Chocolate Creme Brulee

Susan, AKA Kiwicook
Susan, AKA Kiwicook

Susan, AKA Kiwicook

In her days as a recipe developer, Susan has created over 450 recipes. Her Dutch and New Zealander roots serve as a basis for her culinary inspiration.

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I couldn’t resist. Another Crème Brulee! I know… I’ve made them before (both Classic Creme Brulee and Espresso Creme Brulee versions), but somehow the dark chocolate variety was calling to me… “Make me… make me…..” So I did.

And wow, this Chocolate Creme Brulee recipe from Chef Eddy.com certainly delivered. It’s chocolate in all its seductive glory – double-chocolate actually… both a bittersweet chocolate AND a rich dark cocoa powder. The added coffee further heightens the chocolate flavour. It’s a decadent dessert – beautifully rich without being sweet. It’s firmer than a brulee should be, strictly speaking, but that’s undoubtedly due to there being a fair whack of chocolate in it!

I did need to adapt the recipe directions, however. I followed the recipe at the temperature stated, but it cooked the brulees too quickly and they started bubbling – not a good look for a brulee. I’ve consequently lowered the oven temperature by 10 degrees Celsius, bringing it to a gentler (and more commonly used) 150 degrees (300 degrees Fahrenheit). Secondly, I was a bit non-plussed by the instruction to cook the brulees for 70 minutes, not to mention the direction that the custard should be cooked till “it no longer trembles”. I found this rather curious, as the common rule of thumb is that brulees should be taken out of the oven while they are still jiggly in the middle as they continue to firm up once they cool. Thank goodness I checked the custards at 30 minutes as I discovered they were already cooked. As a result, I’ve reduced the cooking time by half which is more in keeping with my own, and most other recipes.

Questionable directions aside, this dessert is well worth the making. Enjoy!

DARK CHOCOLATE CRÈME BRULEE

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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Chilling Time 4 hours
Total Time 5 hours 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 6 Ramekins

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz heavy cream
  • 4 oz milk
  • 1 oz dark cocoa powder
  • 3 oz bittersweet chocolate, 60%, finely chopped
  • 4 large or 5 smaller egg yolks
  • 4 oz packed brown sugar
  • 0.10 oz vanilla extract
  • 1.5 oz coffee liqueur OR espresso coffee
  • Granulated white sugar for topping

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F). Fill your hot water jug and put on to boil.
  • In a saucepan bring the cream and milk to scalding (just prior to a simmer). Remove from heat and whisk in the cocoa powder. Add the chopped chocolate and whisk the mixture until smooth.
  • In a separate bowl whisk the yolks until smooth. While whisking, add about a half cup of the cream/chocolate mixture in a steady fine stream into the yolks and mix well – this will temper the eggs so they don’t curdle. Continue whisking and slowly add the remaining cream/chocolate mixture. Add the brown sugar, vanilla extract and coffee liqueur (or espresso) and whisk until well combined, but don’t over-whisk or you may create too much foam. If there is too much foam, simply let the mixture sit for 15-30 minutes until it settles.
  • Place ramekins in an oven proof dish (you can place a tea-towel underneath the ramekins to stop them from slipping about in the dish). Fill the ramekins with the crème brulee mixture (you can either ladle it in, or pour the mixture into a jug so that pouring is easier). Carefully pour boiled water into the oven proof dish so that it comes half way up the sides of the ramekins.
  • Carefully place the roasting tin with ramekins into the oven and bake until, when lightly shaken, they jiggle in the middle (depending on the oven and the size of the ramekins, this will take about 30-40 minutes). Remove the roasting pan from the oven, carefully remove the ramekins and place them on a wire rack to cool.
  • Once completely cooled, put the custards into the fridge (you can lightly place a piece of silver foil or plastic wrap over top, but it’s not necessary) and chill for at least four hours (but preferably overnight).
  • When ready to serve, sprinkle each custard evenly with 1-2 teaspoons of granulated white sugar (the more the sugar, the thicker the crust) and spread it evenly with the back of a teaspoon. Before the next step: Put each ramekin on a piece of silver foil or tray to avoid burning the bench! Using a blow torch, and one ramekin at a time, work from the outside to the inside using small circular motions (one or two inches from the surface). Let it rest for a minute, then come back for a second or third grilling. Don’t be shy about letting the sugar burn in places – it’s meant to! Let the caramelized sugar cool and harden to form a crisp layer (at least 5-10 minutes) then serve immediately.
Keyword Creme brulee, Dark Chocolate Creme Brulee
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Susan, AKA Kiwicook
About The Author
Susan, also known as the Kiwi Cook, hails from Levin, New Zealand, and has a unique Kiwi-Dutch-British heritage that influenced her culinary upbringing. As an artist, tutor, writer, and editor, Susan dedicates her weekends to creating delectable dishes. Her food philosophy embraces moderation and listening to her body's needs.

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