Irresistible Crème Brûlée Cookies: A Cozy Indulgence
There’s something so magical about the holiday season, isn’t there? The air turns crisp, the days grow shorter, and you can smell the rich aromas wafting from the kitchen as you prepare for gatherings with loved ones. In those moments, I love to reminisce about the simple joys of baking. One delectable treat that takes me back is crème brûlée — that creamy, caramelized classic that everyone adores. Now, imagine capturing all of that comforting sweetness in a cookie! These Irresistible Crème Brûlée Cookies blend warmth, nostalgia, and the delightful taste of that beloved dessert into perfect, tender bites.
Easy to whip up for friends and family, these cookies promise to be a showstopper at any holiday gathering or cozy evening at home. Trust me, this is one you’ll definitely want to pin for later!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Decadently Delicious – These cookies feature a rich, crème brûlée topping that contrasts beautifully with the soft cookie base.
- Quick and Cozy – Perfect for those busy holiday afternoons. Bake and indulge in just about 30 minutes!
- Crowd-Pleasing Treat – Wins over kids and adults alike, making them the star of any gathering.
- Easy to Make – Simple ingredients come together to create a delightful dessert that looks as good as it tastes.
- Versatile Flavors – Endless possibilities to customize make this a year-round favorite, ideal for any occasion.
What You’ll Need
Gather These Simple Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Let’s Make It Together
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. The smell of cookies baking will soon fill your home!
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, like a soft cloud.
- Add the vanilla extract and the large egg to the butter-sugar mixture, and continue to beat until well combined. Anticipate that warm, inviting scent!
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. The spices will dance together and fill the air with holiday cheer.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until the dough forms and everything is well incorporated.
- Shape the dough into small 1-inch balls and place them onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Use the back of a spoon or your fingers to gently flatten each dough ball into a thick disk, creating a lovely little base for our crème brûlée topping.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers have set. Watch them become perfectly puffy!
- Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cookies are cooling, prepare the crème brûlée topping by heating the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it begins to simmer.
- In a separate small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cornstarch, then slowly add this mixture to the simmering heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming.
- Continue to cook the cream mixture over medium heat for another 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens slightly. This will become an indulgently creamy topping you won’t be able to resist!
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool for a few minutes to avoid melting our precious cookies.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, spoon a small amount of the crème brûlée mixture onto each cookie.
- Place the cookies under the broiler in your oven for 1 to 2 minutes, keeping a close eye on them, until the crème brûlée topping turns golden and caramelized. This is when the magic happens!
- Remove the cookies from the oven and allow the caramelized topping to cool and set before serving.
Variations & Creative Twists
- Zesty Citrus – Add a teaspoon of orange or lemon zest to the dough for a refreshing twist that brightens up the flavor.
- Nutty Crunch – Incorporate chopped toasted pecans or walnuts into the dough for a delightful crunchy texture.
- Chocolate Drizzle – For those chocolate lovers, melt some semi-sweet chocolate and drizzle it over the cooled cookies before serving.
- Spiced Pumpkin – Substitute ½ cup of pumpkin puree for half the butter for a fall-inspired treat bursting with cozy flavors.
Chef Emma’s Helpful Tips
- Make-Ahead Magic – Prepare the dough a day in advance and keep it refrigerated. Then just shape and bake when you’re ready!
- Ingredient Swaps – If you’re out of heavy cream, whole milk works in a pinch, but it might not thicken as nicely.
- Storage Suggestions – Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. However, I doubt they’ll last that long!
- Perfecting the Topping – If you have a culinary torch, use it to carefully caramelize the crème brûlée topping for a restaurant-quality finish.
Nutrition Information per Serving
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Sugar: 10g
- Fat: 8g
- Protein: 2g
- Sodium: 80mg
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Can I make this ahead?
Yes! Prepare the cookie dough ahead of time, refrigerate it, and bake fresh cookies whenever you want. -
Can I use different ingredients?
Absolutely! You can try different flavorings or add-ins, like chocolate chips or nuts. -
How do I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. -
How long does it last?
Enjoy these cookies fresh for the best flavor, but they can be stored for up to 3 days.
Wrapping It Up
These Irresistible Crème Brûlée Cookies truly encapsulate the essence of the holidays — warmth, sweetness, and the delightful feeling of being gathered with loved ones. Whether you’re sharing them at a festive gathering or enjoying them with a warm cup of cocoa on a chilly evening, they are sure to create cherished memories. Save this Irresistible Crème Brûlée Cookies recipe to your cozy treats board so it’s ready when you need a comforting indulgence!
Irresistible Crème Brûlée Cookies
Ingredients
Cookie Base
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Crème Brûlée Topping
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla extract and the egg to the butter-sugar mixture, and beat until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until the dough forms.
- Shape the dough into small 1-inch balls and place them onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Flatten each dough ball into a thick disk using the back of a spoon.
Baking
- Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are golden and centers have set.
Crème Brûlée Topping
- Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
- In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar and cornstarch, then slowly add this to the simmering cream while whisking.
- Continue to cook over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Final Assembly
- Spoon a small amount of the crème brûlée mixture onto each cooled cookie.
- Broil under the oven for 1 to 2 minutes until the topping is golden and caramelized.
- Allow the caramelized topping to cool and set before serving.
