This chocolate pots de creme recipe will hit the spot for any true chocolate lover! It's everything that makes a sinful dessert. Just top it off with some whipped cream or fresh fruit, and you've got yourself a restaurant-worthy chocolate dessert!
If you are having friends over for dinner, these little beauties would make a wonderful dessert, topped with fresh fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, bananas or even pears along with a dollop of whipped cream.
Calling All Chocolate Lovers
I have a major sweet tooth, and I need a chocolate fix on the regular. This recipe may take a little longer to make with its three hour chill time, but it's totally worth it.
My normal go-to is this chocolate cake, but sometimes I'm just in the mood to shake things up a bit.
This chocolate pots de creme is cool and refreshing, with just the right amount of chocolatey sweetness. Plus, the wait almost makes it more delicious.
I much prefer dark chocolate to sweeter chocolate. See these dark chocolate chip cookies and these chocolate macarons as evidence!
Dark chocolate has a magical quality - wonderful chocolate flavors that aren't smothered with too much sugar. But don't worry!
For this recipe I used Lindt 70% cocoa chocolate, but you could use whatever chocolate you prefer. Just make sure it's good quality chocolate. You want it to taste luxurious!
How to Make Chocolate Pots de Creme
Start out by preheating the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius). Then get 4 to 6 ramekins and place them on a roasting pan.
If you want more per serving of chocolate pots de creme, then use 4 ramekins; if you want to share it with more people or spread it out over a couple days, use 6 ramekins. The recipe works either way!
What's a ramekin? Imagine creme brulee. Are you picturing it in a little white porcelain bowl? One that has a flat bottom and is cylindrical? That's a ramekin.
It's usually ceramic, porcelain, or glass and is able to withstand high temperatures-perfect for the oven and perfect for this chocolate pots de creme recipe!
Place your roasting pan and ramekins aside for later.
Now we'll start making the yummy chocolate goodness!
Put your saucepan on the stove over medium heat and add the milk, cream and vanilla extract. Bring this to a boil. Once it's boiling, remove it from the heat and stir in the chopped up chocolate.
I use the 70% Lindt cocoa chocolate, but feel free to mix it up with different types. If you want something just a little healthier, you can even try making this recipe with carob chips.
If you've never had carob chips, they are vegan-friendly chocolate substitutes that come from little fruit pods that grow on carob trees.
It's caffeine free (which means your pups can eat it too!), low on fat and sugar and high in fiber. To make things easier, it's a 1-to-1 substitute for chocolate.
Side Note: If you want more ideas for vegan baking substitutions, make sure you grab a copy of this vegan baking cheat sheet.
Stir the chocolate into the cream mixture until the consistency is smooth and the chocolate is completely melted. Set this aside.
In a bowl, add the egg yolks, salt, and sugar. The salt will really bring out the flavor in the chocolate, so don't forget it!
Using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, whisk the ingredients in the bowl. Don't let the yolks become foamy! All you are trying to do here is combine the ingredients together.
Keep the mixer going slowly while you pour the chocolate creme mixture in. Continue mixing until the two are well combined.
Then, using a fine mesh sieve, strain the final product into a jug. I've found it's easier to use the jug to pour the mixture into the ramekins. You don't want any of that goodness going to waste on the counter after all!
Pour the mixture into the ramekins. Then fill the roasting pan with hot water until it comes halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Make sure it's not too little and not too much! You wouldn't want watery chocolate pots de creme.
Finally, cover the tray with aluminum foil and pop it into the oven. Let it bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until the custard is lightly set. It should still jiggle when moved though.
Remove the roasting pan from the oven. Now you can move the ramekins to the fridge to chill. If you have no patience, you can eat it right away, but I suggest you chill it for at least three hours so it can set.
After it's done chilling, add a dollop of cream on top of your chocolate pots de creme, and garnish with your favorite fresh fruit or a spoonful of whipped cream.
Let me know how yours turned out-especially if you tried something different. I'd love to try out your variations too!
And if you're in need for some more fancy chocolate desserts, don't miss these chocolate fondants or vegan chocolate mousse!
📖 Recipe
Equipment
- Ramekins
Ingredients
- 140 grams Lindt 70% Cocoa chocolate or other good quality chocolate of your choice, chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 400 ml thickened (heavy) cream
- 125 ml full fat milk
- 6 egg yolks
- ¼ cup caster sugar
- pinch of salt, I learned from the lovely Ina Garten that a touch of salt really brings out the flavour in chocolate.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 150 celsius (300 farenheit) and place 4 to 6 ramekins (depending on the serving size you want) into a roasting pan.
- Place the milk, cream and vanilla extract into a saucepan and bring to a boil over a medium heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the chopped chocolate and stir until smooth. You might like to use a whisk here to ensure a smooth consistency. Set aside.
- In an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment whisk the egg yolks, salt and sugar together. The egg yolks should not be foamy, all you are aiming to do is combine the egg yolks, sugar and salt.
- With the mixer still running slowly pour in the chocolate, milk and cream mixture and mix until combined. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a jug. A jug will make it easier to pour the mixture into the ramekins.
- Pour the mixture into the ramekins. Fill the roasting pan with hot tap water until it comes halfway up the side of the ramekins.
- Cover the tray with foil and bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until the custard is lightly set but jiggles when moved. Chill for at least 3 hours before serving.
- Serve with a dollop of cream and fresh fruit.
Sonia@7spice says
Oh my! You'll spoil my morning with beauties! 😉 So decent dessert! Yeah, I love 70% Lindt chocolate, as it tastes best. I also tried 85% of cocoa and it's disaster. It was SO bitter for me! 🙁 So, I always stick with 70% one. Love ur pink pink cute cute bowls! 🙂 My recent post m3-5 Flickr
muppy says
these look divine, i will be sure to save this recipe to try one day when i have lost enough weight to let myself eat it! My recent post Persian Pomegranate Soup
Stephanie says
This looks like an extremely delicious way to use up some extra egg yolks. I'll have to remember this recipe next time I make a recipe calling for lots of whites...or next time I'm craving something chocolate 🙂 My recent post Homemade Chocolate Syrup
Prerna@IndianSimmer says
Oh my, that looks SO good!! I have to make it soon. I wonder why I didn't though!
Sylvie @ GITK says
I like Callebaut chocolate for baking, I think their bittersweet and milk chocolates are the best. Ever tried it? I do love Lindt for eating straight though!
delicieux says
I have tried Callebaut and you are right, it's delicious in baking. I managed to get some last time I was in Tasmania. I love Lindt for straight eating and also for baking too. It serves both purposes well! 😀
T says
This may seem like an unadulterated plug, but that's because it is. Yes, I am the "T" that you read about all over this amazing website, and I can tell you that these pots de creme are awesome. Do yourself a favour and make them this weekend, you won't be disappointed. And aren't the photos amazing? Real professional quality I think. Can't wait for the first Delicious Everyday cook book or photo book to hit the shelves. Great job, Babe xx
delicieux says
Awww thanks baby, although I do think you are just a tad biased 😉 Just for the wonderful comment and all the wonderful "PR" you do telling people at your work about my blog I will have to bake you something extra special on the weekend! 😉 xx
Julia @ Boredom Abounds says
Holy cow, this looks AMAZING! I will definitely have to try these out the next time we entertain.
delicieux says
Hi Julia, they are definitely worth the effort as they are absolutely delicious. 🙂
@fitterthanchoc says
Look at those babies! I love recipes that uses chocolate. I love it even more when 70% lindt chocolate. That is my favourite too. Sometimes, I end up eating it as a snack. My recent post Mitarashi Dango Japanese Sweet Dumpling
Kulsum says
I use lindt 70% the most in my baking though sometime I prefer 85%. This looks great. Love the pink ramekins!
Jun says
So chocolatey! I can almost taste it when I look at the pictures! My recent post Fragrant Coconut Flakes- Serundeng
delicieux says
Thanks you so much for your kind words Jun. 😀 In fact, I was hoping you could get a sense of how delicious it was from the photos.
Amanda says
These look great, Will be making these when I pick up some more ramekins
Dzenana says
oh wow! These look amazing! Now, if only I had cream in the house... I can't help but notice that you seem to be a Queenslander! Me too! 🙂 A Brisbanite, perhaps, or somewhere else? My recent post Date and Pecan Slice
delicieux says
Hi Dzenana 😀 Thanks for your kind words. By the way, I'm a Brisbanite too. 🙂
Dzenana says
haha! I knew it! (p.s. I'm vegeterian too, with a meat-eater boyfriend, who I cook for. So when I came across this blog I knew it was the one. I mean, what other blog can understand the pains of cooking food when you can't try it to make sure it's ok!?) My recent post Date and Pecan Slice
delicieux says
Exactly! Glad to meet someone with the same problem. As much as I love cooking for my boyfriend and cooking him meat, it is difficult when you can't (well, don't want to) taste it to make sure it's ok before serving. Luckily, every time I cook him meat he loves the end result. Apparently I do the best roast lamb! *laughs*
@quaypocooks says
What a delicious looking dessert this is! Fabulous clicks!
Lisa @ Tarte du Jour says
Your pots de crème look heavenly! Magnifique!
delicieux says
Thank you so much Lisa. 😀
Ellie says
Your photographs are stunning!! Love this classic dessert.
delicieux says
Thank you so Ellie. That means a lot coming from you 😀
pearlsandprose says
I too think you should do a cookbook with these great recipes and gorgeous photos. Lindt is my favorite too. 🙂 My recent post A little pick-me-up
delicieux says
Awww you are too sweet Ms Pearl. 😀
pearlsandprose says
I am serious. I would buy one. My recent post A little pick-me-up
delicieux says
Thanks Ms Pearl. That really has made my day 🙂
Gastronomy Gal says
blueberries look gorge. 70% is my fave too.
David says
Why did I have to look at this just before going to bed!? Now I need to eat something with chocolate before falling asleep (and we don't have anything here, so I need to find a store that still is open).... It looks and sounds like an amazing recipe, and a good idea to serve it with blueberries to make it a little more fresh. Now, where can I find chocolate ... My recent post Leaf Love
delicieux says
Hope you found some chocolate David! Thanks for your lovely comment 🙂
dave says
hi what size egg's are you using could youn please let me know thanks
Liz Jacobs says
All my family adore chocolate and making these was very easy and oh so delicious!
Nicole @ Delicious Everyday says
I'm so glad you enjoyed them Liz 😀
Carol says
Made these for Thanksgiving last year and they were so good. I just came by to grab the recipe again, so I can make them for a dinner party.