Cooks Illustrated Pots de Creme

By Carla

Forget the water bath and slow baking. We found a way to make this classic French chocolate custard faster, simpler, and better.

Ingredients

• Pots de Crème:
• 12 ounces milk chocolate , chopped fine
• 5 large egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon table salt
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 3/4 cup half-and-half
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder mixed with 1 tablespoon water
• Whipped Cream:
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (cold)
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Garnish (optional):
• Cocoa powder for dusting
• Chocolate shavings for sprinkling

Preparation

Step 1

FOR THE POTS DE CRÈME:

Place chocolate in medium heatproof bowl; set fine-mesh strainer over bowl and set aside.

Whisk yolks, sugar, and salt in medium bowl until combined; whisk in heavy cream and half-and-half. Transfer mixture to medium saucepan. Cook mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly and scraping bottom of pot with wooden spoon, until thickened and silky and custard registers 175 to 180 degrees on instant-read thermometer, 8 to 12 minutes (see photos, below). Do not let custard overcook or simmer.

Immediately pour custard through strainer over chocolate. Let mixture stand to melt chocolate, about 5 minutes. Whisk gently until smooth, then whisk in vanilla and espresso. Divide mixture evenly among eight 5-ounce ramekins. Gently tap ramekins against counter to remove air bubbles.

Cool pots de crème to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours or up to 72 hours. Before serving, let pots de crème stand at room temperature 20 to 30 minutes.

FOR THE WHIPPED CREAM:

Using hand mixer or standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat cream, sugar, and vanilla on low speed until bubbles form, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium; continue beating until beaters leave trail, about 30 seconds longer. Increase speed to high; continue beating until nearly doubled in volume and whipped cream forms soft peaks, 30 to 45 seconds longer.

Dollop each pot de crème with about 2 tablespoons whipped cream; garnish with cocoa or chocolate shavings, if using. Serve.