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These Creme Brûlée Cupcakes are made with a moist vanilla cupcake and pastry cream filling, then topped with caramel frosting and a caramelized sugar top! They’re fun & absolutely delicious!
Creme Brûlée Cupcakes Recipe
So after wanting to get my hair cut for several weeks now, I finally went and got it cut on Saturday morning. I’m the kinda gal that doesn’t get her hair cut super often. I normally wait until it’s so long (for me) that I can’t take it anymore and then several weeks later I finally show up somewhere begging for an open spot to get it all chopped off.
I planned a bit ahead last week and called Friday evening for a Saturday appointment. 😉 Of course at that point, the only appointment remaining was at 8:30am. I debated waiting longer still for a cut, but went ahead and took the early appointment. I was definitely the first customer there that day.
Being early, it was nice and quiet and I thought for a second I might fall asleep. I’m very good at falling asleep when people are playing with my hair – I’ve even fallen asleep at the dentist before. It’s a talent. When my stylist was pretty much done cutting, he started drying my hair and as he did he said, “You have the healthiest hair, good job! It’s so healthy, I could date it!” HA! Not exactly the kind of thing I’d think of regarding hair, but we’ve all got our thing. 😉 At least I know waiting to cut it doesn’t seem to hurt it.
And while these cupcakes might not necessarily be described as healthy, I would certainly date one or two of them. Dating baked goods would definitely be my thing. 😉
How to Make Creme Brûlée Cupcakes
These cupcakes are so stinking good! To get started, I used one my favorite vanilla cupcake bases. They are fluffy, soft and super moist. They use the creaming method so as usual, I’ll encourage you to be sure to fully cream the butter and sugar. It’s super important for the ultimate fluff factor!
The filling is your classic vanilla pastry cream. I could totally eat it by itself with a spoon. Pastry cream is fairly similar to actual creme brûlée. Similar ingredients, but cooking it over the stove as opposed to in the oven. In the case of these cupcakes, it’s the perfect method for creating our filling.
On top of the cupcakes is a delicious caramel frosting! When you cook sugar, you get caramel and since creme brûlée has caramelized sugar on top, I thought a light caramel frosting would be the perfect compliment!
To frost the cupcakes, I used my large round tip, the Ateco 808. It’s nice and big and I love it. You hold the tip over the top of the cupcake, perpendicular to it and squeeze out the frosting until it spreads out to the edges. Then slowly lift the piping bag as you continue to pipe so that you create a nice dome shape.
Once the cupcake is frosted, turn it over and dip it into some sugar. Next is torching the sugar with a lovely little kitchen torch. Arguably the most fun part of making these cupcakes. 🙂 I found that I got a better result with the caramelized sugar if I refrigerated the cupcakes for 30 minutes for so first. The frosting gets cold and firm that way and doesn’t melt when you torch the sugar on top.
When you’re done, take a big bite and enjoy your hard work! You deserve it! 🙂
PrintCreme Brûlée Cupcakes
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
- Yield: 12-14 Cupcakes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Creme Brûlée Cupcakes are made with a moist vanilla cupcake & pastry cream filling, then topped with caramel frosting + a caramelized sugar top!
Ingredients
VANILLA CUPCAKES
- 6 tbsp (84g), unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cups (155g) sugar
- 6 tbsp (86g) sour cream, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 large egg whites, room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups (163g) all purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 6 tbsp (90ml) milk, room temperature
- 2 tbsp (30ml) water, room temperature
PASTRY CREAM FILLING
- 2 egg yolks
- 6 tbsp (78g) sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 cup (240ml) milk
- 1 tbsp (14g) salted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
CARAMEL FROSTING
- 1/2 cup (112g) salted butter
- 1/2 cup (95g) shortening
- 4 cups (460g) powdered sugar
- 3–4 tbsp caramel sauce
- 2–3 tbsp water or milk
- 1/4 cup (52g) sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C) and prepare a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light in color and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Do not skimp on the amount of creaming time.
3. Add sour cream and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
4. Add egg whites in two batches, mixing until well combined after each. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to be sure all ingredients are well incorporated.
5. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then combine the milk and water in a small measuring cup.
6. Add half of the dry ingredients to the batter and mix until well combined. Add the milk mixture and mix until well combined. Add remaining dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to be sure all ingredients are well incorporated.
7. Fill the cupcake liners about halfway. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few crumbs.
8. Remove cupcakes from oven and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes, then remove to cooling rack to finish cooling.
9. While the cupcakes cool, make the pastry cream. Put the egg yolks in a medium sized bowl and gently beat them together. Set aside.
10. Add the sugar, cornstarch and milk to a large saucepan and mix until smooth.
11. Cook, stirring continuously, over medium-high heat until mixture begins to thicken and bubble.
12. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
13. Add a little bit of milk mixture to the egg yolks and whisk together, then add egg mixture to milk mixture. This process ensures that you don’t cook the egg yolks.
14. Place the pan back on the heat and bring to a light boil. Allow to boil for 2 minutes, stirring continuously.
15. Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth, then set aside to cool to room temperature.
16. To make the frosting, beat the butter and shortening together in a large mixer bowl until smooth.
17. Add about half of the powdered sugar and mix until smooth and well combined.
18. Add 3 tablespoons of caramel sauce and and mix until combined.
19. Add the remaining powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
20. Add additional caramel sauce and the water or milk, as needed, to get the right consistency frosting.
21. Use a cupcake corer or knife to remove the centers from the cupcakes, then fill them with the pastry cream.
22. Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes. I used Ateco tip 808 to create the dome of frosting.
23. Add the sugar to a small bowl and turn the cupcakes over and dip them into the sugar, one at a time.
24. Refrigerate the cupcakes until the frosting is cool and firm, about 30 minutes to an hour.
25. Use a butane kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar on top.
26. Refrigerate the cupcakes until ready to serve. Best served cool, but not cold.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Cupcake
- Calories: 466
- Sugar: 51.4 g
- Sodium: 144.2 mg
- Fat: 22.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Protein: 5.4 g
- Cholesterol: 64.5 mg
Filed Under:
Enjoy!
Pastry cream is similar to creme brulee? no, it’s not, at all!
Loved the recupe but the frosting measurements are off. I never added the 2nd 2 cups of powdered sugar because it was already way too sweet for us. But beautiful cupcakes.
The measurements aren’t off, it’s a pretty standard American buttercream recipe. That said, plenty of people prefer less powdered sugar. It just gives you less frosting and a thinner frosting if you reduce it. So it depends on your preference. Glad you were able to adjust as needed!
Perfection! Thank you for sharing your amazing recipes!
Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
The recipe makes too much frosting and pastry cream. I made five dozen cupcakes for an event and needed less than two batches of the icing and cream. You may want to rethink quantities to save money and eggs. However, my niece took home the cored bits and leftover icing to make cake pops.
I’ve made these several times and doing so again for my brother’s 50th. I have also tweaked the recipe and made lemon meringue cupcakes. Same base cupcake but used a lemon curd for filling and a meringue frosting that torched quite nicely.
So glad you’ve enjoyed them!
Will these be okay to refrigerate over night? I don’t want the caramelized sugar to get soggy/wet.
Thank you!
Sorry for the late reply. It’s been a while since I’ve made these, so I can’t remember exactly. I think it would soften a little bit but you could always toss a little more sugar on there and torch it again.
Do you know if these cupcakes can be put in the freezer?
I helped test this recipe for my friend’s wedding. It was a hit! I’ve come back to it several times since then – actually, I found that the ‘creme filling’ makes the best custard, so, with a few of my own tweaks, I’ve added it to my list of favourite recipes. Many thanks!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Love this recipe, but is there a video?
Not at this time.
I got rave reviews from my family! My uncle loves creme brûlée so I went for a twist on a classic! Said they were the best cupcakes he’s had in his life! Thank you!
Hi I love these cupcakes. Just wondering how long will they keep for in the fridge?
They should be fine for 3 to 4 days.
These were really good and a huge hit with my friends. I had a hard time piping the frosting though…any thoughts why? Thanks!
It may have just been a little too thick. Try adding a little bit more milk. So glad you enjoyed them!
I cannot wait to try this! Looks really lovely! Thank you for this 🙂
hank you for this great recipe!! I have your cookbook as well
Hi Lindsay! Thank you for this great recipe! I know cupcakes usually taste better at room temperature, but these ones should be stored in the fridge. How long will they last at room temperature in summer before the pastry cream filling goes bad? Thank you!
Yes, I mention in the recipe that they should be stored in the fridge but served cool as opposed to cold. I wouldn’t store them at room temperature. They should be fine sitting out for a few hours though.
most of your ingredients is sour cream, can I substitute this to BUTTERMILK
I haven’t tried that to be able to say for sure.
Hello, thank you for the great recipe. I was wondering could these be made the day before and stored? Would the carmelized sugar hold up? I’ve had issues with sugar literally melting on cupcakes when I did them the day before an event. Thanks so much!
Cindy
When moisture meets the firm caramelized sugar, it does soften. There’s really no way to avoid that. Unfortunately, making them a day ahead would mean softened sugar. You could make the cupcakes and frosting a day ahead though and add the caramelized sugar shortly before serving.
Hi Lindsay! I’ve commented on lots of your posts and made a ton of your recipes and they are always, consistently, so amazing! I have your cookbook as well and as someone who reads TONS of baking blogs yours is the one that I always know is going to give me a full proof recipe. So thank you! Anyway, I’m really commenting here to tell you that this cupcake is one of the best things I’ve ever made. It was a labor of love but I couldn’t believe how good it was! (And homemade pastry cream freaked me out at first but the result was WOW.) So thank you! (I posted my results on my Instagram, shizlb, and tagged you)
Just a random question: my husband’s birthday is Christmas Eve and I want to make him one of your cakes but can’t decide….do you have a favorite?
Hey Lindsay! Wow these little guys look so darn delicious 😀 Can’t wait to try out the recipe! Just wondering… HOW LONG does the hard, caramelized sugar last?? Does it melt over time?
It does soften a little bit with time from condensation and such. They should be fine for at least a few days though.
Just wondering if the caramel sauce is necessary for this? I don’t have any available but I was thinking of using pure maple syrup instead. Do you think that would taste good with this recipe?
I personally think the caramel sauce adds very nice flavor. Cooked sugar on top of crème brûlée technically is caramel, so it’s the appropriate flavor. You could use maple syrup though. That just wouldn’t be my personal flavor preference for these cupcakes.
Mandi,
If you do decide to use the Maple syrup instead of the caramel sauce, you could Brulée some Maple sugar (very easy and cheap to make yourself) on top instead of the white sugar. Just a suggestion, good luck, and let me know how they came out, I’m always looking for different flavor ideas.
I made this today with a green filling for St. Patrick’s day BUT I used 1/4 cup of coconut oil for the frosting and it wouldn’t hold up for browning. Lesson learned. I now know why th. shortening was necessary.
Bonjour Lindsay
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Vos pâtisseries sont magnifiques. Je vais essayer dès que possible . J’adore la crème brûlée et le résultat est vraiment parfait. Bravo et merci ????
Hi Lindsay,
Can this be made into a cake instead of a cupcake? Thanks in advance!
Yes, the cupcakes can be make into a cake, but you should probably double everything.
HI Linday,
I just made these cupcakes today and you’re right they’re so stinking good! I really love the texture of this cupcake so light, soft, moist and fluffy. So thank you for being so generous to share this fantastic recipe. Question for you do you a cake version for this cupcake? Please….. thanks again!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! I don’t have a cake version, but you could definitely double it and make a cake. Here’s an example where I made the layers as a cake.
Hi, will be trying this recipe out in some days and since I’ll be short for time during the week …I was wondering if the pastry cream filling and the frosting could be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator…if so for how long and what steps would I need to undertake once I take them out of the fridge?
Yes, they can be made ahead. The frosting should be fine for 1-2 weeks. The filling is best within 2-3 days, but would be fine for 3-4. You can use the filling straight out of the fridge – just give it a stir. The frosting will need to come back to room temperature and you’ll want to give it a stir as well.
I love the look of these. Creme Brulee is one of my favorite desserts, and this recipe seems like an awesome new way to enjoy it!
This is my first time posting…???? The cupcake and frosting are absolutely divine… LOVE the texture of the cupcake and the flavour of the frosting. I have not tried the filling this time, but will soon. Thank you for this delicious concoction????
I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
I don’t have a stand mixer, will a regular mixer work? Thanks!
Yes, that’ll be fine.
Do you whisk your egg whites and fold them in? Or use them in a liquid form?
No, I just add them in.
What the Creme Brulee’ is happening here Lindsay?? !!!! Giiiirrrrllll Wow !!!! I’m so excited to make and taste these cupcakes as Creme Brulee’ is my favorite dessert, I became allergic to the Big C (Yes Chocolate) when I was 23 yrs. old and you dont realize how very little desserts there are that don’t have chocolate in them so you really have to work hard to find great tasting treats. Creme Brulee’ is one that’s very simplistic as far as ingredients but packs amazing flavor throughout. Thank You for creating a different way to enjoy this dessert with variety, I cant wait to check out all your recipes you go girl !!!!!!!!
I tend to share alot of recipes with my Family and Friends on FB, please let me know if it’s ok to do so with your recipes. I always ask as a courtesy if it’s ok because some folks are just not ok with it, Thanks Again Hun I appreciate it. ???? Chris ????
I just wanted to say that all of your recipes that I tried are not only delicious but stunning too and turn out time after time compared to other sites.
I really appreciate the time and creativity you put into all of them, thank you. Can’t wait to make these later on today ????
So glad to hear that! Thanks Laila! I hope you enjoy these too!
how do you make the caramel sauce?
I actually used a store bought sauce. You could certainly make one though. Here’s my favorite.
Made these this weekend, everyone who tried them sere amazed! I followed the directions about setting in fridge for 30 minutes prior tontorching them, but still ran i to the frosting melting slightly. What is your trick!!
I’m glad you enjoyed them! You just have to be a little careful with the torch. You can kind of torch some parts of sugar and then stop for a second and then torch the rest so that you’re not just blowing heat on them constantly for too long.
OMG 8:30 am hair appointment, that’s a commitment. But at least you have something new you can add to your resume- hair so healthy you could date it
Ha! Clearly a resume builder. 😉
Whoooaaa these look good. Also the SAME thing over here, I hadn’t had my hair cut in over a YEAR (!!) and I just got it done last week. I feel so much better! I want to date my own hair now! Haha.
Thanks Karen! And doesn’t it just feel so healthy now?! Love it! 🙂
hey girl- these look so yummy!
These look fantastic! I am totally making these soon! Thanks so much for the delicious recipes!
I cannot wait to try these! Can you see any problem with an all butter buttercream? I never use shortening unless a cake will be outside in the Texas summer heat. Thanks for sharing!
I don’t think that’d be an issue. The only thing is to make sure the frosting is nice and firm before torching. The all butter frosting would melt more easily than the half butter, half shortening.
this recipes just keep getting better and better!!
how do u do it?
These lovelies are too good to be true!
What!! I can’t wait to try these. Awesome!!!!
These sound delicious! I don’t have a kitchen torch, though. Could they be broiled in the oven for a couple of minutes?
You could try it, but I’m not sure that it’d apply enough heat quickly enough to caramelize the sugar though.
It works for actual creme brûlée as long as you have the rack all the way at the top and the broiler on high. You’d definitely want keep an eye on them.
You could also make caramel, carefully pour it onto a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat to cool/harden, and once cooled/hardened put into a food processor and pulse until very fine for a caramel sugar. You can then dip the cupcakes into the caramel sugar and leave it at that or even put them under the broiler to get that extra flavor and lovely appearance.
This recipe looks amazing, I will definitely be giving this a try.