High-Protein Crème Brûlée Custard Bars
High-Protein Creme Brulee Custard Bars
Smooth vanilla custard, a gold crackle top – 45 minutes, one pan
These are custard bars, not a ramekin creme brulee. Cottage cheese, eggs, and a scoop of vanilla whey bake into a pale, sliceable slab. A thin layer of allulose hits the broiler until it is gold and speckled, like the bars in the photo. No sugar crust. Forty-five minutes in the oven, then a short chill so they cut clean.
Nine bars. Torch or broil the top right before you serve.
Why you’ll love these bars
- 14g protein per bar – dessert that is not empty
- Only 4g net carbs – allulose top, no sugar crust
- About 45 minutes in the oven
- Pale custard, gold crackle, like the photo
- Cottage cheese disappears if you blend it
- They slice like cheesecake, not pudding
Health notes
- High protein: Cottage plus whey plus eggs.
- Low carb: Allulose or monk fruit, no sugar.
- Nine bars: One 8×8 pan.
- Macros are per bar, not the whole pan.
Key element – blend until it is silk, then do not overbake
If you can still see cottage curds, keep blending. The bars in the photo are smooth because the mix was fully blended. Bake until the center just jiggles. A cracked, dry top means you went too long. The gold crust is the allulose under the broiler, not extra bake time.
Ingredients
Custard (9 bars)
- 2 cups (450g) cottage cheese (2% or 4%)
- 1 scoop (30g) vanilla whey protein
- 3 large eggs
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered allulose or monk fruit
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 tsp xanthan gum, optional, for extra set
Brulee top
- 2 to 3 Tbsp granulated allulose
Swaps
- Greek yogurt: Use 2 cups thick Greek yogurt instead of cottage. Tangier.
- No whey: Add 1 extra egg. Protein drops a few grams.
- No torch: Broil 1 to 2 minutes. Watch it. Allulose goes from gold to burnt fast.
- Erythritol top: Works, but it can recrystallize. Allulose stays glossier.
Instructions
| 1 | Heat and blend. Heat oven to 325 F (165 C). Line an 8×8 glass pan with parchment. Blend cottage, whey, eggs, cream, powdered sweetener, vanilla, salt, and xanthan if using until completely smooth, 45 to 60 seconds. |
| 2 | Pour. Pour into the pan. Tap the pan once on the counter to pop air bubbles so the top stays even, like the photo. |
| 3 | Bake. Bake 30 to 35 minutes until the edges are set and the center still has a slight jiggle. Do not wait for it to be firm in the oven. |
| 4 | Chill. Cool 20 minutes, then refrigerate at least 1 hour (overnight is better) so the bars cut clean. |
| 5 | Brulee and slice. Sprinkle a thin, even layer of allulose on top. Broil 1 to 2 minutes or torch until gold and speckled, like the photo. Rest 2 minutes, then cut into 9 bars. |
Pro tips
- Blend longer than you think. Curds freeze into grainy bars.
- A water bath is optional. It makes the custard even silkier if you have time.
- Allulose browns like sugar. Erythritol stays paler and can feel sandy.
- Brulee right before serving so the top stays crisp.
- Wipe the knife between cuts for the clean squares in the photo.
Nutrition
| Nutrient | Per bar (1 of 9) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 180 |
| Protein | 14g |
| Net carbohydrates | 4g |
| Total carbohydrates | 5g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Total fat | 11g |
| Sodium | 220mg |
Estimates with 2% cottage, vanilla whey, and allulose. Powder brand will shift protein slightly.
Variations
Lemon
Add 1 tsp lemon zest to the blender.
Coffee
Add 1 tsp instant espresso with the whey.
Cinnamon
Skip the brulee top and dust cinnamon after baking, or mix 1/4 tsp into the custard.
Ramekins
Pour into 6 ramekins. Bake 22 to 25 minutes. Brulee each top.
Storage
| Method | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Up to 4 days | Brulee just before you eat |
| Freezer | Up to 1 month | Thaw in the fridge; top after thawing |
| Meal prep | 9 boxes | Keep the top plain until serving |
FAQ
Test your knowledge
5 quick questions about these bars
1. Protein per bar?
2. Net carbs per bar?
3. How many bars in an 8×8?
4. When do you brulee the top?
5. Why blend the cottage so long?
