Crème Brûlée Donuts

Indulge in the delightful world of Crème Brûlée Donuts, where creamy filling meets a crispy caramel crust! This easy-to-follow recipe guides you through making these scrumptious treats that will wow your guests or make for a sweet self-care moment. From mixing the batter to achieving that perfect brulee, you'll find all the tips you need.

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Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

3/4 cup whole milk

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste (or 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped)

3 egg yolks

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

Additional granulated sugar for bruleeing

Instructions

Prep the Donut Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until combined.

Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, milk, egg, and vanilla extract until well incorporated.

Mix Together: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.

Fill the Donut Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan and fill each cavity about 3/4 full with the batter.

Bake the Donuts: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the baked donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare the Crème Brûlée Filling: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the heavy cream and vanilla bean paste. Heat until just before simmering, stirring occasionally.

Whisk Egg Yolks: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, brown sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Slowly pour the warm cream mixture into the egg yolks while whisking continuously to prevent scrambling.

Cook the Mixture: Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring continuously until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

Fill the Donuts: Once the donuts are cool, carefully use a piping bag or a small knife to create a hole in the side. Pipe or spoon the crème brûlée filling into each donut.

Brulee the Tops: Sprinkle a thin layer of granulated sugar on each filled donut. Using a kitchen torch, carefully caramelize the sugar until it melts and forms a crispy, crackly layer on top.

Prep Time: 30 mins | Total Time: 1 hr | Servings: 12 donuts

- Presentation Tips: Arrange the donuts on a decorative platter, and drizzle with a little bit of chocolate or caramel sauce for an extra touch. Enjoy them warm for the best texture!