Baked Crème Brûlée Doughnuts

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Baked Crème Brûlée Doughnuts are the perfect marriage of two decadent desserts: the classic French custard and the beloved fluffy doughnut. These golden, airy doughnuts are filled with a silky vanilla pastry cream and finished with a crackly caramelized sugar topping that gives them that signature crème brûlée crunch. Every bite offers a delightful contrast of textures and flavors, making them a showstopper for brunch or dessert tables.

What makes these doughnuts even more irresistible is that they are baked, not fried. This makes them a bit lighter, easier to prepare, and less messy yet still indulgent enough to satisfy your sweet cravings. Whether you’re serving them at a weekend brunch or treating yourself on a quiet afternoon, these baked crème brûlée doughnuts are guaranteed to impress.

Why You’ll Love This Baked Crème Brûlée Doughnuts Recipe

You’ll fall in love with this recipe because it transforms a fancy French dessert into an approachable and portable treat. The baked doughnut base is light and tender while the creamy custard filling feels luxurious without being overly complicated. And that brûléed sugar shell? It’s as fun to crack as it is to eat.

What Kind of Doughnut Pan Should I Use?

For this recipe, a standard non-stick baked doughnut pan works beautifully. Make sure to grease it well so the doughnuts release easily. If you don’t have a doughnut pan, you can also bake them in muffin tins for a similar effect — just adjust the baking time slightly.

Ingredients for the Baked Crème Brûlée Doughnuts

The ingredients for these baked crème brûlée doughnuts are easy to find but create a dessert that feels truly special. The base doughnut is simple and tender, the filling rich and creamy, and the brûléed sugar topping brings everything together with a satisfying crunch.

• All-purpose flour: This is the structure of your doughnut, giving it the perfect crumb.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and also becomes that caramelized crackly top.
• Baking powder: Helps the doughnuts rise and stay light.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness.
• Milk: Adds moisture and richness to the doughnut batter.
• Eggs: Provide structure and help bind everything together.
• Unsalted butter: Brings tenderness and flavor to the doughnuts.
• Vanilla extract: Infuses the dough and custard with warm, aromatic sweetness.
• Heavy cream: Essential for making the creamy custard filling.
• Egg yolks: Key for the custard’s luxurious texture.
• Brown sugar: Adds depth to the custard.

How To Make the Baked Crème Brûlée Doughnuts

Step 1: Prepare the Doughnut Batter

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your doughnut pan generously. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. In another bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. Combine the wet and dry ingredients just until smooth. Spoon the batter into the pan and bake for 12–15 minutes until golden and springy.

Step 2: Make the Custard Filling

In a saucepan, heat heavy cream until steaming. In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Slowly pour the hot cream into the yolk mixture while whisking. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and let cool completely.

Step 3: Fill the Doughnuts

Once the doughnuts have cooled, use a piping bag fitted with a small round tip to fill each doughnut with custard from the side or bottom until plump.

Step 4: Brûlée the Tops

Sprinkle a thin layer of granulated sugar over the tops of each filled doughnut. Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar until it melts and forms a golden crackly crust. Serve immediately or let sit for a few minutes so the topping sets.

Serving and Storing Baked Crème Brûlée Doughnuts

These baked crème brûlée doughnuts are best served fresh, right after caramelizing the sugar so that the tops are crisp and crackly. They make a beautiful addition to a brunch spread or an elegant dessert platter and this recipe yields about 12 doughnuts, making it perfect for a small gathering or to treat your family.

If you need to store them, keep the unfilled baked doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Store the custard filling separately in the refrigerator. Assemble and brûlée just before serving for the best texture.

What to Serve With Baked Crème Brûlée Doughnuts?

Fresh Berries and Whipped Cream

Bright, tart berries and a dollop of softly whipped cream balance the richness beautifully.

Espresso or Cappuccino

A strong coffee drink pairs perfectly with the sweet custard and caramelized sugar.

Mimosa or Sparkling Wine

For brunch, a glass of bubbles complements the doughnuts’ elegance.

Fruit Salad

A refreshing fruit salad with melon, citrus, or kiwi adds a light and colorful touch.

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

For a more decadent dessert, serve the doughnuts with a scoop of ice cream on the side.

Hot Chocolate

On a cozy evening, pair them with a steaming mug of rich hot chocolate.

Cheese Board

For a unique presentation, place them alongside a cheese board with soft cheeses, nuts, and honey.

Want More Dessert Ideas?

If you love these baked crème brûlée doughnuts, you’ll probably enjoy these other favorites:

• Warm and Cozy Apple Crisp for a comforting fruit dessert.
• Carrot Pound Cake that’s moist and full of spice.
• White Chocolate Orange Creamsicle Truffles for a fun bite-sized treat.
• Butter Pecan Cheesecake if you love rich, nutty flavors.
• Mama Seward’s Iconic Strawberry Cake for a beautiful pink showstopper.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you add a touch of cinnamon to the custard? Or torch the tops extra dark? I’d love to hear how you make it your own — questions are welcome too!

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting drinks, desserts, and more on Zoe Recipes on Pinterest and discover your next go-to treat!

Conclusion

These baked crème brûlée doughnuts are an elegant twist on a classic pastry that’s sure to impress at any table. With their creamy filling, caramelized tops, and soft baked dough, they’re both approachable and stunning. Try them out for your next brunch or dessert and enjoy the sweet reward of homemade indulgence.

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