Step 1

In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar on medium speed for 4-5 minutes. You want to beat air into the mixture to give the cookie structure.

Step 2

Scrape the sides of the bowl. Stir in the egg and vanilla. Scrape the bowl again.

Step 3

In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 4

Add the flour mixture to the butter and egg in three batches, scraping the sides of the bowl after each addition.

Step 5

Use a medium cookie scoop to portion out the dough.

Step 6

Cut the top 1/3 off each cookie dough ball. Use a teaspoon to make a deep indentation in the bottom half of each cookie. Fill each with about a teaspoon-sized dollop of pastry cream.

Step 7

Slightly flatten the top of the cookie dough and shape carefully over the bottom. Seal the cookie well.

Step 8

Once all the cookies have been formed, place them in the refrigerator to chill. At this point, you can also place some in the freezer for baking later.

Step 9

While the cookies are chilling, preheat your oven to 375 F with oven racks positioned in the top middle and bottom middle positions.

Step 10

When the oven has come to temperature, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Arrange cookies on the baking sheet and bake for 13-15 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through.

Step 11

As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, sprinkle each generously with granulated sugar.

Step 12

Let the cookies sit for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

Step 13

Place the baked cookies on a foil-lined baking sheet and place them in the refrigerator to chill for about 30 minutes.

Step 14

Once cold, use a kitchen torch to burn the sugar at the top of each cookie you plan to enjoy that day. Enjoy!

Step 15

Store chilled, leftover cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. When you're ready to enjoy a cookie, burn the sugar with the torch so you can enjoy a nice crunchy crust!