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Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée Cupcakes

Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée Cupcakes - featured image

These Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée Cupcakes combine the rich, creamy decadence of crème brûlée with the fluffy sweetness of vanilla cake, topped with caramelized sugar for a stunning dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (180g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste (or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean)
  • ½ cup (120ml) milk, room temperature
  • ¾ cup (180ml) heavy cream
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar (for topping)
  • Optional: fresh berries for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  2. In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy and pale. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla bean paste. Gradually add the dry ingredients, alternating with the milk, and mix until just combined.
  3. Divide the batter evenly into the liners, filling each about ¾ full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
  4. In a saucepan, heat heavy cream until just simmering. In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla bean paste. Slowly pour the hot cream into the egg mixture, whisking continuously. Return to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring, until thickened. Let cool completely.
  5. Use a paring knife or cupcake corer to remove the center of each cupcake. Fill the cavity with the cooled custard using a piping bag.
  6. Sprinkle a thin layer of sugar on top of each cupcake. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until golden and crisp. If broiling, place cupcakes under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye to avoid burning.
  7. Optional: Garnish with fresh berries or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for extra flair.

Notes

Ensure ingredients are at room temperature for a smooth batter. Cook custard slowly over low heat to avoid curdling. Torch sugar topping just before serving for the best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Vanilla Bean, Crème Brûlée, Cupcakes, Dessert, Baking, Elegant, French