Chocolate Crème Brûlée Recipe - Easy Dessert Recipes (2024)

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Chocolate Crème Brûlée is a delicious, chocolatey twist on a classic French dessert. Impress your loved ones by making this beautiful dessert today!

Chocolate Crème Brûlée Recipe - Easy Dessert Recipes (1)

What’s in this Chocolate Creme Brulee Recipe?

Just 5 simple and inexpensive ingredients are needed to create the perfect chocolate crème brûlée. This recipe proves that fancier desserts don’t always have to drain your wallet!

  • Egg Yolks: Make the custard rich and thick.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the custard base and creates the signature burnt sugar top.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream: Makes the custard ultra-creamy.
  • Chocolate Chips: Adds chocolate flavor to the custard.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the sweetness of the custard.

Pro Tip: White granulated sugar works best for the tops of crème brûlée. No other sugar achieves the same delicious caramelization as plain white sugar!

Variations on Chocolate Creme Brulee

You can change up the taste of this crème brûlée by changing up the type of chips used. For a richer, darker flavor, use dark chocolate chips. Or for a lighter flavor, use milk chocolate chips. You could even use white chocolate chips or flavored baking chips, like peanut butter, cream cheese, or cinnamon.

Chocolate Crème Brûlée Recipe - Easy Dessert Recipes (2)

What is the difference between custard and brûlée?

The main difference is in the topping. Crème brûlée has a crunchy broiled top, whereas custard does not!

Why is crème brûlée baked at a low temperature?

If crème brûlée is baked at too high of a temperature, the custard can both curdle and become too hard. 300°F is the perfect low temperature for baking crème brûlée! Baking them at that temperature creates the desired smooth, creamy, jiggly consistency of the chocolate base.

Should crème brûlée be like pudding?

Yes, it should have a creamy, pudding-like texture all the way through.

Why is my crème brûlée thin and runny?

If it’s undercooked, the consistency will be a bit liquidy and not quite set. Double-check that yourdessertsare fully cooked by giving the roasting pan a gentle shake. You’ll know it’s ready when the custard is set in the center and it only slightly jiggles.

Is crème brûlée eaten hot or cold?

This dish is usually served cold with a warm sugar top.

Can I still make crème brûlée if I don’t have a kitchen torch?

A kitchen torch certainly makes things a whole lot easier when making this classic French dessert, but no, you can caramelize the sugar in other ways! You can place the custards under the broiler to caramelize the sugar, but be sure to keep a close eye on them! A tip I learned a long time ago is to heat a metal spoon over the stove, then once it’s nice and hot, you can heat the sugar with it and it will caramelize. Be careful not to burn your hands!

Chocolate Crème Brûlée Recipe - Easy Dessert Recipes (3)

How to Store

In the refrigerator, chocolate crème brûlée will stay perfectly fresh for up to 3 days. To make sure the texture stays perfect, I recommend wrapping the ramekins in plastic wrap. If not stored properly, you risk the caramelized sugar losing its crunch!

How to Freeze

Cover crème brûlée tightly with plastic wrap and freeze for up to 1 month. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before topping with sugar and torching.

Serving Suggestions

I love to place freshly chopped strawberries on top of my servings. A light dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream is also delicious! For even more flavor, try chocolate whipped cream. Truly, the crystalized sugar is so perfect; you don’t want to place too many garnishes on top that cover it.

Chocolate Crème Brûlée Recipe - Easy Dessert Recipes (4)

Chocolate Crème Brûlée Recipe - Easy Dessert Recipes (5)

4.91 from 11 votes

Chocolate Crème Brûlée Recipe

As much as I love a classic vanilla serving of crème brûlée, I must admit… this chocolate version is even richer and more delectable!

Prep: 20 minutes minutes

Cook: 55 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 people

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Ingredients

  • 5 large egg yolks 70 grams
  • ½ cup granulated sugar 100 grams, divided
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream 454 grams
  • ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips 43 grams
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams

For Topping

  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 25 grams
  • Strawberries optional, for serving
  • Powdered Sugar optional, for serving

Equipment

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 300°F.

  • In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks and half of the sugar together, then set the bowl aside.

    5 large egg yolks, ½ cup granulated sugar

  • In a small saucepan, combine the heavy whipping cream and the remaining sugar, whisking together until it begins to lightly bubble, but not boil. Gradually stir in the chocolate chips and keep whisking on low heat until the chocolate has completely melted. You can scrape the whisk on the bottom of the saucepan to make sure there are not unmelted pieces of chocolate. Once the whisk is clear, remove from heat.

    2 cups heavy whipping cream, ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips

  • Allow the chocolate and cream mixture to cool for about 30-60 seconds, then quickly whisk it into the sugar and yolks. (Allowing it to cool for 30 seconds and whisking quickly ensures the eggs won’t cook when they are heated.) Stir in the vanilla until the entire mixture is combined.

    1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • Evenly distribute the mixture into small ramekins, being careful not to overfill. Place the ramekins into a baking pan, before filling the pan with water to surround the ramekins. The water should be at least a quarter of the way but no more than halfway up the sides of the ramekins before placing in the oven.

  • Bake for about 50-55 minutes, until the crème brûlée has set. Remove from the oven and the baking pan/water. Cover each ramekin with plastic wrap and allow to cool. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

  • Once the crème brûlée is completely chilled, sprinkle a small spoonful of sugar on the top of each ramekin. Use a food torch to heat the sugar until it crystalizes on top. If you don't have a torch, place the ramekins on a baking sheet and place in the oven on the top rack. Use the broil option for a few minutes, until the sugar crystalizes.

    2 tablespoons granulated sugar

  • Serve with strawberries or sprinkles of powdered sugar if desired.

    Strawberries, Powdered Sugar

Notes

  • The size of the ramekin is very important. If your ramekin is too deep, the pudding will most likely not bake evenly. Try to aim for the small ramekins you see in my photos!
  • When adding water to the baking pan, do your best to not get any water in the ramekins. Even the smallest amount of water can disrupt the chocolate base and cause it to not bake correctly.
  • White granulated sugar works best for the tops of crème brûlée. No other sugar achieves the same delicious caramelization as plain white sugar!
  • Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.

Storage:Store chocolate crème brûlée tightly wrapped with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Crème Brûlée Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 664Calories from Fat 477

% Daily Value*

Fat 53g82%

Saturated Fat 32g200%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 3g

Monounsaturated Fat 15g

Cholesterol 378mg126%

Sodium 44mg2%

Potassium 203mg6%

Carbohydrates 41g14%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 39g43%

Protein 8g16%

Vitamin A 2079IU42%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 115mg12%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Author: Becky Hardin – Easy Dessert Recipes

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Chocolate Crème Brûlée Recipe - Easy Dessert Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between creme brulee and custard? ›

The main difference between the two is that creme brulee is topped with a layer of sugar that caramelizes under a broiler or torch, resulting in a crunchy, burnt sugar topping. Egg custard does not have this additional layer of sugar, but some recipes call for a dusting of nutmeg or cinnamon.

What is the secret of creme brulee? ›

This is a key step to making perfect crème brûlée – baking your custards in a water bath. A water bath is a pan of water that the ramekins are placed in to bake. A water bath provides some insulation from direct heat which allows the custards to cook gently, evenly, and prevents cracking.

What is the difference between creme caramel and creme brulee? ›

Crème Brûlée is made with a milk but mostly cream base and Crème Caramel has a milk base.

How do you mess up creme brulee? ›

  1. Whisking too much which will incorporate air bubbles in the custard. ...
  2. Not using a water bath in the oven or enough water up the sides of the ramekin. ...
  3. Overbaking, the custard should just jiggle a in the center when you remove from the oven. ...
  4. Using granulated sugar for the brulee.
Feb 18, 2021

What is the fancy name for crème brûlée? ›

Crème brûlée or crème brulée (/ˌkrɛm bruːˈleɪ/; French pronunciation: [kʁɛm bʁy. le]), also known as burnt cream or Trinity cream, and virtually identical to crema catalana, is a dessert consisting of a rich custard base topped with a layer of hardened caramelized sugar.

Is flan the same as crème brûlée or panna cotta? ›

Highlights. Panna Cotta is a smooth, creamy dessert of Italian origin. Creme Brulee is famous because it is usually topped with brown sugar. Flan refers to a sweet custard-like dessert, topped with caramel.

What not to do when making crème brûlée? ›

Avoid These Common Mistakes and Make a Flawless Crème Brûlée
  1. Using the Wrong Size Ramekin. Crème brûlée is traditionally baked in a wide, shallow ramekin. ...
  2. Using Whole Eggs. The pudding portion of crème brûlée should be trembling and tender, but still rich and creamy. ...
  3. Getting Water in the Pudding. ...
  4. Torching the Wrong Sugar.
Jan 20, 2016

What kind of sugar is best for crème brûlée? ›

For the caramelized sugar crust, we recommend turbinado or Demerara sugar. Regular granulated sugar will work, too, but use only 1 scant teaspoon on each ramekin or 1 teaspoon on each shallow fluted dish.

Can I use pyrex for crème brûlée? ›

Pour into a shallow, rectangular pyrex dish (13 1/2 x8 1/2 inch) and place it in a pan containing a few inches of hot water. Bake in a 325 degree oven for 1 hour or until set (insert a silver knife to test).

What is the difference between crème brûlée and leche flan? ›

“Leche Flan” is the Filipino version of Crème brûlée and is also known as Crème caramel. The main difference with this Filipino dessert is that leche flan is Jello-like in consistency, while crème brûlée is pudding-like. Another difference is how the leche flan is cooked.

Is heavy cream or half and half better for crème brûlée? ›

Five ingredients make the magic happen.

First, choose a cream for your French custards. You can use heavy cream, light cream, or half-and-half. The latter is my favorite because it's half milk and half cream. It's a touch lighter than the others.

Can you over bake crème brûlée? ›

Cook it Gently

Even with this gentle method, it's still possible to over bake the custards, resulting in curdled texture.

What happens if you put too much sugar in crème brûlée? ›

If there's too much sugar, the crust will start to burn before it melts evenly. Too little, and it will just melt into the custard. Brûléeing the sugar in two steps leads to a more uniform melting of the sugar granules and a nice even caramel color.

Does crème brûlée taste like custard? ›

Creme brulee tastes like a richer, creamier, silkier version of your favorite vanilla custard or pudding.

Is caramel custard the same as crème brûlée? ›

The custard has a smooth texture, and the caramel layer on top is sweet and slightly sticky. Crème caramel differs from crème brûlée, a similar French dessert, in that chefs harden the caramelized sugar topping of crème brûlée with a blowtorch after the dessert finishes baking.

Is crème brûlée made from custard? ›

At its most basic, crème brûlée is a creamy, pudding-like, baked custard with a brittle top of melted sugar that cracks when you gently tap it with a spoon. The custard is made with heavy cream, eggs, sugar, and vanilla.

What are the three types of baked custard? ›

There are three types of custard: baked, stirred, and frozen. Baked custards include bread pudding, flan, and cheesecake, and are prepared by baking in an oven or water bath. Boiled Custards include beverages like eggnog. Puddings, creme anglaise (krem on-GLAYZ), and pastry cream are some examples of stirred custards.

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