1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Crème Brûlée Donuts

Silky Crème Brûlée Donuts

Featured in Sweet Treats to Satisfy Any Craving.

Whip up light donuts, pack them with velvety custard, and glaze them with caramel for an effortless twist on crème brûlée.
Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
Barbara Chef
Updated on Sun, 13 Apr 2025 21:03:42 GMT
Airy donuts bursting with smooth custard and topped with an irresistible caramel crunch, inspired by crème brûlée. Pin it
Airy donuts bursting with smooth custard and topped with an irresistible caramel crunch, inspired by crème brûlée. | cookwithcarla.com

Turn basic donuts into a fancy French treat with these Crème Brûlée donuts. This clever mashup brings together fluffy Japanese-style tangzhong donuts and elegant French crème brûlée. Every mouthful gives you the perfect mix of crunchy sugar top, smooth custard filling, and super soft dough.

I came up with this when I was trying to copy an amazing dessert I had at a Paris bakery. After lots of testing, this version nailed the mix of textures and tastes that took me straight back to that cute French coffee shop.

Stellar Ingredients

  • Bread flour: The extra protein helps build the right dough structure
  • Fresh eggs: Eggs at room temp mix better into your custard
  • Quality vanilla: Real extract or vanilla bean makes everything taste better
  • Granulated sugar: Smaller crystals melt easier for smooth caramel
  • Unsalted butter: European-style gives richer flavor and better texture

Building Your Creation

Start The Tangzhong
  • Mix flour and milk until they become a thick, shiny paste that'll make your donuts super soft.
Mix The Dough
  • Work the dough until it's smooth as silk, adding butter halfway for that brioche feeling.
Let It Grow
  • Wait for dough to double, shape it, then let it rise again until nice and puffy.
Fry With Care
  • Keep oil at just the right heat for golden outsides and fluffy insides.
Mix The Filling
  • Make velvety custard by slowly adding hot milk to eggs without scrambling them.
Add The Wow Factor
  • Top with melted sugar for that signature cracky surface.
Luxurious donuts with creamy centers and brittle caramel tops, bringing together the best of donut and crème brûlée worlds. Pin it
Luxurious donuts with creamy centers and brittle caramel tops, bringing together the best of donut and crème brûlée worlds. | cookwithcarla.com

Caramel-making runs in my family. My aunt always told me to use my nose - when you catch that rich caramel smell, it's good to go.

Enjoy Them Fully

These fancy donuts go great with a shot of espresso or some thick hot chocolate. For fancy brunches, try them with a glass of bubbly.

Switch Things Up

Try playing with different custard flavors like matcha, coffee, or chocolate. You can also use brown sugars for the top layer to get different taste notes.

Storage Smarts

These taste best on the day you make them. If needed, keep the empty donuts at room temp and add the filling right before you serve them.

Pillowy donuts stuffed with creamy filling and topped with hardened sugar, capturing the true spirit of crème brûlée. Pin it
Pillowy donuts stuffed with creamy filling and topped with hardened sugar, capturing the true spirit of crème brûlée. | cookwithcarla.com

Since getting these donuts right, they've become my go-to for celebrations. The combo of that soft, custard-filled dough and the satisfying snap of sugar on top creates something truly special that sits between everyday comfort food and fancy pastry. Sure, they need some attention to detail, but you'll end up with donuts that could hang with anything from a real French bakery.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prepare these in advance?
Make the dough and custard ahead, but wait to fill and coat them until serving time.
→ What if I lack a Bismarck tip?
Try using a small piping tip or snip a tiny hole in your piping bag to add the filling.
→ How long do they stay fresh?
Eat the donuts right away. For later, keep them uncovered at room temperature briefly, so the caramel doesn’t lose its crunch.
→ Can I go with store-bought custard?
Sure, but homemade custard is fresher and tastes better.
→ What oil works best for frying?
Pick neutral-tasting oils like canola, vegetable, or sunflower oil.

Crème Brûlée Donuts

Soft, airy donuts filled with rich, creamy custard and finished with a crunchy caramel layer for a touch of elegance.

Prep Time
120 Minutes
Cook Time
60 Minutes
Total Time
180 Minutes

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Difficult

Cuisine: French-Style Sweet Treat

Yield: 12 Servings (12 to 14 donuts)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Dough Mix

01 4 tbsp milk (50g) mixed with 1 tbsp flour (10g), cooked until paste-like
02 180g (3/4 cup) milk
03 1 1/2 tsp yeast
04 400g (3 cups) plain flour
05 15g (2 tbsp) milk powder
06 50g (1/4 cup) granulated sugar
07 1 room-temp large egg
08 70g (5 tbsp) softened butter, divided in two portions
09 1/2 tsp salt

→ Filling (Custard)

10 2 large eggs
11 110g (1/2 cup) sugar
12 20g (2 tbsp) cornstarch
13 460g (2 cups) milk
14 1/2 tsp salt
15 1 tsp vanilla essence
16 2 tbsp butter

→ Caramel Topping

17 1 cup sugar
18 Pinch of salt
19 4 tbsp water

Instructions

Step 01

Mix milk and flour in a nonstick skillet. Stir on medium heat until you get a thick paste. Set it aside to cool.

Step 02

In a mixer bowl, combine the cooled starter paste, cold milk, and yeast. Let it rest for 5 minutes—it’ll start to foam.

Step 03

Put everything for the dough, except half of the butter, into the mixer. Using a dough hook, knead for 5 minutes. Add the rest of the butter and keep kneading for another 5–8 minutes, until you’ve got a stretchy, smooth dough.

Step 04

Cover the dough and leave it, letting it double in size—either for 1 hour at room temperature or overnight in the fridge.

Step 05

Roll the dough until it’s about 1/2-inch thick. Use a 4-inch cookie cutter to create circles. Put them on parchment paper and let rest for 30–45 minutes.

Step 06

Heat oil in a wok to 350°F (175°C). Fry each donut until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Move them to a wire rack to cool.

Step 07

Beat together eggs, sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Heat milk and vanilla in a pan until boiling. Slowly whisk the hot milk into the egg mix, then return everything to the pan. Stir over low heat until it thickens. Add butter, strain it, and chill for 15 minutes.

Step 08

Spoon the custard into a piping bag with a narrow tip. Poke a hole in each donut and pipe the filling in until the donut feels heavy.

Step 09

Heat the sugar, salt, and water in a pan on low. Don’t stir—just let it melt and turn a deep golden brown. Dip each donut’s top into the caramel.

Step 10

Once the caramel sets, dig in while it’s fresh! The texture and taste are better this way.

Notes

  1. Keep a candy thermometer handy. Caramel temp should hit 350°F/175°C.
  2. For crunchier caramel, don’t store the donuts covered.
  3. If your caramel hardens in the pan, warm it up gently before using.

Tools You'll Need

  • Mixer with dough hook attachment
  • Nonstick pan for cooking starter paste
  • Rolling pin for shaping
  • 4-inch round cutter
  • Piping bag fitted with a fine tip
  • Cooling rack for holding fried donuts

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Made with dairy products like milk and butter.
  • Can be adapted for gluten-free diets, but use certified safe ingredients.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 320
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • Protein: 6 g