Decadent Chocolate Crème Brûlée Recipe
Welcome to Love With Recipes, where we turn every dessert into a delectable experience! Today’s star is a classic indulgence with a chocolate twist: Chocolate Crème Brûlée. This luxurious dessert features a creamy chocolate custard topped with a crisp caramelized sugar crust, perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to a well-deserved sweet delight. Let’s dive into this delightful recipe that combines rich European flavors with kid-friendly appeal, all while staying under 4 hours!
Ingredients
For the custard:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 ounces high-quality dark chocolate, chopped
- **6 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
For the topping:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Equipment Needed
- Medium saucepan
- Medium bowl
- Whisk
- Ramekins or custard cups (6 x 1/2 cup size)
- Shallow baking pan
- Baking sheet
Instructions
Preparing the Custard
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Heat the Cream: In a heavy medium saucepan, pour in the 2 cups of heavy cream. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the cream just to a simmer. Once the cream starts to steam and bubbles form around the edges, remove the saucepan from the heat.
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Melt the Chocolate: Add the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 6 ounces of chopped dark chocolate to the hot cream. Stir gently until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and well combined. This will create a velvety chocolate base for your custard.
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Blend the Egg Yolks and Sugar: In a medium bowl, whisk together 6 large egg yolks and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and slightly pale.
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Combine with Chocolate Mixture: Gradually whisk the hot chocolate cream into the egg yolk mixture. This process, known as tempering, helps to prevent the eggs from curdling. Continue whisking until everything is well combined.
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Cool the Mixture: Allow the chocolate custard mixture to cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. This should take about 15-20 minutes. It’s important that the mixture is cool before moving on to baking.
Baking the Custards
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Preheat the Oven: Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat it to 300°F (150°C).
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Prepare the Ramekins: Arrange six 1/2 cup ramekins or custard cups in a shallow baking pan. Carefully divide the cooled chocolate custard mixture evenly among the ramekins.
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Add Hot Water: Pour enough hot water into the baking pan to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins. This water bath helps to cook the custards evenly and gently.
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Bake: Place the baking pan in the oven and bake for about 40 minutes, or until the custards are just set. The centers should still have a slight jiggle when gently shaken.
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Cool and Chill: Remove the ramekins from the water bath and let them cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, cover tightly and refrigerate the custards. They can be prepared up to 1 day in advance.
Preparing the Caramelized Topping
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Preheat the Broiler: Before serving, preheat your broiler.
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Prepare the Sugar Mixture: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup brown sugar. Stir to mix.
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Caramelize the Tops: Sprinkle the sugar mixture evenly over the top of each custard. Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and broil them 2 inches away from the heat source. Broil just until the sugar melts and starts to caramelize, which should take about 2-3 minutes. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
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Cool Before Serving: Let the crème brûlées stand for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the caramelized sugar to harden into a crisp, crackly topping.
Enjoy!
Your Chocolate Crème Brûlée is now ready to be enjoyed. Each spoonful will offer a delightful contrast between the rich, smooth chocolate custard and the crispy, caramelized top. Whether for a special occasion or a cozy night in, this dessert is sure to please anyone who appreciates a touch of elegance and indulgence. 🍫✨
For more recipes and delightful desserts, stay tuned to Love With Recipes, where we turn everyday ingredients into extraordinary experiences!
