Creme Brûlée Cookies offer a luxurious twist on two beloved treats: the timeless cookie and the elegant French dessert. Imagine a soft, buttery cookie with a creamy custard-like center and a thin, crackly caramelized sugar topping. It’s everything you love about creme brûlée — now in cookie form. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply craving something sophisticated and sweet, these cookies deliver pure joy in every bite.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
What Makes These Creme Brûlée Cookies So Irresistible?
These cookies combine familiar comfort with upscale flair. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with them:
- Buttery vanilla base with a creamy center
- Crispy caramelized sugar topping just like traditional creme brûlée
- Simple ingredients and approachable steps
- Show-stopping results that impress guests
- Great for holidays, dinner parties, or gourmet gifting
Ingredient Breakdown for Creme Brûlée Cookies
Here’s what you’ll need and why each item matters:
Ingredient | Purpose |
---|---|
All-purpose flour | Gives the cookies structure and a tender crumb |
Cornstarch | Helps soften the texture and prevents spreading |
Baking powder | Provides slight lift for light, chewy cookies |
Salt | Balances sweetness and enhances flavor |
Unsalted butter | Adds richness and moisture to the dough |
Granulated sugar | Sweetens the dough and forms the caramel topping |
Brown sugar | Adds moisture and a hint of molasses depth |
Eggs + egg yolk | Bind the dough and enhance the creamy center texture |
Vanilla extract | Deepens the flavor, mimicking traditional custard |
Heavy cream | Creates a silky custard texture inside the cookie |
Cream cheese (optional) | Adds extra creaminess for a more decadent center |
How to Make Creme Brûlée Cookies Step-by-Step
1. Make the Cookie Dough
Begin by creaming your butter with both sugars until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, giving your cookies that soft, chewy interior. Then mix in the eggs, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. The combination of yolk and cream creates that rich, custard-like base reminiscent of creme brûlée.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
2. Chill the Dough
Before baking, it’s essential to chill your dough. Chill for 10 minutes to set the dough and prevent excessive spreading in the oven. Chilling also allows the flavors to meld for a more balanced bite.
3. Shape and Bake
Scoop your dough into even portions and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to gently indent the center of each cookie—this is where the custard topping will go.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8 to 10 minutes. The edges should be golden while the center remains soft. Allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet to maintain their shape.
4. Add the Custard Center and Caramelized Sugar Topping
Once the cookies are cooled, spoon a small amount of cream or prepared custard into the center of each cookie. Sprinkle granulated sugar over the tops and use a kitchen torch to caramelize it until golden brown. If you don’t have a torch, a quick broil in the oven will do the trick—just keep a close eye to avoid burning.
Tips for Perfect Creme Brûlée Cookies Every Time
Achieve flawless results with these expert baking tips:
- Use room temperature ingredients for a smooth, even dough
- Don’t overmix once the dry ingredients are added
- Always chill your dough before baking to maintain structure
- Torch only after cookies are fully cooled to avoid melting the center
- Store cookies in a single layer to preserve the brûléed top
Creative Variations to Try
Make this recipe your own with these inspired twists:
- Caramel Center: Fill with a dollop of caramel instead of cream
- Espresso Creme Brûlée Cookies: Add a touch of instant espresso powder to the dough
- Berry Swirl: Add a raspberry or strawberry puree swirl to the custard
- Chocolate Twist: Use a chocolate custard or add cocoa to the dough for a double-chocolate version
Storing & Freezing Creme Brûlée Cookies
Proper storage helps maintain that signature texture:
- At Room Temp: If untopped, store in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Refrigerated: Once filled and brûléed, keep in the fridge for up to 4 days
- Freezing Dough: Scoop dough balls and freeze; bake straight from frozen with a couple extra minutes
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Cool completely before layering with parchment and freezing
FAQs About Creme Brûlée Cookies
How do I caramelize the sugar without a torch?
Use your oven’s broiler on high. Place cookies under the broiler for 1-2 minutes. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
Can I use store-bought custard?
Absolutely. Pre-made custard or even vanilla pudding can work in a pinch.
Why is my sugar not crisping?
Make sure you’re using dry, granulated sugar and that it’s not melting into a wet custard. Torch until it bubbles and darkens.
Do I really need to chill the dough?
Yes. Chill for 10 minutes to set. This ensures the cookies hold their shape and keeps the centers soft but stable.
Creme Brûlée Cookies blend rich flavor with elegant presentation. With a creamy center and caramel crunch topping, each bite delivers complexity and comfort. They’re impressive yet easy enough for any home baker to master. Try them for your next celebration or just because you deserve something extraordinary.
Let your oven do the magic—bake a batch and taste the brilliance.
PrintHeavenly Creme Brûlée Cookies That Melt in Your Mouth
Creme Brûlée Cookies are buttery vanilla cookies with a creamy custard-like center and caramelized sugar topping—just like the classic French dessert in cookie form.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour – provides the cookie’s structure and tender crumb
- Cornstarch – softens texture and prevents spreading
- Baking powder – adds slight lift and chew
- Salt – balances flavor and enhances sweetness
- Unsalted butter – brings richness and moisture
- Granulated sugar – sweetens and creates the brûlée topping
- Brown sugar – adds moisture and molasses depth
- Eggs + egg yolk – bind ingredients and create creamy texture
- Vanilla extract – mimics classic custard flavor
- Heavy cream – adds custard-like richness
- Cream cheese (optional) – adds decadence to the filling
Instructions
- Cream butter with granulated and brown sugar until fluffy.
- Mix in eggs, yolk, vanilla extract, and heavy cream until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet and mix until just combined.
- Chill dough for 10 minutes to set.
- Scoop dough onto parchment-lined baking sheet and indent centers.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes until edges are golden.
- Cool cookies completely, then add cream or custard to the center.
- Sprinkle sugar on top and torch or broil until caramelized.
Notes
- Always use room temperature ingredients for even mixing.
- Chill dough before baking to control spreading.
- Use a kitchen torch for better brûlée topping control.
- Store in single layers to protect caramelized tops.
- Customize filling with caramel, espresso, or berry puree.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg