Crème Brûlée Donuts

Indulge in the ultimate dessert with homemade Crème Brûlée Donuts! These delightful treats feature fluffy donuts filled with a rich, creamy center and topped with a crispy caramel crust that's simply irresistible. Perfect for any occasion, this easy-to-follow recipe includes simple ingredients and fun flavor variations. Click through to explore the step-by-step guide and impress your friends and family with these decadent donuts!

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Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 large egg

1/2 cup whole milk

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons brown sugar (for topping)

1/4 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or seeds from 1/2 a vanilla pod)

1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for the brûlée crust)

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.

Create Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.

Fill the Pan: Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 2/3 full.

Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow them to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Prepare Crème Brûlée Filling: In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until just simmering. Remove from heat and add vanilla bean paste. Let it steep for 10 minutes.

Whisk Together: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and brown sugar until pale and thick. Gradually pour the warm cream into the egg mixture while whisking continuously to temper the eggs.

Fill Donuts: Using a piping bag or a small squeeze bottle, fill each cooled donut with the crème brûlée filling.

Brûlée the Tops: Sprinkle a thin layer of granulated sugar on top of each filled donut. Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar until it forms a crispy, golden crust. (If you don’t have a torch, you can broil them on high for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning).

Cool and Serve: Allow the donuts to cool for a few minutes after torching before serving to let the sugar harden.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Servings: 12 donuts

- Presentation Tips: Serve the donuts on a tiered stand, and garnish with fresh berries and mint leaves for a colorful touch. Dust with powdered sugar right before serving for an extra touch of elegance!