Chocolate Crème Brûlée Recipe - Easy Dessert Recipes (2024)

Home Pudding Chocolate Crème Brûlée

Chocolate Dessert Pudding Valentine's Day

Easy Dessert Recipes Team

Jump To Recipe Pin For Later

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)

Chocolate Crème Brûlée Recipe - Easy Dessert Recipes (3)

Email This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Easy Dessert Recipes.

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 (4)

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 (5)

Chocolate Crème Brûlée Recipe - Easy Dessert Recipes (6)

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

Chocolate Crème Brûlée Recipe - Easy Dessert Recipes (7)

Email This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Easy Dessert Recipes.

PrintRate Save

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

  • Kitchen Scale (optional)

  • Ramekins

  • 9×13 Baking Pan

  • Kitchen Torch (optional)

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

Did You Make This?We love seeing what you’ve made! Tag us on social media at@easydessertrecipesfor a chance to be featured.

More Crème Brûlée Recipes We Love

  • Easy Crème Brûlée
  • Pumpkin Crème Brûlée
  • Crème Brûlée Cheesecake
Previous PostCream Puffs
Next Post Frosted Circus Animal Cheesecake (No Bake)

More Delish Recipes

  • Easy Crème Brûlée

  • Chocolate Chia Pudding

  • Chocolate Pudding

  • Chocolate Cobbler

Reader Interactions

Leave a Review

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Chocolate Crème Brûlée Recipe - Easy Dessert Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret of crème brûlée? ›

Creme Brulee Recipe tips. Use full-fat ingredients: For the most velvety creme brulee, use full-fat heavy cream and egg yolks. You need all that fat to create a rich, creamy custard. You may use half and half but it won't be as creamy.

What's the difference between pudding and brûlée? ›

Pudding is usually served on its own, but custard has applications in different desserts, including: 1. Crème brûlée: A baked custard topped with a layer of burnt, caramelized sugar, crème brûlée is a rich dessert that contains egg yolks and heavy cream.

What's the difference between crème brûlée 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 sugar is best for creme brulee? ›

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.

Is chocolate custard the same as pudding? ›

While most custard and pudding recipes both typically call for eggs, the main difference is that pudding uses a starch for thickening, whereas custard's thickening agent is the egg itself (or egg yolk, in most instances). Custard's texture also tends to be firmer than pudding.

What does crème brûlée mean in english? ›

French, literally, scorched cream.

What is the English version of 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.

What is flan vs crème brûlée? ›

When it comes to crème brûlée and flan, it's mostly the toppings that distinguishes the two, as well as the presentation. The former has that signature crackly sugar crust on top, and the latter has the gooey, soft caramel top.

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.

What is the top of a crème brûlée called? ›

Crème brûlée is a decadent dessert consisting of a sweetened egg custard topped with caramelized sugar. It is sometimes called “crema catalana”, “Trinity cream” or “burnt cream”. It is made from a rich custard base and topped with a layer of hard caramel.

How do you keep sugar hard on creme brulee? ›

Sprinkle the Demerara sugar evenly on top of the creme brulee. Broil for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the sugar melts completely and most of it caramelizes, rotating the pan occasionally to even the browning. Cool on a wire rack for 1 minute to allow the sugar to harden, then serve immediately.

Why is my creme brulee not crispy? ›

It could be your sugar. I find sugar in the raw to be the easiest and most even burning sugar for creme brûlée. You could also combine equal parts brown sugar and white sugar. When burning the sugar make sure to keep moving the torch evenly across the sugar.

Can you put brown sugar on top of creme brulee? ›

Sweetened with brown sugar, and a touch of cinnamon. Topped with a caramelized, glassy broiled sugar."

What creates the hard top on a crème brûlée? ›

This crème brûlée recipe instructs you to make a creamy, silky custard flavored with vanilla and orange liqueur on the stovetop and oven. You then sprinkle the chilled custard with coarse Demerara sugar to make its signature glassy, crackling molten sugar top.

Why do you scald cream for crème brûlée? ›

Scalding the cream serves two primary purposes in crème brûlée preparation. It helps infuse the cream with the flavors of any added vanilla beans or extracts and ensures that the cream blends smoothly with the egg yolks, creating the velvety custard texture that crème brûlée is known for.

Why is my crème brûlée not creamy? ›

Undercooked: It's possible that you didn't bake it long enough. Crème brûlée should be set around the edges but still slightly wobbly in the center when you take it out. It will continue to set as it cools. Too much liquid: Make sure you're using the right proportion of cream to egg yolks.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Roderick King

Last Updated:

Views: 5440

Rating: 4 / 5 (51 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Roderick King

Birthday: 1997-10-09

Address: 3782 Madge Knoll, East Dudley, MA 63913

Phone: +2521695290067

Job: Customer Sales Coordinator

Hobby: Gunsmithing, Embroidery, Parkour, Kitesurfing, Rock climbing, Sand art, Beekeeping

Introduction: My name is Roderick King, I am a cute, splendid, excited, perfect, gentle, funny, vivacious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.