Why You’ll Love Dreams Creme Brulee Recipe
This Dreams Creme Brulee recipe brings together the best of two desserts: the comforting texture of fried dough and the luscious creaminess of custard finished with caramelization. The result is both impressive and deeply satisfying, perfect for special occasions or decadent weekend baking.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Dough:
all-purpose flour
active dry yeast
sugar
eggs
butter at room temperature
milk
alcoholic liqueur (optional)
salt
Cream filling:
milk
egg yolks
sugar
cornstarch
vanilla extract
salt
white chocolate
butter at room temperature
Caramel topping:
sugar
water
Directions
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Make the dough: In a stand mixer bowl, combine all dough ingredients and knead on low‑medium speed until smooth and slightly sticky. Cover and let rise until doubled in size.
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Prepare the cream: Whisk together egg yolks, cornstarch, vanilla, and sugar. Heat milk in a saucepan, then pour hot milk into the yolk mixture and whisk immediately. Return to the saucepan and stir until thickened. Remove from heat, add butter and white chocolate, and mix until combined. Chill in the refrigerator.
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Shape and fry: Divide the risen dough into balls, let rise again, and then fry in oil until golden.
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Fill: Once cooled slightly, pipe the cream into each fried dough ball.
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Caramelize: In a saucepan, heat sugar and water until caramel forms. Dip each filled dough ball into the caramel, shake off excess, and let cool.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes approximately 12–15 dreams, depending on the size of the dough balls you form. Preparation and rising time together take about 3–4 hours, including dough proofs and chilling the custard, with about 30–45 minutes of active hands‑on time.
Variations
• Chocolate dreams: Add cocoa powder to the dough for a chocolate twist.
• Citrus cream: Infuse the cream with lemon or orange zest for a bright flavor.
• Spiced caramel: Stir a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom into the caramel for a warm spice note.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover filled dreams in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days. To refresh the caramel shell, briefly warm in a low oven (about 150 °C / 300 °F) for 5–7 minutes before serving.
FAQs
What are Dreams Creme Brulee?
Dreams Creme Brulee are fried dough balls filled with a vanilla‑flavored cream custard and coated in a caramelized sugar topping.
Can I make the cream ahead of time?
Yes, prepare the custard up to a day ahead and keep it chilled until you’re ready to fill the dough.
Do I need special equipment?
You’ll need a stand or hand mixer for the dough and a deep pot or fryer for frying the dough balls.
What oil is best for frying?
Neutral oils with a high smoke point like canola or sunflower oil work well.
How do I know the dough is properly risen?
It should roughly double in size and look puffy.
Can I bake instead of fry?
Baking will change the texture; these are traditionally fried for the signature exterior.
Is the caramel topping necessary?
The caramel adds the classic crunchy contrast, but you could dust with sugar instead if preferred.
Can I freeze the filled dreams?
It’s best to freeze unfilled dough balls; fill after thawing for best texture.
How sweet is the cream filling?
It’s moderately sweet to balance the caramel coating and dough.
Can children help make this?
Children can assist with mixing and shaping dough, but adult supervision is needed for frying and caramel work.
Conclusion
Dreams Creme Brulee is an indulgent dessert that elevates simple dough and cream into a memorable sweet treat with layered textures and flavors. Whether for a special occasion or a weekend baking adventure, this recipe delivers rich custard, crisp caramel, and irresistible dough in every bite.
Dreams Creme Brulee
This Dreams Crème Brûlée is a rich and creamy classic French dessert featuring a smooth vanilla custard base topped with a crisp layer of caramelized sugar. Simple to make with only a few ingredients, it’s an elegant treat perfect for any special occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours (includes chilling time)
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- Additional granulated sugar for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
- In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream and vanilla extract over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar until well blended and slightly thickened.
- Slowly pour the warm cream into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from curdling.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a large measuring cup or bowl for easy pouring.
- Divide the custard mixture evenly among 4 to 6 ramekins.
- Place the ramekins in a baking dish and fill the dish with hot water halfway up the sides of the ramekins (water bath).
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the custards are set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
- Remove ramekins from the water bath and cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- When ready to serve, sprinkle a thin, even layer of granulated sugar on top of each custard.
- Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar until golden and crisp. Alternatively, place under a broiler to melt the sugar.
- Let the caramelized tops cool for a minute before serving.
Notes
- Be careful not to overheat the cream to avoid curdling the eggs.
- For best results, use a kitchen torch for the topping.
- You can infuse the cream with other flavors like citrus zest or espresso.
- Chill the custard thoroughly before adding the sugar topping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ramekin (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 210mg
