Print

Crème Brûlée Heart Donuts

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Crème Brûlée Heart Donuts combine two classic desserts into one irresistible treat: the rich, creamy texture of crème brûlée and the comforting sweetness of fresh, fluffy donuts. Shaped like hearts for a touch of romance, these donuts are perfect for celebrating special occasions like Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or simply indulging in a decadent dessert. The crispy caramelized sugar topping provides a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the velvety vanilla custard filling inside. These donuts are not only delicious but visually stunning, making them an ideal dessert to impress your loved ones.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Donut Dough:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet active dry yeast
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Oil, for frying

For the Crème Brûlée Custard Filling:

  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

For the Caramelized Sugar Topping:

  • ½ cup granulated sugar (for brûléeing)

Instructions

Prepare the Donut Dough:

  1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, warm the milk to about 110°F (43°C). Sprinkle the yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar over the milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, the remaining sugar, salt, melted butter, eggs, and the yeast mixture. Stir until the dough comes together.
  3. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
  4. Let the Dough Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.

Make the Crème Brûlée Custard:

  1. Heat the Cream and Milk: In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream and whole milk. Heat over medium heat until it begins to simmer, then remove from heat.
  2. Whisk the Egg Yolks and Sugar: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and a pinch of salt until smooth and slightly thickened.
  3. Temper the Eggs: Gradually pour the hot cream mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
  4. Cook the Custard: Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and reaches a custard-like consistency. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Add Vanilla: Once thickened, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let the custard cool, then transfer it to a bowl and refrigerate to chill for at least 30 minutes.

Fry the Donuts:

  1. Shape the Donuts: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface to about ½ inch thick. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the donut shapes.
  2. Heat the Oil: In a large pot or deep fryer, heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Carefully fry the donuts in batches, about 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown.
  3. Drain the Donuts: Use a slotted spoon to remove the donuts from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Assemble the Donuts:

  1. Fill the Donuts: Once the donuts have cooled slightly, use a piping bag or a spoon to fill the center of each heart-shaped donut with the chilled crème brûlée custard.
  2. Caramelize the Sugar: Sprinkle a thin layer of granulated sugar on top of each filled donut. Using a kitchen torch, carefully caramelize the sugar until it forms a crispy, golden-brown crust.

Serve and Enjoy:

  1. Serve: Allow the caramelized sugar to cool slightly before serving. The crispy sugar topping should remain crunchy while the inside stays rich and creamy.

Equipment

Nutrition

Find it online: https://succulentrecipes.com/creme-brulee-heart-donuts/