Betty’s Pots de Crème – Cookie and Kate

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We served this dessert at our wedding ceremony over three years in the past, and it’s excessive time to share the recipe with you! Our household has been calling this recipe “chocolate mousse” for years however it’s a lot nearer to a French recipe known as pots de crème, which interprets to jars of cream. 

These chocolate pots de crème are luscious, creamy, wealthy, and decadent. They’re such enjoyable desserts to supply at a celebration in particular person servings. Somewhat goes a good distance, and that’s why I like them. I’d fairly have a small portion of unbelievable dessert than a big portion of so-so dessert. 

This miniature dessert comes from my husband’s Nice-Aunt Betty. I’m wondering what number of occasions Betty has whipped up this recipe in her vibrant 97 years. My husband’s mother makes them now, and also you’re virtually assured to search out these little treats of their freezer at any given time. We have been thrilled when our wedding ceremony bakery agreed to make the household recipe to serve alongside our wedding ceremony cake!

This foolproof recipe comes collectively rapidly within the blender—no baking, no straining, no fussing. Mix it up and chill it (you’ll be able to even freeze these cups for the months forward). I hope this recipe turns into one among your loved ones traditions, too.

Pots de Crème Substances

Chocolate Chips

Chocolate chips make this recipe tremendous straightforward. I want darker chocolate, so I like semi-sweet chocolate chips or darker. In case you want milk chocolate, select milk chocolate chips. When you have chocolate bars, you’ll be able to chop them for this recipe.

Heavy Cream

Betty’s unique recipe requires heavy cream. I haven’t tried half-and-half or something lighter, however heavy cream will definitely yield the richest, thickest, creamiest texture. It’s decadent, and that’s how we prefer it!

Sugar

Betty makes use of good old style sugar, and it produces perfect outcomes. You realize I attempt to use pure sweeteners like honey when doable, however I don’t advocate them for this recipe. They may dominate the flavour and intervene with the combination setting.

Liqueur

A splash of liqueur presents delicate, complicated taste—it’s why these pots de crème style so fascinating. You’ve gotten choices.

Betty likes crème de cocao greatest, which is a candy chocolate liqueur (it’s also possible to use it to make chocolate martinis or grasshopper cocktails). My favourite frequent liqueur is Kahlua, for a light-weight espresso undertone that ramps up the chocolate taste (it’s also possible to use Kahlua to make White Russians). Amaretto tastes like almonds, which is scrumptious! For a minty deal with, attempt crème de menthe fairly than peppermint schnapps.

You would possibly discover one other good choice in your liquor cupboard, however undoubtedly select a decrease ABV liqueur fairly than a full-strength liquor. For instance, I attempted bourbon, however it dominated the flavour and the robust style of alcohol was disagreeable.

In search of an alcohol-free choice? Substitute it with extra orange juice.

Orange Juice

Orange juice is the second secret ingredient that makes this recipe style so particular! You’ll simply want two tablespoons. I don’t normally purchase orange juice, so I simply purchase an orange and squeeze what I would like.

Eggs and Egg Yolks

This recipe makes use of two eggs for richness, plus two extra egg whites for further quantity. You’ll have two further egg yolks, which you’ll hold within the fridge for a day or two and add to your subsequent batch of scrambled eggs.

This recipe makes use of uncooked eggs, which has by no means brought about our household hurt, however there may be at all times a slight threat of salmonella poisoning with uncooked eggs (one in 20,000). To mitigate this threat, you should purchase pasteurized eggs on the retailer, or pasteurize your personal eggs earlier than making this recipe. Right here’s the CDC’s info on egg security.

Vanilla Extract

Lastly, a splash of vanilla extract lends extra complexity to this wealthy chocolate dessert. Vanilla and chocolate have been made for every one other.

Watch Methods to Make Pots de Crème

Serving Cup & Spoon Strategies

Select small glasses with some further room inside (about 2 to 4 ounces every), do you have to select so as to add toppings. I used Crate and Barrel’s Bitty Chunk brief glasses for these photographs. Extra inexpensive choices embrace disposable plastic cups (you’ll have a lot for a number of batches) or reusable glass shot glasses.

You’ll probably have to serve these mini cups with mini spoons, also called espresso spoons or demitasse spoons. Right here’s an affordable set of twelve stainless-steel spoons. For these photographs, I used spoons like these.

Refrigerated vs. Frozen

Each choices are completely scrumptious. These photographs present the refrigerated texture, which is a shiny, thick mousse that holds its form. As proven, these cups have been refrigerated for the minimal time of 1 hour, however they agency up a bit extra in one other hour or two.

The frozen choice is very nice as a result of the cups will hold for as much as three months. Internet hosting an impromptu get-together? Dessert is able to go! I’d really want the frozen texture, which is dense, agency and clearly colder. My mother-in-law says it’s simpler so as to add toppings when the cups are chilly from the freezer.

To freeze, merely place the portioned cups right into a freezer-safe carton with a lid (that is simpler and extra protecting than protecting them individually with plastic wrap). Let the cups thaw briefly on the countertop or within the fridge whilst you eat dinner. The size of time will rely in your serving dimension, however it shouldn’t take longer than 15 to half-hour.

Topping Strategies

These pots de crème don’t want toppings, however it’s enjoyable to decorate them up! Usually talking, they’re pretty with tiny sprigs of mint, raspberries, whipped cream, shaved chocolate, candied orange, or a couple of enjoyable sprinkles. Listed here are a couple of vacation strategies:

• For Christmas, attempt crushed sweet canes, holly sprinkles or snowflake sprinkles, or tiny sprigs of mint with or with out raspberries.
• For Valentine’s Day, do raspberries or a couple of pink coronary heart sprinkles.
• For Easter, attempt a candy-coated almond or miniature chocolate egg sweet.
• For the Fourth of July, attempt whipped cream with a raspberry and blueberry.

Extra Chocolate Treats to Take pleasure in

Craving extra chocolate? Me, too—at all times. Listed here are a couple of simpler chocolate recipes on the weblog.

Please let me know the way Betty’s recipe seems for you within the feedback! I like listening to from you.

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