This decadent Chocolate Crème Brûlée is perfect for date night!
If there’s a special someone in your life who you are hoping to impress, I’ve got the perfect recipe for you. This dessert is rich, sweet, and smooth. Whether you’re hoping for something or someone sweet, this chocolate crème brûlée will satisfy your cravings.
If you ask me, chocolate makes everything better and has been doing so for over 4,000 years (Yup. Google it). Fruit is better covered in melted chocolate. I’ve never heard anyone say “no” to chocolate chips in their pancakes. A bit of dark chocolate can even be good for you. Chocolate has been known to boost moods, reduce stress, and even amp up the romance from time to time.
So, why wouldn’t you want to explore a chocolatey version of an already incredible dessert? I know I would, and I bet your date would, too. A homemade dessert is already sure to impress, but this chocolate crème brûlée takes things to the next level. Crème brûlée is a dessert often reserved for special occasions and elevated date nights, so making it from scratch is a great way to wow a date.
And as if the ambiance weren’t enough, this chocolate crème brûlée also tastes incredible! It’s decadent, sweet, and creamy, and the chocolate adds another layer of richness to the dish. Top it with raspberries or strawberries for a balanced dessert that even looks like it’s come straight out of a romance movie.
Is Chocolate Crème Brûlée Healthy?
I’m typically a pretty health-conscious eater. But when it comes to dessert, I like to indulge in a guilty pleasure like chocolate crème brûlée once in a while. Even though this dessert is high in calories and sugar, you can always make healthy ingredient swaps to improve the recipe and suit your own lifestyle. Try substituting the granulated sugar with organic coconut sugar, using regular espresso powder instead of instant espresso powder, and swapping semi-sweet chocolate for dark chocolate.
What Is Crème Brûlée?
If you haven’t tried a traditional crème brûlée dessert yet, you’re missing out. This French dessert is made of custard, lightly baked and topped with a caramelized sugary layer. In French, the name means “burnt cream”, because it literally is! But trust me when I tell you that there’s nothing bad or “burnt” tasting about this dish. It’s a deliciously divine dessert, and it’s only made more so with the added chocolate element this recipe brings.
How do I store leftovers?
Wrap the ramekin in plastic wrap or place your crème brûlée in an airtight container and refrigerate. Although the sugar top won’t stay hardened, the dish will still be tasty and safe to eat for 2-4 days!
Serving Suggestions
Now that you know how to make this romantic dessert, you need a meal that equally impresses. Start with a lightly sweet Strawberry Walnut Salad, and an appetizer of Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms. Then, nothing says “romance” like a classic Steak and Lobster Tail combo, served with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Sautéed Broccolini. Finally, close out the meal with your chocolate crème brûlée, topped with berries and served with some freshly brewed coffee (or a nice red wine, if you’re in the mood!)
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chopped
- 5 large egg yolks
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 1/2 teaspoons cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon instant espresso powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar for sprinkling
- Fresh fruit for topping optional
Instructions
- Begin by preheating the oven to 300°F. Set a kitchen towel in a large roasting pan, then arrange 6 ramekins, each 4-5 ounces, on the towel.
- In a medium saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it simmers. Remove from heat and add the chopped chocolate, letting it sit to soften before stirring until smooth.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually whisk in the warm cream mixture to combine thoroughly.
- Pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove any lumps, then divide evenly among the ramekins.
- Set the pan on the oven rack and carefully pour hot water into the pan to come about halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers slightly jiggle.
- Remove the ramekins to a wire rack to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Before serving, evenly sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of sugar over each custard and use a torch to caramelize the sugar until golden. Top with fresh fruit if desired.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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