How to Make the Perfect Chocolate Pots de Creme
French · Easy · 50 min · 6 servings
These decadent chocolate pots de creme are an incredibly popular kid friendly recipe because children go absolutely wild for the intensely rich chocolate flavor. Parents love this easy baked chocolate pudding because it can be made ahead of time and impresses everyone at the table.
Why this recipe works
This Chocolate Pots de Creme recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 50 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 460 calories with 7g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 5 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 6 oz semi sweet chocolate finely chopped
- 4 whole egg yolks
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Melt the Chocolate
Preheat oven to 325F. Heat heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat until just simmering. Pour hot cream over finely chopped chocolate in a bowl and let sit for 2 minutes then stir until completely smooth and glossy.
Step 2: Make the Custard Base
Whisk egg yolks and sugar together in a separate bowl until pale and slightly thickened. Slowly pour the chocolate cream mixture into the egg mixture while whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from cooking.
Step 3: Strain and Fill
Stir vanilla extract into the chocolate custard. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher to remove any bits. Divide evenly among 6 small ramekins or espresso cups.
Step 4: Bake in Water Bath
Place ramekins in a deep baking dish and fill with hot water halfway up the sides. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until edges are set but centers still wobble slightly. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- semi sweet chocolate → milk chocolate for a sweeter milder flavor kids prefer
- heavy cream → coconut cream for a dairy free chocolate version
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Pouring the hot chocolate cream mixture too fast into eggs causing them to scramble
- Overbaking the custard so it becomes grainy rather than silky and smooth
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 460 calories, 7g protein, 30g carbs, 36g fat, 3g fiber.
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