Chocolate Creme Brulee

Name: Chocolate Creme Brulee
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Europe, Italian
Ingredients: 6 large egg yolks; 3/4 cup sugar, divided; 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder, optional; 2 cups heavy whipping cream; 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Total Time Prep: 15 min. Bake: 50 min. + chilling

Yield 6 servings

Test Kitchen Approved

Before you dismiss this sophisticated dessert as too complicated for a home cook, stay with us. We’ve demystified the techniques to creating the perfect chocolate creme brulee recipe so you can have an exceptionally elegant ending to any at-home dinner.

Ingredients

6 large egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder, optional
2 cups heavy whipping cream
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks, 1/4 cup sugar and espresso powder, if desired; set aside. In a small saucepan, combine the cream, chocolate and 1/4 cup sugar. Heat over medium-low heat until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth, stirring constantly.
Remove from the heat. Stir in vanilla. Stir a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolk mixture; return all to the pan, stirring constantly.
Pour into six 4-oz. ramekins. Place in a baking pan. Add 1 in. of boiling water to pan. Bake, uncovered, at 325° until center is set, 50-55 minutes. Remove from water bath. Cool on a wire rack up to 1 hour. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
If using a creme brulee torch, sprinkle top of ramekins with remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Heat sugar with the torch until caramelized. Serve immediately.
If broiling the custards, place ramekins on a baking sheet; let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining sugar. Broil 8 in. from the heat for 4-7 minutes or until sugar is caramelized. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm.

Nutrition Facts

1 creme brulee: 533 calories, 40g fat (24g saturated fat), 275mg cholesterol, 30mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (36g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.

Make ramekins of chocolate creme brulee on special occasions like Valentine's Day, anniversaries or simply when you have time to put extra effort into dessert. Finely chopped chocolate is melted into the custard to make it even more decadent. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan

Recipe Creator