Decadent Chocolate Mint Crème Brûlée
Indulge in the rich and creamy delight of Decadent Chocolate Mint Crème Brûlée, where velvety bittersweet chocolate meets a refreshing hint of peppermint. This elegant dessert will impress your guests with its silky texture and delightful contrast of flavors. With a perfectly caramelized sugar top, each spoonful is a luxurious experience. Perfect for holiday gatherings or special occasions, this recipe yields four servings, ensuring there's enough to share, or to keep all for yourself!
4
Servings
200
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Heavy cream
2 cups (None)
Bittersweet chocolate chips
3 ounces (None)
Egg yolks
6 (Separate the yolks from the whites)
Sugar
2 tablespoons (None)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (None)
Peppermint oil
1 drop (None)
Candy canes
2 (Crushed, for garnish)
Sugar for topping
2 tablespoons (None)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium-low heat until it starts to steam and is just below boiling. Remove from heat and add the vanilla extract and peppermint oil, stirring to combine.
2
Add the bittersweet chocolate chips to the cream mixture, stirring until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and mixed well.
3
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until well combined and slightly pale in color.
4
Gradually pour the warm chocolate cream mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly to temper the eggs and prevent curdling.
5
Once fully combined, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to ensure a velvety texture, then evenly divide the custard mixture into four ramekins.
6
Place the ramekins in a large lasagna pan and carefully add hot water to the pan, filling until it reaches about three-quarters of the way up the sides of the ramekins to create a water bath.
7
Bake in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 30 minutes, or until the custard is set around the edges but still slightly jiggly in the center.
8
Remove the ramekins from the water bath and let them cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or up to 3 days ahead of serving.
9
Before serving, crush the candy canes into small pieces and spread a thin layer of sugar (about half a tablespoon) evenly over the top of each chilled custard.
10
Using a kitchen torch or the broiler, caramelize the sugar until it turns golden brown and crispy, being careful not to burn it. Allow the crème brûlée to sit for 1-2 minutes to cool before garnishing with crushed candy canes.
11
Serve and enjoy the delightful contrast of textures and flavors!
Nutrition Information
15g
Fat
15g
Carbs
2.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How many servings does the Decadent Chocolate Mint Crème Brûlée recipe make?
This recipe yields four servings.
What type of chocolate is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips.
How many egg yolks are required?
You will need 6 egg yolks, separated from the whites.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 325°F (160°C).
How long does the crème brûlée need to bake?
Bake for about 30 minutes until the edges are set but the center is still slightly jiggly.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 200 calories.
How much fat is in one serving?
Each serving contains 15g of fat.
How many grams of carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 15g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content of this dessert?
This recipe provides 2.5g of protein per serving.
How long should the custard chill before serving?
The custard should be refrigerated for at least 4 hours, and up to 3 days.
What is the purpose of the water bath during baking?
The water bath ensures even cooking and prevents the custard from curdling or cracking.
How much water should be added to the lasagna pan for the water bath?
Add hot water until it reaches about three-quarters of the way up the sides of the ramekins.
Why should the custard mixture be strained?
Straining the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve ensures a velvety and smooth texture.
What is the best way to caramelize the sugar topping?
You can use a kitchen torch or a broiler until the sugar turns golden brown and crispy.
How much sugar is used for the custard base versus the topping?
Two tablespoons of sugar are used in the custard mixture, and another two tablespoons are reserved for the topping.
When should the candy canes be added?
Crush the candy canes and use them as a garnish after the sugar has been caramelized and cooled for 1-2 minutes.
What type of peppermint flavoring is used?
The recipe specifies using 1 drop of peppermint oil.
Can I use vanilla extract in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe requires 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
How do you temper the eggs?
Gradually pour the warm chocolate cream mixture into the egg yolks while whisking constantly.
What is the first step in preparing the cream?
Heat the heavy cream over medium-low heat until it starts to steam and is just below boiling.
Should the custard be covered in the refrigerator?
Yes, once cooled on a wire rack, cover the ramekins with plastic wrap before refrigerating.
What consistency should the egg yolk and sugar mixture have?
Whisk them together until they are well combined and slightly pale in color.
How much heavy cream is needed?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of heavy cream.
Is this recipe suitable for holidays?
Yes, it is tagged as a holiday, gourmet, and sophisticated dessert.
What should the custard look like when it is finished baking?
It should be set around the edges but still slightly jiggly in the center.
How long should the dessert sit after torching the sugar?
Allow it to sit for 1-2 minutes to cool before adding the final garnish.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 ingredients in total.
What tools are recommended for cooling the ramekins?
The recipe recommends letting them cool on a wire rack after removing them from the water bath.
Can the candy canes be prepared in advance?
Yes, you can crush the 2 candy canes into small pieces before you are ready to serve.
What describes the overall flavor profile of this dish?
It is described as decadent, rich, and indulgent, featuring bittersweet chocolate and refreshing peppermint.