The Perfect Creme Brûlée Cupcakes Recipe: Sweet Bliss in Every Bite

Creme brûlée cupcakes represent a delightful fusion of classic French dessert elegance with modern bakery innovation.

Silky smooth custard intertwines with delicate cake, creating a sensational sweet experience that tantalizes sophisticated palates.

These decadent treats convert traditional creme brûlée into a handheld, portable indulgence that surprises and delights.

Crisp caramelized sugar tops each miniature cake, mimicking the iconic crackable surface of its renowned inspiration.

Rich vanilla undertones and creamy textures promise a luxurious dessert that elevates everyday baking into an artistic culinary adventure.

Delicate yet bold, these cupcakes challenge conventional dessert boundaries with their refined complexity.

Bakers seeking to impress guests will find this recipe a guaranteed showstopper.

Creme Brûlée Cupcakes That Combine Two Classics

• Torch the Sweet Drama: Create a restaurant-worthy dessert at home with the dramatic caramelization process that transforms simple cupcakes into a gourmet experience. The kitchen torch adds a professional touch that makes everyone feel like a top-tier pastry chef.
• Creamy Surprise Inside: Each cupcake comes with a delightful hidden center of rich, silky pastry cream that bursts with vanilla flavor when you take a bite. The unexpected creamy filling elevates these cupcakes from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Textural Wonderland: Experience an incredible mix of textures- soft, tender cake, smooth pastry cream, buttery frosting, and a crisp caramelized sugar top that cracks beautifully with each spoonful. These cupcakes offer a multi-layered sensory adventure in every single bite.

Ingredients for Creme Brûlée Cupcakes You’ll Love

• All-Purpose Flour: Fine white flour that provides structure and softness to the cupcakes.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cupcakes rise and creates a light, airy texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Unsalted Butter, Sugar: Classic combination that creates a rich, tender cake base with creamy sweetness.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and creates a tender crumb with slight tanginess.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, classic flavor depth to the cupcakes.
• Egg Whites: Contribute to the light and fluffy texture of the cake.
• Milk, Water: Help achieve the perfect cake consistency and moisture.

• Egg Yolks: Crucial for creating a smooth, rich pastry cream.
• Cornstarch, Sugar: Thickening agents that help create a stable pastry cream.
• Milk: Provides the liquid base for the pastry cream.
• Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture to both pastry cream and frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet frosting base.
• Caramel Sauce: Adds deep, rich flavor to the frosting.
• Shortening: Helps stabilize the frosting and create a smoother texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Used for caramelizing the cupcake topping.

Instructions for Making Creme Brûlée Cupcakes at Home

Step 1: Prepare Baking Workspace

Grab a cupcake pan and line with adorable paper liners. Preheat oven to a cozy 350°F.

Step 2: Create Cupcake Batter Base

• Sour cream
• Vanilla extract

Step 3: Incorporate Egg Whites

Gently fold egg whites into the mixture in two gentle waves, scraping bowl sides between additions.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

In a small cup, mix milk and water.

Step 5: Merge Wet and Dry Ingredients

Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk mixture to batter, stirring smoothly after each addition.

Step 6: Bake Cupcake Shells

Fill liners halfway and bake for 15-17 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean. Cool on wire rack.

Step 7: Craft Silky Pastry Cream

• Sugar
• Cornstarch
• Milk

Gently temper egg yolks by slowly adding hot mixture. Cook until thickened.

Step 8: Whip Decadent Frosting

• Butter
• Shortening
• Powdered sugar
• Caramel sauce

Adjust consistency with water or milk.

Step 9: Assemble Cupcake Masterpiece

Core cupcake centers and fill with pastry cream. Pipe frosting in elegant dome shape.

Step 10: Caramelize Sugar Topping

Coat frosted cupcakes in sugar. Refrigerate until firm.

Step 11: Create Brûlée Finish

Use kitchen torch to caramelize sugar top until golden and crispy.

Step 12: Serve and Enjoy

Refrigerate until serving. Best enjoyed cool and fresh.

Tips for the Custard and Sugar Topping

• Cream Butter Perfectly: Ensure butter is at room temperature for smooth, fluffy mixing that creates a tender cupcake crumb.
• Separate Eggs Carefully: Crack egg whites into a clean bowl without any yolk traces to guarantee a light, airy cupcake texture.
• Control Pastry Cream Consistency: Stir continuously while cooking to prevent lumps and achieve a silky, smooth filling.
• Torch Sugar Strategically: Move the kitchen torch constantly to prevent burning and create an even, golden caramelized top.
• Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate cupcakes briefly to help frosting set and enhance the contrast between crisp caramel and creamy interior.

Storage and Reheating Advice for Creme Brûlée Cupcakes

• Refrigeration: Store completed Creme Brûlée Cupcakes in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Protect the delicate caramelized sugar top from moisture to maintain its crisp texture.
• Freezing: Wrap unfrosted cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before adding frosting and caramelizing sugar.
• Reheating: Gently warm cupcakes at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to prevent soggy texture and melting of the caramelized sugar topping. Restore the crisp sugar layer using a kitchen torch just before serving for the best sensory experience.

Desserts and Drinks That Pair with These Cupcakes

• Pair with Sweet Sipping Companions: Match these decadent cupcakes with a chilled glass of moscato d'asti or a creamy Irish cream liqueur to complement the caramelized sugar and rich pastry cream.
• Contrast with Bitter-Sweet Beverages: Serve alongside a robust espresso or dark roast coffee to cut through the sweetness and enhance the cupcake's complex flavor profile.
• Create a Dessert Wine Experience: Enjoy with a late harvest riesling or a sauternes, which will echo the caramel notes and provide a luxurious dessert pairing that elevates the creme brûlée cupcake's sophisticated taste.
• Balance with Aromatic Tea: Brew a cup of Earl Grey or vanilla chai tea to harmonize with the cupcake's creamy texture and add a subtle spicy undertone to the overall dessert experience.

Custom Ideas for Creme Brûlée Cupcake Fans

• Tropical Paradise Cupcakes: Incorporate shredded coconut into the batter and replace vanilla extract with coconut extract for a tropical flavor profile.
• Chocolate Lover's Dream: Add cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and fill the cupcake center with chocolate pastry cream instead of traditional vanilla.
• Salted Caramel Sensation: Mix sea salt into the frosting and drizzle additional caramel sauce over the caramelized sugar topping for extra depth of flavor.
• Bourbon Vanilla Indulgence: Swap vanilla extract for bourbon-infused vanilla and add a splash of bourbon to the pastry cream for a sophisticated adult version of the cupcake.

Creme Brle Cupcakes Recipe

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4.7 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

French-inspired creme brûlée cupcakes elevate classic dessert expectations with silky custard centers and caramelized sugar tops. Delicate vanilla cake layers promise elegant indulgence that delights pastry enthusiasts seeking sophisticated sweetness.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vanilla Cupcakes:

Main Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups (163 grams) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cups (155 grams) sugar
• 3 large egg whites, room temperature

Dairy Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons (84 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 6 tablespoons (86 grams) sour cream, room temperature
• 6 tablespoons (90 milliliters) milk, room temperature

Flavor and Leavening Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) water

Pastry Cream Filling:

Main Ingredients:

• 2 egg yolks
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk

Sweeteners and Thickeners:

• 6 tablespoons (78 grams) sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch

Flavor Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (14 grams) salted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Caramel Frosting:

Fat Ingredients:

• ½ cup (112 grams) salted butter
• ½ cup (95 grams) shortening

Sweeteners and Flavor Ingredients:

• 4 cups (460 grams) powdered sugar
• ¼ cup (52 grams) sugar
• 3–4 tablespoons caramel sauce
• 2-3

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by setting the temperature to 350°F and positioning cupcake liners inside the pan.
2. Create a luxurious base by whipping butter and sugar until they transform into a cloud-like, airy mixture.
3. Incorporate sour cream and vanilla essence, ensuring smooth and thorough integration.
4. Introduce egg whites gradually, folding them into the batter with precision and careful mixing.
5. Separately combine flour, baking powder, and salt while blending milk and water in a separate container.
6. Alternate adding dry ingredients and liquid mixture to the batter, mixing gently to maintain a silky texture.
7. Distribute batter evenly into cupcake liners, filling each halfway, and bake until a clean toothpick emerges.
8. Allow cupcakes to rest briefly before transferring to a cooling rack.
9. Prepare pastry cream by gently beating egg yolks and setting aside.
10. Develop a creamy base in a saucepan by heating sugar, cornstarch, and milk until thickening occurs.
11. Carefully temper egg yolks by introducing a small amount of hot milk mixture, then fully integrate.
12. Continue cooking the mixture, stirring consistently to achieve perfect consistency.
13. Enhance pastry cream with butter and vanilla, then allow to cool to room temperature.
14. Craft frosting by blending butter and shortening until smooth and uniform.
15. Gradually introduce powdered sugar and caramel sauce, adjusting consistency as needed.
16. Excavate the center of each cupcake using a corer or knife.
17. Generously fill the cupcake cavities with prepared pastry cream.
18. Employ a piping technique to create elegant, domed frosting peaks.
19. Delicately coat frosted surfaces with a layer of granulated sugar.
20. Chill cupcakes to firm the frosting, then utilize a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar topping.
21. Refrigerate until serving, ensuring optimal temperature and texture.

Notes

• Precise measurement and room temperature ingredients are crucial for achieving the perfect cupcake texture and consistency.
• Tempering egg yolks carefully prevents scrambling and ensures a smooth, silky pastry cream.
• Cooling the pastry cream completely before filling prevents soggy cupcake bottoms and maintains structural integrity.
• Use a kitchen torch carefully and evenly to create that classic caramelized sugar crunch without burning.
• Refrigerate cupcakes to set the frosting and maintain the delicate layers of flavor and texture.
• Serve within 24 hours for the best taste and presentation, as the caramelized sugar can soften over time.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 46g
• Sodium: 190mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 61g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 60mg