Crème Brûlée Donuts offer a unique twist on two beloved desserts by combining the rich, creamy texture of crème brûlée with the soft, fluffy structure of donuts. Each donut is filled with a luxurious vanilla bean custard, then topped with a thin layer of crisp caramelized sugar, mimicking the iconic crust of crème brûlée. This dessert is a creative masterpiece, perfect for those who appreciate a sophisticated approach to traditional sweets.
Why You’ll Love This: These donuts are an absolute treat for the senses. The contrast between the soft donut and the crackling sugar top creates a satisfying texture experience, while the rich custard filling infuses each bite with velvety vanilla goodness. If you enjoy the thrill of breaking through a crème brûlée’s sugary shell, you’ll find similar joy here, with the added delight of a doughy, comforting base.
Perfect Occasion: Crème Brûlée Donuts are ideal for special occasions that call for an extraordinary dessert. They’re perfect for brunch events, sophisticated tea parties, or as a standout treat at a dessert buffet. These donuts are sure to impress guests at wedding showers, birthday celebrations, or any gathering where you want to offer something a bit more upscale and memorable.
Decoration Tips: To enhance their visual appeal, you can serve these donuts on a beautiful dessert stand or plate them individually with a dusting of powdered sugar and a few edible flowers for decoration. For an extra touch of elegance, pair each donut with a small serving of fresh berries or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
Ingredients:
- Dough:
- 3 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups warm whole milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1/3 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Custard Filling:
- 1 2/3 cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 4 egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Brûlée Topping:
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough:
- Combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Add warm milk and egg to the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
- Incorporate the softened butter and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Make the Custard Filling:
- In a saucepan, combine milk, vanilla extract, vanilla bean seeds, and salt; bring to a simmer.
- Whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks in a separate bowl.
- Gradually add the hot milk to the egg mixture, stirring constantly.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring continuously, until thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in butter. Let cool, then refrigerate until set.
- Fry the Donuts:
- Roll out the dough and cut into rounds.
- Fry in hot vegetable oil until golden brown on each side.
- Drain on paper towels and let cool.
- Fill and Finish:
- Fill a pastry bag with the custard and inject into each donut.
- Prepare the brûlée topping by boiling sugar and water until amber in color.
- Carefully spoon the hot sugar over each custard-filled donut to create a thin, hard shell.
Enjoy these exquisite Crème Brûlée Donuts, a delicious treat that beautifully marries the elegance of French dessert with the comforting joy of a classic donut!
