In a large mixing bowl (yes, the one you love to use), cream the softened butter and granulated sugar on high speed for about two minutes until it’s fluffy and delightful.
Add the egg and 1 tablespoon of vanilla bean paste, mixing until pale and fluffy.
Gradually add your dry mixture until it’s a cohesive dough. Feel free to channel your inner cookie monster as you scoop the dough into balls, roll them in the extra granulated sugar, and slightly flatten each while placing them on the cookie sheets.
Bake for about 9-10 minutes, then let them cool on the baking sheets. You did it!

3. Assembling the Cookies

Now for the pièce de résistance! Once the cookies are cooled, you’ll transfer your chilled pastry cream into a piping bag. Pipe a generous swirl of that silky goodness on top of each cookie. Sprinkle about a teaspoon of sugar over the cream on each cookie, and now for the fun part: using a kitchen torch, brulee that sugar until it turns a lovely golden brown! 🔥 Let them cool for a bit, and then enjoy these heavenly treats!

Tips for the Perfect Crème Brûlée Cookies

Chill Out!: For the pastry cream, make sure it’s well-chilled; nobody enjoys a warm cream topping sliding off their cookie!
Torched to Perfection: If you’re worried about the sugar burning too quickly, keep moving the torch around for an even golden color.
Experiment: Play around with different flavors like almond or citrus zest in the cookies for a fun twist!

FAQs

Can I substitute whole milk in this recipe?
Absolutely! You can use 2% milk, but the creaminess will be a tad less luxurious.

How do I store leftovers?
These cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have some left, put them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Just remember, the sugar topping will lose its crunch!

Wrapping It Up

These Crème Brûlée Cookies are not just treats; they are a celebration of flavors and textures that will leave everyone asking for seconds (or maybe even thirds!). Whether you’re baking them for a cozy night in or to impress your friends at a gathering, these cookies are a surefire way to create sweet memories that last a lifetime. So roll up those sleeves, grab your apron, and let’s bake up some joy together!

If you enjoyed making these, be sure to check out some of my other delectable dessert recipes, like my Super Spongy Chocolate Hot Milk Cake or Peach Crumb Cake. Happy baking! 🍮💖