Dark Chocolate Creme Brulee is creamy, smooth, and full of rich chocolate. Don’t let ‘Brulee’ scare you, this dessert recipe is very easy to make!

What is creme brulee?
Crème brûlée, also known as burnt cream, Trinity cream, or crema Catalana, is a dessert consisting of a rich custard base topped with a texturally contrasting layer of hardened caramelized sugar.
This Dark Chocolate Creme Brulee is an Olympic Gold Medalist in the culinary dessert world according to Big Daddy. For someone who doesn’t like many desserts, he flips over this dessert. It’s rich and creamy yet, amazingly, light as well. It’s sweet, but not too sweet. And it’s oh-so-elegant for the fanciest dinner party.

I developed it as a Brulee with caramelized sugar on top. After trying it both with and without the caramelized sugar top, Big Daddy prefers his without. Honestly, it’s awesome either way. Do the taste test and decide for yourself.

Dark Chocolate Creme Brulee
Olympic Gold Metal

The team

The equipment

Bring cream to simmer

Add expresso and chocolate

Squeeze orange

Add vanilla to orange juice

Separate 6 eggs

Stir cream mixture

Whisk cream, chocolate, and espresso

Add egg and orange juice mixture to cream mixture

Pour mixture into a ramekin and had 1 inch of water to the pan.
While you’re here, check out these recipes
- Rocky Road Brownies
- Thick Gooey Brownies
- Dark Chocolate Brown Sugar Cookies
- Chocolate Mousse Cake
- 9 Insanely Good Brownie Recipes

Dark Chocolate Creme Brulee
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Save To Your Recipe BoxIngredients
Instructions
- You'll need a kitchen blowtorch if you plan to Brulee top
- Preheat oven 325 degrees.
- Place the ramekins in a baking pan that has 3-inch sides.
- Pour cream in a heavy saucepan and heat to simmering. Add expresso and broken chocolate. Whisk and watch closely. Do not overcook. Remove from heat. Add milk; stir.
- Temper the egg mixture with cream mixture, then stir tempered eggs into cream mixture. Whisk until everything is completely combined and smooth.
- Pour the custard into 6 ramekins in a water bath.
- Bake 30 to 35 minutes in a 325-degree oven. Custards will be set around the edges and soft in the center.
- Cool completely, then refrigerate, uncovered until cold.
- *If you wish to brulee top, sprinkle sugar evenly over top. (It may help to pick up ramekin and swirl to evenly distribute sugar) Heat with a kitchen torch until caramelized.
Nutrition
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Yanna says
What does the orange juice do to the recipe?
Paula says
gives it a little more flavor and balances the flavor
Yanna says
What if I use cocoa powder instead of espresso powder? Will it be better or worse?
Paula says
It’ll be good, not quite as rich
Monica says
Looks Fantastic I will most definitely try this 🙂
Mama Bee Simple
Debbie S. says
Wow! This looks delicious, and full detailed instructions! Guess what this chocolate lover is going to make tonite!
Paula says
Yayy! Hope you enjoy!
Felice/All That's Left Are The Crumbs says
Creme Brulee has always been one of my favorite desserts. I love that you made it with dark chocolate, that makes it healthy right? 😉 . I am looking forward to trying this recipe soon.
Paula Jones says
Thank you so much! I corrected the recipe. I really do proof read, but never caught that! thanks ~ Paula
Elizabeth Duvall says
Looks delicious! Mine is in the oven, can't wait to try it tonight! One question, you didn't instruct when to add the milk and sugar in the directions. I added them where I thought appropriate, but you might want to correct for your other readers. Thanks!
Elizabeth Duvall says
Looks delicious! Mine is in the oven, can't wait to try it this evening. One question, you don't instruct when to add the milk and sugar in the directions. I added them how I thought appropriate, but you might want to correct for your other readers. Thanks!!
Susan Zentmyer says
This looks amazingly chocolaty! I believe The Mr would love this. Thanks for bringing this to Tuesday's Table – hope you come back next week!
Robyns View says
I have never made Creme Brulee but if I do this is the recipe I will use! I love anything with chocolate! Stopping by from the Unique Sweets Dessert Challenge.
~Robyn
Four Marrs and One Venus says
Ok, yes! I love Dark Chocolate…and this looks mighty fine!
Michelles Tasty Creations says
Oh my, this looks amazing! I think I just come for a visit and you can make me all this delicious looking food, okay??? Thanks so much for sharing all your wonderful creations on Creative Thursday each week. You are appreciated 🙂 Have a wonderful week.
Jennifer aGlimpseOfOurLife says
Wow! That looks so yummy.
PMc says
Thanks, Naomi, visited your blog, I wish I could craft like you!!
PMc says
Thanks Niki!
PMc says
Thank you, sometimes I get distracted and forget the link. :/ I need to look at your ice cream recipes, I only have ONE that I like.
PMc says
You're welcome, thanks fo the invitation! I've been enjoying your post.
PMc says
Thanks! It's my husband's ALL time favorite.
Naomi says
Looking forward to trying this!
Niki says
This looks so good. Going on my must make list.
Jelli says
This is definitely a gold medal winner in my house too, one of my absolute favorite desserts. I haven't made it for awhile, so I'm happy to see this delicious recipe reminder. Currently, I've been busy churning up ice creams, but I'd LOVE to make this soon. Thanks for sharing. I found you on Michelle's link party. (Don't forget her link!)
Carole says
Thanks so much for linking this in to Food on Friday. And great that you are now following Carole's Chatter. I will add you to my blog list too.
Have a good day!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
Oh, this looks rich and sinful and perfect. Yum!