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Crème Brûlée Fluffy Baked Donuts – A Soft, Custard-Filled Dream with Caramel Crunch!

Crème brûlée lovers, prepare to fall head over heels for this heavenly mashup: Crème Brûlée Fluffy Baked Donuts. Imagine everything you adore about a classic crème brûlée — silky custard, crackly caramel top, rich vanilla — now wrapped inside a light, airy baked donut with a golden finish. This recipe is the ultimate indulgence: warm, pillowy donuts baked to perfection, filled with smooth vanilla custard, and finished with a blow-torched sugar crust that shatters with every bite. No deep frying, no pastry chef certification — just pure joy in donut form. They’re perfect for weekend baking, brunch spreads, special occasions, or any time you’re craving a creative, show-stopping treat.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
bake & chill & Rest/Rise Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 12 crème brûlée donuts
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

🥚 Produits frais:
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 large egg yolks
🧂 Aides culinaires et épices:
  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch for thickening the custard
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar divided
  • 2¼ teaspoons instant or active dry yeast
  • ⅜ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
🛢️ Huiles et vinaigres:
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
🧈 Produits laitiers:
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2¼ cups milk divided
💧 Liquides:
  • ¼ cup water

Equipment

  • To pull off these impressive donuts, here’s what you’ll need:
  • Stand mixer with dough hook (or mixing bowl + strong arms)
  • Medium saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Silicone spatula
  • Donut pan or muffin tin
  • Small spoon or piping bag
  • Kitchen torch (for brûlée effect)
  • Cooling rack
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Thermometer (for warming milk)

Method
 

🔹 Part 1: Make the Donut Dough
  1. Step 1: Activate the Yeast
  2. Warm 1 cup milk until it’s lukewarm (about 100–110°F / 38–43°C). Add in the yeast and ¼ cup sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
Step 2: Make the Dough
  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine:
  2. Flour
  3. Salt
  4. Egg
  5. Yeast mixture
  6. Melted butter
  7. Vanilla extract
  8. Using the dough hook, mix on low until combined, then knead on medium for 5–6 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add flour 1 tbsp at a time if too sticky.
  9. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
🔹 Part 2: Make the Custard Filling
    Step 1: Whisk the Base
    1. In a saucepan, whisk together:
    2. 3 egg yolks
    3. Remaining 1¼ cups milk
    4. 1 cup sugar
    5. 3 tbsp cornstarch
    6. Vanilla extract
    Step 2: Cook the Custard
    1. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens to a smooth pudding texture. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp butter for silkiness.
    2. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface, and refrigerate until set (at least 1 hour).
    🔹 Part 3: Shape and Bake Donuts
      Step 1: Prep the Donut Mold
      1. Grease a donut pan (or muffin tin if you prefer stuffed donut holes).
      Step 2: Shape and Rise
      1. Once dough has doubled, divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll into smooth balls. For donuts: flatten slightly and press into molds. For filled donut holes: place dough balls into muffin tins.
      2. Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes until puffy.
      Step 3: Bake
      1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake donuts for 13–15 minutes, or until lightly golden and set.
      2. Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely.
      🔹 Part 4: Fill and Brûlée
        Step 1: Fill the Donuts
        1. Transfer chilled custard to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Use a paring knife to make a small hole in each donut, then pipe custard into the center.
        Step 2: Brûlée the Tops
        1. Sprinkle 1–2 teaspoons granulated sugar on top of each donut. Using a kitchen torch, melt the sugar until it bubbles and caramelizes into a golden, crackly crust.
        2. Let cool 2–3 minutes before serving.

        Notes

        🧊 Storage & Reheating
        Storage:
        Store filled donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
        Reheating:
        Best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. If you want a warm donut, avoid microwaving the sugar top — it can melt. Instead, warm gently in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes.
        Freezing:
        Freeze unfilled baked donuts for up to 1 month. Thaw, fill, and brûlée before serving.
        Note: Custard texture may change when frozen, so freeze donuts only before filling.
        🥄 Variations
        Love a twist? Try these tasty takes:
        Salted Caramel Brûlée Donuts: Drizzle with salted caramel sauce before torching.
        Coffee Custard: Add 1 tsp espresso powder to custard for a rich mocha twist.
        Lemon Crème Brûlée: Mix lemon zest into the custard and top with citrus sugar.
        Chocolate Crème Brûlée: Add ¼ cup melted dark chocolate to the custard base.
        Mini Brûlée Donuts: Make bite-sized versions in a mini muffin pan.
        ❓ 10 FAQs
        1. Do I need a kitchen torch?
        Yes — a torch gives that authentic brûlée texture. Broilers don’t work as well for this delicate top.
        2. Can I fry the donuts instead?
        Yes! Shape and rise the same way, then fry in 350°F oil for 2–3 minutes per side. Cool before filling.
        3. Why is my custard runny?
        It likely wasn’t cooked long enough. Whisk constantly until thick and pudding-like.
        4. Can I use store-bought custard?
        Yes, for convenience. Just make sure it’s thick enough to pipe.
        5. What kind of milk is best?
        Whole milk gives the richest flavor and creamiest custard. 2% is a decent substitute.
        6. Can I use vanilla bean instead of extract?
        Absolutely! Use seeds from one pod for a true bakery-style vanilla aroma.
        7. Do I need to chill the custard?
        Yes — it helps it firm up for piping and prevents melting the donut interior.
        8. How do I get even caramel tops?
        Hold the torch 2–3 inches away and keep it moving to avoid burning.
        9. Can I make these gluten-free?
        Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture may vary slightly.
        10. Can I make them ahead?
        You can bake and fill a day ahead, but brûlée them just before serving for the perfect crackle.
        🏁 Conclusion
        These Crème Brûlée Fluffy Baked Donuts are where French elegance meets cozy comfort. They’re golden, pillowy soft, filled with silky vanilla custard, and topped with a caramelized sugar crust that cracks with every bite.
        Perfect for impressing brunch guests, gifting, or treating yourself, they’re the ultimate elevated donut experience. And once you try them, you’ll never look at basic donuts the same way again.
        So grab your torch and let’s get baking — your dream donut awaits.