Dreamy Elegant Creme Brulee Cupcakes Recipe for Sweet Fans

Creamy and decadent, these elegant creme brulee cupcakes blend classic French dessert techniques with a modern twist.

Soft vanilla cake cups cradle a luscious custard filling that melts in your mouth.

The caramelized sugar topping adds a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the silky smooth interior.

Each bite promises a luxurious experience that elevates the humble cupcake to a gourmet treat.

The recipe combines simplicity with elegance, making it perfect for special occasions or a weekend indulgence.

Prepare to impress your guests with these showstopping cupcakes that turn an ordinary moment into a memorable culinary celebration.

Creme Brulee Cupcakes Ingredient Checklist

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and tender crumb for delicate cupcakes.
• Baking Powder: Helps cupcakes rise and creates light, airy texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Creates rich, smooth foundation with creamy consistency.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with golden browning.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide rich, silky texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Delivers deep, aromatic flavor profile.
• Milk: Adds moisture and softens cake's texture.

• Egg Yolks: Creates luxurious, smooth custard base.
• Cornstarch: Thickens custard and prevents curdling.
• Milk: Forms creamy, silky custard foundation.

• Granulated Sugar: Creates crispy, caramelized golden crust.

Tools That Help Torch, Top, and Bake These Beauties

• Muffin Tin: 12-cup standard size for baking cupcakes.
• Cupcake Liners: Prevent sticking and make serving easier.
• Mixing Bowls: Two medium-sized for dry and wet ingredients.
• Whisk: Essential for blending ingredients smoothly.
• Electric Mixer: Helps cream butter and sugar perfectly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise ingredient measurements.
• Saucepans: Two small pans for heating milk and making custard.
• Piping Bag: For filling cupcakes with smooth custard.
• Kitchen Torch: Creates the signature crispy caramel topping.
• Knife or Cupcake Corer: Removes cupcake centers for filling.
• Cooling Rack: Allows cupcakes to cool evenly.
• Toothpick: Tests cupcake doneness.

How to Make Creme Brulee Cupcakes That Crack and Cream

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F and grab your muffin tin. Dress it up with pretty paper liners.

• Create Cupcake Base

Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a mixing bowl. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until cloud-like and fluffy. Drop in eggs one by one, stirring in vanilla. Gently fold dry ingredients and milk into the mixture, blending until smooth.

• Bake Cupcake Shells

Pour batter evenly into liners. Slide the tin into the oven and bake for 18-22 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick – it should come out clean. Let cupcakes cool completely.

• Craft Silky Custard

Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch in a saucepan until totally smooth. Warm milk in another pan. Slowly stream warm milk into egg mixture, stirring constantly. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously until thickened. Pull off heat, mix in vanilla and butter. Cool completely.

• Transform Cupcakes

Carve out cupcake centers using a knife. Pipe luxurious custard into each hollow cupcake.

• Caramelize Topping

Sprinkle sugar across cupcake tops. Use a kitchen torch to transform sugar into a crackling golden crust.

• Serve Immediately

Enjoy these decadent treats right away to savor the crispy caramel layer!

Adjust the Filling or Add Some Zest

• Cupcake Perfection Tricks: Simple techniques to elevate your crème brûlée cupcakes to bakery-level deliciousness.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare custard filling and cupcake bases a day ahead, storing separately in airtight containers to maintain freshness and save time on serving day.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap whole milk with coconut milk or almond milk, using plant-based butter alternatives to create a delectable lactose-free version that doesn't compromise on flavor.
• Torch-Free Caramelizing: No kitchen torch? Use your oven's broiler setting, placing cupcakes 2-3 inches from heat source and watching carefully to prevent burning, rotating for even caramelization.
• Flavor Twist Options: Experiment with infusing custard filling by adding lavender, espresso, or orange zest for unexpected and sophisticated flavor profiles that complement the classic vanilla base.

Serve With a Fancy Touch or Casual Treat

• Sweet Dessert Companion: Pair these cupcakes with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a delightful temperature contrast and creamy complement.
• Elegant Beverage Match: Serve alongside a light espresso or cappuccino to enhance the rich custard and caramel notes of the dessert.
• Presentation Perfection: Dust the plate with powdered sugar and arrange cupcakes on a beautiful white ceramic platter to elevate the visual appeal and create a restaurant-style experience.
• Party Platter Idea: Create a mini dessert buffet by arranging these cupcakes with other bite-sized sweets like mini fruit tarts or chocolate truffles for a stunning dessert spread.

Store in the Fridge for That Chilled Crunch

• Quick Chilling Strategy: Cool cupcakes completely on a wire rack for even air circulation, preventing soggy bottoms and maintaining crisp texture.
• Refrigeration Guidelines: Store filled cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping them refrigerated to maintain custard's freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cupcake bases and custard filling separately up to 2 days in advance, assembling just before serving to keep caramel topping perfectly crisp.
• Smart Freezing Technique: Freeze unfilled cupcake bases wrapped individually in plastic wrap for up to 1 month, thawing at room temperature before filling and finishing with caramel topping.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 270 kcal

Servings: 12

Elegant Creme Brulee Cupcakes Recipe

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• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Delectable creme brulee cupcakes blend French pastry elegance with classic American cupcake charm. Caramelized sugar tops creamy vanilla custard, offering you a delightful culinary experience in each luxurious bite.

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Ingredients

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• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ tsps baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp butter
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line muffin tin with decorative paper liners.
2. Dry Ingredients: Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, creating a uniform mixture.
3. Butter Mixture: Cream butter and sugar until achieving a light, airy consistency with a pale, velvety texture.
4. Egg Integration: Whisk eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, blending thoroughly with vanilla extract to enhance flavor profile.
5. Batter Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients and milk into the mixture, stirring minimally to preserve a delicate crumb.
6. Cupcake Preparation: Fill cupcake liners three-quarters full, ensuring even distribution of batter.
7. Baking Process: Bake for 18-22 minutes, verifying doneness with a clean toothpick test, then cool completely on a wire rack.
8. Custard Creation: Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth, then gradually incorporate warm milk while stirring continuously.
9. Custard Refinement: Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens to a luxurious consistency, then remove from heat and enrich with vanilla and butter.
10. Filling Technique: Use a piping bag to inject custard into cupcake centers, creating a surprise filling within each delicate cake.
11. Caramelization Finale: Sprinkle a gossamer layer of sugar across the surface and use a kitchen torch to transform the top into a glistening, crackling caramel crown.
12. Serving Suggestion: Present immediately to showcase the dramatic contrast between the tender cupcake and its crisp, golden topping.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients and milk to maintain a light, tender cupcake texture, avoiding tough results from excessive stirring.
• Precision in Tempering: Slowly add warm milk to egg mixture while constantly whisking to prevent scrambling and ensure a smooth, silky custard base.
• Master Sugar Caramelization: Use a kitchen torch with steady, even movements to create a perfect golden-brown caramel top without burning the sugar.
• Cooling is Crucial: Allow cupcakes and custard to cool completely before filling and topping to maintain structural integrity and optimal flavor development.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg