Silky Creme Brulee Cookies Recipe

Silky Crème Brûlée Cookies: Irresistible Sweet Treats Recipe

Decadent baking meets classic french dessert in these silky creme brulee cookies that promise pure indulgence.

Sweet aromas will fill your kitchen with warmth and anticipation.

Delicate caramelized sugar creates a crisp, golden top that shatters beautifully with each bite.

These elegant treats capture the essence of the beloved French custard in a delightful cookie form.

Creamy vanilla undertones meld seamlessly with a crunchy caramel finish.

Rich ingredients transform an ordinary cookie into an extraordinary dessert experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 305 kcal

Servings: 12

What You’ll Need to Make Crème Brûlée Cookies Shine

For Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create soft cookie texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens cookies and helps create golden, crisp edges.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture to the cookie dough.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates structure and gives cookies their classic tender crumb.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and achieve light, delicate texture.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies other flavors in the recipe.
For Finishing Touch:
  • Parchment Paper: Ensures cookies don't stick and promotes even baking.

Tools That Help Crème Brûlée Cookies Crack Just Right

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla.
  • Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients smoothly.
  • Baking sheets: Needed to bake and space out cookie dough.
  • Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
  • Wire rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly without getting soggy.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Spatula or wooden spoon: Helps mix ingredients thoroughly.

How to Bake Crème Brûlée Cookies with Caramelized Tops

  • Warm Up the Oven Prepare your oven by heating it to 350F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for perfect cookie placement.
  • Create Cookie Base Blend butter and sugar until they become creamy and light, then mix in egg and vanilla extract to build a delicious foundation.
  • Mix Dry Ingredients Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl, creating a smooth dry mixture.
  • Shape Your Cookies Gently scoop dough into small balls, press them slightly flat with your hand, and arrange them on the baking sheet with some breathing room between each cookie.
  • Bake to Golden Perfection Place cookies in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for golden edges and a soft center. Once done, let them cool completely on a wire rack, allowing them to set and develop their rich, creamy flavor.

Tips for Perfect Sugar Topping on Crème Brûlée Cookies

  • Use a kitchen torch to create the classic creme brulee crispy sugar top directly on each cooled cookie for authentic restaurant-style presentation.
  • Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate up to 3 days, or freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 2 months for quick fresh baking anytime.
  • Swap regular flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cookies celiac-friendly without compromising texture or taste.
  • Experiment with different extracts like almond or coconut instead of vanilla, or add orange zest for a citrusy note that complements the creamy profile.
  • For softer cookies, reduce baking time by 1-2 minutes; for crispier edges, extend baking time and flatten cookies slightly thinner before baking.

How to Serve Crème Brûlée Cookies Like a Pro

  • Sweet Finale Crunch: Sprinkle caramelized sugar on top of each cookie just before serving, mimicking classic creme brulee's crispy caramel layer.
  • Party Platter Paradise: Arrange cookies on a beautiful ceramic platter with fresh berries and mint leaves for an elegant dessert presentation that looks professionally styled.
  • Creamy Companion: Serve alongside a small shot glass of chilled vanilla custard or light cream for dipping, creating a delightful interactive dessert experience that enhances the cookie's rich flavor profile.
  • Coffee Corner Delight: Pair these cookies with espresso or cappuccino to complement their sweet, delicate taste and provide a perfect afternoon treat that balances richness with a warm beverage.

Storing Crème Brûlée Cookies Without Losing That Crunch

  • Transfer cookies to an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep at room temperature for 3-4 days.
  • Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for soft, delicious texture.
  • Store cookies in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight to maintain their crisp edges and delicate flavor profile.
  • Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days before baking. This technique enhances flavor development and convenience for busy bakers.

FAQs

  • Can I use brown sugar instead of white sugar?

Yes, brown sugar will give the cookies a deeper, caramel-like flavor that complements the creme brulee profile. Just replace the white sugar with an equal amount of brown sugar.

  • How do I get the signature creme brulee crackle on top?

After cooling, sprinkle a thin layer of granulated sugar on each cookie and use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until it turns golden brown and creates a crisp top layer.

  • Is it possible to make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum. This will help maintain the cookie’s texture and structure.

  • Can I add extra flavor to the cookies?

Yes, you can enhance the flavor by adding a pinch of ground vanilla bean, a splash of rum extract, or even some finely grated orange zest to the dough for a more complex taste profile.

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Silky Creme Brulee Cookies Recipe

Silky Creme Brulee Cookies Recipe


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4.6 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Delightful Creme Brulee Cookies blend classic French dessert elegance with American cookie charm. Caramelized sugar tops creamy, rich cookies that transport you straight to a Parisian patisserie.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar (for caramelizing)
  • 2 tsps vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a non-stick surface for delicate cookies.
  2. Creaming: Whip butter and sugar together until light, airy, and pale, developing a luxurious base for the cookie dough.
  3. Wet Ingredient Integration: Blend egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, ensuring a smooth, uniform consistency that will bind the ingredients perfectly.
  4. Dry Ingredient Combination: Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together, creating a fine, lump-free mixture that will provide structure to the cookies.
  5. Dough Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing until a cohesive dough forms, being careful not to overmix and maintain a tender texture.
  6. Shaping: Scoop uniform portions of dough, roll into smooth balls, and gently flatten with fingertips to create elegant disk-shaped cookies with consistent thickness.
  7. Baking: Arrange cookie disks on prepared trays, spacing them to allow for gentle spreading, and bake for 8-10 minutes until edges turn golden and centers set.
  8. Cooling: Remove from oven and transfer to wire racks, allowing cookies to cool completely and develop a delicate, crisp exterior that captures the essence of creme brulee.

Notes

  • Control Butter Temperature: Ensure butter is softened but not melted for optimal creaming, creating a smoother, more consistent cookie texture.
  • Master Even Spreading: Press cookies gently and uniformly to achieve consistent thickness, preventing uneven baking and ensuring balanced crispness.
  • Monitor Baking Time Carefully: Watch cookies closely during 8-10 minute window, as over-baking can quickly transform delicate edges from golden to burnt.
  • Customize Flavor Variations: Experiment with adding vanilla bean seeds or replacing extract with bourbon for enhanced depth and complexity in creme brulee profile.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 231
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 100mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg
Emily Lawson

Emily Lawson

Content Creator & Culinary Specialist

Expertise

  • Creative Content Writing and Blogging​
  • Plant-Based and Alternative Grilling Recipes​
  • Food Styling and Visual Storytelling​
  • Nutritional Analysis and Healthy Cooking

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and the fusion of global flavors with traditional grilling methods. ​


Emily Lawson is the content creator at Daves Grill, turning tasty ideas into clear, easy recipes. Based in Portland, she trained at the Oregon Culinary Institute and loves cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, especially grilled veggies and global flavors.

Emily mixes food writing with hands-on cooking to bring you recipes that feel fun, not stressful. Her goal is to make every dish simple, flavorful, and worth coming back to. Together, she and Dave serve up real food, one recipe at a time.

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