Extra-Bittersweet Chocolate Pots de Crème Recipe (2024)

By Melissa Clark

Extra-Bittersweet Chocolate Pots de Crème Recipe (1)

Total Time
55 minutes, plus chilling
Rating
5(1,027)
Notes
Read community notes

This is restaurant-grade pudding you can make at home. It's dense yet buoyant with a profound chocolate flavor thanks to the use of bittersweet and unsweetened chocolate. A healthy dose of salt balances it all out.

Featured in: You Call That Pudding, Grandma?

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 servings

  • cups heavy cream
  • ½cup whole milk
  • 3ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 1ounce unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
  • 4egg yolks
  • 3tablespoons sugar
  • teaspoon kosher salt
  • Crème fraîche or whipped cream, for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

379 calories; 33 grams fat; 20 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 10 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 20 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 17 grams sugars; 5 grams protein; 80 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Extra-Bittersweet Chocolate Pots de Crème Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a heavy saucepan, bring cream and milk to a boil. Remove from heat; whisk in chopped chocolate until smooth.

  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the yolks, sugar and salt. Whisking constantly, slowly pour hot chocolate into yolks. Strain through a very fine mesh sieve into a large measuring cup or bowl.

  3. Step

    3

    Divide mixture among 2- to 4-ounce espresso cups or small ramekins. Set filled cups in a large roasting pan that has been positioned on center rack of oven. Add hot tap water to pan, halfway up sides of cups. Cover pan with foil; use a fork to prick holes in foil.

  4. Step

    4

    Bake until edges are lightly set (lifting foil to check) but center is still jiggly — it will set as it cools — 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer cups to a wire rack to cool completely. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving with crème fraîche or whipped cream.

Ratings

5

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1,027

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

diane t

Delicious, rich, and not too sweet. I made this as written, just doubling the recipe to get 11 generous 5.25 oz ramekins (just shy). Unlike others, I found my pots de creme were jiggly as described and not liquid. I wonder if others forgot the foil and thus liquidy pots. Another trick—I put a layer of paper towel on the bottom of the roasting pan before adding the ramekins and then water; this prevents the ramekins from sliding around as you move the pan.

Kathryn

I made this for company last night and it was fabulous. Very chocolatey, silky and not too sweet. Directions were spot on, baked until edges are just set and center jiggly. I refrigerated them overnight and they firmed up beautifully. Served with fresh whipped cream and a biscotti on the side. I made them in 4 ounce pots de crime pots and it made 5 1/2 servings. (Used the 1/2 serving to test them). Perfect size as they are quite rich. Will definitely make this again.

Tim S

This is a TERRIBLY simple recipe with amazing results.

do NOT be fooled, it is not "jiggly" when you remove it from the oven, it's "liquid"! it will remain liquid while you cool it on wire racks,
THIS RECIPE WILL ONLY SET WHEN IT'S COOLED IN THE FRIDGE!
very simple, very good.

Anthony M.

I made this tonight for a dinner party of 10, tripling the recipe. Everyone raved. I made only one adjustment, adding 1 tsp. of espresso powder to make the chocolate flavor even deeper. Oh! And I discovered right before putting it in the oven that I was out of foil. Good news: baking it in an uncovered water bath for 25 minutes still produces excellent results.

SugarFree

If you've run out of foil - or prefer "reusables" - just lay a cookie sheet (flat side down) over the pan once you've poured in the water, and after the pan is in the oven. Works a treat.

Nathan

I made this recipe sous vide in 4 oz mason jars. 178 degrees for 2 hours let to a perfectly set custard. I added a pinch of cayenne, and it was a hit for my Cinco de Mayo party.

Lori B

Before you ever use American chocolate, read the ingredients. No, no, no! European chocolate is regulated and has no wax.

Shayna

This recipe was a disaster. Never firmed up and way more labor intensive than necessary. The recipe that works MUCH better is https://www.finecooking.com/recipe/bittersweet-chocolate-pots-de-cremeI find many of Melissa Clark's recipes to be lacking in specifics and have now sworn off using her recipes no matter how good they sound.

Julia

Excellent, and easy! Don't skip the sieve. I did, and it was a mistake.

Bridget

This was a fabulous winter dessert -well written and easy to make. The chilling made it silky and creamy.

Altoon

Oh my....this was like eating a bit of heaven. Creamy and rich; definitely serve it with whipped cream. I used only bittersweet chocolate: Callebaut. I made it the day before serving; it firmed up perfectly in the refrigerator. It made 6 3-4 ounce servings for me.

Andrew

Very useful tip about the paper towel, thank you!

SugarFree

If you're out of foil, or prefer reusables, just lay a cookie sheet (flat side down) over the top of the pan after you pour in the water and the pan is in the oven. Works a treat.

Julie

Just the BEST. I’ve made these for thanksgiving two years in a row and everyone always gets quiet with that first super smooth mouthful!

Claudia U.

One additional, final step--a thin layer or sugar caramelized under the broiler or a culinary torch--turns this into Crème Brulee light, a slightly less dense, slightly less sweet version of the original. Delightful.

wRoberge

Needs more chocolate or an extra flavor: coffee or cardamom

MEH

This dish does not set to custard point when done in a gas oven in the time provided. To make it work: replace one egg yolk with one whole egg OR add a teaspoon of cornstarch dissolved in a tablespoon of cold cream. Freeze dried berries are a good alternative topping.

Melissa

Very good. I think I may have left them in the oven too long; were still quite liquid at 30 mins, but I think this is intentional. I kept them in for another 15 minutes but could have pulled them earlier. Used a mixture of homemade cashew mix and macadamia milk. Date paste 1:1. More fat would have been nice, but adding a dollop of coconut whipped cream helped. Straining through a sieve was essential. Used 0.5 oz unsweetened and 3.5 oz 60% for non-dark chocolate-loving (blasphemy) guests.

Nancy

I made this just as written. Amazing dessert. With so many folks avoiding gluten, this is going to be my “go to” dessert for dinner parties. I made 1 1/2 times the recipe. It provided 6 generous portions.

Al

These are lovely, but it took me way longer than 30 min. I live at 6k elevation, so maybe that has something to do with it. The first time I made this I took out at 45 min even though they didn’t seem done, and they were not… left in fridge overnight and still liquid the next day. I remade the next day and increased the temp to 310, preheated the water in the bath, and cooked for 45-50 min and they turned out great. Either the elevation, or my oven… not sure, but don’t remove from the oven early

Marsha E.

I made this for my family and they raved. I used 4 oz ramekins and got 6 out of the recipe. It was just enough for each person. It was so easy to make and was delicious and rich. I followed the recipe as written.

Mia

Exquisite! We debated whether we like the dark chocolate pudding or this recipe more!! Decided that we like them equally --- this just fancier! Pudding tastes homier!Made exactly as instructed!!

Katherine Krummert

Excellent recipe. Smooth, intense and just the right amount of sweet.

Evan

Made 6 in tea cups because our ramekins were too big. It did set up overnight fridge but did not become super solid. Served with cognac favored whipped cream. Very, very good!!!

Allison

Amazing. Very easy to make and NYE guests were blown away. Will definitely make this again!

Grace

Sprinkle with a little sea salt before serving to really brighten the flavor.

thatgirl

Anyone have a clue what “4-6 servings” comprises? Typical pots de crème are rich affairs of 3-4 oz max, but this recipe doesn’t say how many oz/serving.

Jamellica Jenkins

This is my go-to-recipe when I have cream and very good chocolate to hand.Here in the UK, I use a whole 350ml container of Extra Thick Double Cream with 120 ml of semi-skimmed milk (since that’s usually what I have in the fridge) and it comes out amazing. You can make these the night before (just make sure you cling-film the ramekins well before putting them in the refrigerator) or you can whip them up in the afternoon and set to chill for an hour or two, and have them after dinner.

Michelle

Beyond delicious. Like eating chocolate satin. Followed directions exactly.

Michael

Aside from the cooking time, which I increased by about 10 minutes because Denver. Followed the recipe, absolutely amazing.I let it cool on wire rack for about 45 min, then threw em in the fridge overnight. Perfect

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Extra-Bittersweet Chocolate Pots de Crème Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between pots de crème and mousse? ›

Pots De Creme Usually Only Uses Egg Yolks

The use of egg yolks gives pots de creme a richer, denser texture compared to mousse. Chocolate mousse also uses egg yolks for the custard but then folds the egg whites into the mixture to achieve its light, airy texture.

Which utensil can you use to check the doneness of your pots de crème? ›

Pots de crème are baked until firm around the edges with a jiggle in the center. Check for doneness by tapping on the ramekins with a wooden spoon.

What is pots de crème Day? ›

On August 27th, National Pots De Creme Day sets the table with a delicious custard dessert. Collect your ramekins, because this day gives you another excuse to use them!

Why are my pots de crème runny? ›

It may just be that they have not completely chilled. Otherwise, if the pots de creme seem runny, it's likely that they did not thicken enough in Step 1. Do pots de creme contain raw eggs? Nope, the eggs are cooked (past the recommended 160°F) in Step 1.

What is the difference between chocolate mousse and Bavarian cream? ›

Bavarian creams differ from mousses in that they are usually made by thickening a custard sauce with gelatin, then folding in whipped cream (not whipped egg whites). Mousses can be served “standalone” in a dessert cup or used as filling for cakes and Charlottes.

What is extra bittersweet chocolate? ›

Our Extra Bittersweet Baking Bar is our darkest chocolate with 85% cocoa - made with the cocoa connoisseur in mind. Featuring flavor notes of deep-roasted cocoa, subtle brown spice, and dried fruit, it's the perfect option for recipes that want chocolate to be the star flavor.

How to make bittersweet chocolate less bitter? ›

Add Sweeteners

Sugar is the most common option, but you can also consider alternatives like honey, maple syrup, or sugar substitutes for a different flavour profile or to meet dietary needs. The key is to add enough sweetener to counteract the bitterness without overwhelming the chocolate's rich flavour.

Is extra bittersweet chocolate the same as dark chocolate? ›

Both bittersweet and semi-sweet chocolate must contain at least 35 percent chocolate liquor, but bittersweet usually contains at least 50 percent cacao. Chocolates in this range are often referred to as dark chocolate.

What is the best tool to use to test for doneness? ›

When establishing your cooking times, it will be necessary to check for doneness. The most reliable method is to use a clean, accurate meat thermometer.

What are two ways to test for doneness? ›

There are two basic methods to test how done your meat is while you are cooking it—use a meat thermometer or press on the meat with your fingertips.

What's in creme fraiche? ›

What is crème fraîche? A classic French ingredient (the literal translation is 'fresh cream') made from dairy cream that's been soured using bacteria in the form of a starter culture, to slightly thicken and acidify it. Crème fraîche is usually made with cream that has at least a 30% fat content.

What is the origin of Pots de Creme? ›

Pots de creme are a French dessert whose origin can be traced back to the 17th Century. When translated, the name literally means pots of cream in English. The name refers to both the tool used to cook the dessert as well as custard treat. Originally, the dessert was baked in delicate porcelain cups.

What is the history of Pots de Creme? ›

In the 17th-century Pots de Creme started becoming popular and were originally created filling crusts like a pie. As time went on they were made in smaller portions and the crust was eliminated. While it remains incredibly popular, many people have difficulty pronouncing it.

Where does pots de creme come from? ›

Pot de crème
Butterscotch pot de crème at the girl & the fig in Sonoma, California
CourseDessert
Place of originFrance
Main ingredientseggs, egg yolks, cream, milk; vanilla, chocolate or other flavouring

What are the two types of mousse? ›

There are two types of Mousse: sweet and savory. Sweet Mousse is usually made with chocolate or fruit and served as a dessert. Savory Mousse can be meat-based or fish-based and served as an appetizer.

Is pudding and mousse the same? ›

Traditionally, pudding gets its thick consistency from being cooked (which activates the cornstarch), while mousse is not cooked. Texture: Because these two creamy desserts use different methods of thickening, the texture also varies. Pudding is semisolid and more dense, while mousse has a lighter, airier texture.

Is mousse just whipped pudding? ›

Mousse is made by folding beaten egg whites or whipped cream into a cold milk and sugar base. Unlike pudding, mousse is not cooked and the addition of air to the mixture leads to a fluffier consistency and lighter texture. Mousse is typically served chilled or frozen.

What is French mousse called? ›

Originally known as mayonnaise de chocolat, mousse was actually invented not by a pastry chef, but by the French post-Impressionist artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Its name means "foam" in French, in reference to its light, airy texture.

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