Crème Brûlée Shortbread Cookies (Printable)

Buttery cookies with vanilla custard and crisp caramelized sugar topping

# What You'll Need:

→ Shortbread Base

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
02 - 2/3 cup powdered sugar
03 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
04 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Crème Brûlée Custard

06 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1/4 cup heavy cream
08 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract
09 - 2 large egg yolks

→ Caramelized Sugar Finish

10 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar for sprinkling and torching

# Steps:

01 - Cream together butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl until smooth and fluffy. Beat in vanilla extract.
02 - Sift flour and salt into the butter mixture. Mix until just combined and a dough forms.
03 - Divide dough in half and shape into logs about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
04 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
05 - Slice chilled dough into 1/2-inch thick rounds and place on prepared sheets. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes until edges just begin to turn golden. Cool completely.
06 - Whisk egg yolks, sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely.
07 - Spoon a small amount of cooled custard onto the center of each cookie. Sprinkle a thin layer of granulated sugar over the custard and use a kitchen torch to caramelize until golden and crisp. Let set for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crisp caramelized shell against the tender shortbread creates the most incredible texture contrast
  • They look like something from a French bakery but come together with surprisingly simple techniques
02 -
  • The custard must be completely cool before spooning it onto the cookies, or it will melt right through the shortbread
  • Work quickly once you start torching, as the caramelized sugar hardens fast and you want that fresh crackle
03 -
  • Turbinado sugar creates an even crunchier caramelized top with deeper flavor notes
  • If you don't have a kitchen torch, you can broil the cookies for 30-60 seconds, but watch them like a hawk

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