Step 1: Prepare Your Cookie Dough

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
• Cream together the butter and sugar in a large bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Beat on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. This helps incorporate air into the dough, making the cookies tender.
• Add in the egg and beat until combined, then mix in the vanilla extract and almond extract. These will give the dough that signature crème brûlée flavor.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cornstarch. The cornstarch will help thicken the dough and give the cookies a soft, chewy texture.
• Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Don’t overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.

Step 3: Add the Cream and Brown Sugar

• Now for the crème brûlée magic! Add the heavy cream and brown sugar to the dough, stirring gently to combine. The cream is what gives these cookies that custard-like richness, while the brown sugar brings out caramel notes. The dough will be slightly soft and sticky, but that’s okay!

Step 4: Chill the Dough

• Chill the dough in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial because it helps the cookies hold their shape during baking. If you skip this step, the cookies may spread too much.

Step 5: Shape the Cookies

• Once the dough has chilled, scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place the dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
• Press each cookie dough ball lightly with your fingers to flatten it a bit. This helps them bake more evenly.

Step 6: Top with Sugar

• Before baking, generously sprinkle each cookie with a bit of granulated sugar. This will create that signature crispy sugar topping that mimics the crackling top of a crème brûlée.

Step 7: Bake the Cookies

• Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The cookies will still be soft in the center, but that’s perfect! They’ll firm up as they cool, giving you a chewy, melt-in-your-mouth texture with that crispy sugar crust on top.

Step 8: Let Them Cool

• Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and gives you that perfect texture.