Description
Delight in these Crème Brûlée Toasted Sugar Cookies, featuring a tender, buttery dough infused with toasted sugar for a deep caramel flavor. Each cookie is topped with smooth cream cheese frosting and a crispy caramelized sugar crust, mimicking the iconic crème brûlée dessert in cookie form. Perfect for gatherings or a luxurious treat any time.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients & Sugars
- 2 cups toasted sugar (divided)*
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
For Topping
- Cream cheese frosting (use your favorite recipe or store-bought)
- Remaining toasted sugar for caramelizing
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Toast Sugar: To toast the sugar, spread 2 cups on a baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden and aromatic. Allow to cool.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the unsalted butter and toasted sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes, incorporating air for texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop dough using a cookie scoop or spoon and place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft.
- Cool Completely: Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Frost Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread a layer of cream cheese frosting on each cookie.
- Caramelize Sugar Topping: Sprinkle a thin, even layer of the remaining toasted sugar on top of the frosting. Using a kitchen torch, carefully caramelize the sugar until it forms a crisp, golden crust resembling crème brûlée.
- Serve and Enjoy: Allow the caramelized sugar to harden for a minute before serving your luxurious Crème Brûlée Toasted Sugar Cookies.
Notes
- *To toast sugar: Spread sugar evenly on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, stirring halfway through for even toasting. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- You can use store-bought cream cheese frosting to save time or make your own for a fresh taste.
- Be cautious when caramelizing sugar with a torch—keep the flame moving to prevent burning.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- For a more pronounced crème brûlée flavor, try adding a teaspoon of vanilla bean paste instead of extract.
