Chocolate Espresso Creme Brulée is the perfect dessert to share with your Valentine. It's thick and creamy with a crunchy sugar topping that will make your heart swoon and your pulse race.
*Disclaimer - This recipe was originally published in 2015. I'm working hard to update all my older recipes with recipe cards, new photos, and additional recipe information. But, getting to all of them will take time. Please bear with me. In the meantime let me assure you that this recipe is still a winner and one I'm sure you'll be well pleased with when you make it at home.
Imagine sitting on a blanket by a roaring fire with the love light flickering. You both take your wine glasses, intertwine your arms, and make a toast to what you love about each other.
You sip.
You savor.
And then you both take your spoons and crack into the sugary glass-like coating that covers the silkiest and smooth chocolate espresso creme brulee you've ever tasted.
You feed each other.
One spoonful. Two spoonfuls.
One swoon.
Two swoons.
The slight hint of espresso in the creamy creme brulee matches perfectly with the richness of the chocolate.
You both sip the sweet red wine.
One sip.
Two sips.
The sweet red wine is the kiss on your lips, at the end of the night you've dreamt about all day long!
Throughout the years, my husband and I have never been big on the "traditional" Valentine's Day celebrations.
I think I can count on one hand the times we went out to celebrate at a restaurant, and those days were before we had kids.
While we have both always enjoyed going out to eat a good meal at a restaurant, there always seems to be too much pressure (not to mention the crowds) on Valentine's day itself.
It's that reason alone that we've always celebrated at home with an extravagant home-cooked meal and a luscious dessert.
When our kids were little, dinner and desserts were always tailored to their tastes and preferences. A box of heart chocolates, a little Valentine-themed toy, or a mylar balloon always garnished their dinner plates and the dinner table.
The memories I have of those times are priceless. If I could step back in time to those days, I would do it in a heartbeat.
These days our kids are grown, and my husband and I get to do more extravagant Valentine's dinners.
Things like lobster, beef tenderloin, and filet mignon steaks have all graced our Valentine's dinner table.
Along with fabulous, luscious desserts, like Chocolate Espresso Creme Brulee to end our meal, and the sweet red wine to get things started. *wink, wink*
If you've never made creme brulée before, please don't be intimidated by it.
It's super simple to make, and the crunchy sugar coating on top can be made by placing the cooked creme brulée under the broiler until the sugar caramelizes and melts.
Or, you can use a handy dandy kitchen blow torch (like I did) that only adds to the fun and excitement of this memorable dessert.
Either way, I urge you to make this recipe and share it with someone you love this Valentine's Day!
CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO CREME BRULEE {PRINT THIS RECIPE}
Serves: 4 Prep and Bake Time: 90 minutes
2 cups heavy cream
1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
6 egg yolks (reserve the whites for another use)
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 additional tablespoons granulated sugar (to caramelize the tops)
-Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
-In a medium saucepan, combine the cream and espresso powder. Bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the espresso powder. Remove from heat.
-Add the chopped chocolate to the hot cream and whisk until smooth and melted.
-In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks, 3 tablespoons sugar, and vanilla until well blended.
-Stir 3 tablespoons of the hot cream mixture into the egg yolk mixture (to temper the eggs so they don't scramble) and then pour the remaining cream mixture into the egg yolk mixture and whisk to combine.
-Divide the creme bruée mixture evenly among 4 ramekins or custard cups. Place the cups into a large oven-proof dish and fill the dish with boiling hot water (also known as a bain-marie) that reaches about halfway up the ramekins. Be careful not to pour any of the hot water into the ramekins themselves.
-Bake the creme brulé in a preheated oven until the edges are set but the center is still a little loose (approximately 50 minutes).
-Carefully remove the cups from the water bath and allow the custard to cool slightly.
-Meanwhile, top each creme brulée with 1 tablespoon of sugar and place them under the broiler to caramelize, or use a kitchen blowtorch to caramelize the sugar. Cool slightly before serving.
-These custards can be served warm or chilled. Chill for no longer than two days in the refrigerator or the sugar topping will become soft.
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- Heat the heavy cream and espresso powder in a saucepan, whisking to combine.
- Add the chopped chocolate and whisk until smooth.
- Remove from heat.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla.
- Temper the egg yolk mixture by adding 3 tablespoons of hot cream into the egg yolks.
- Whisk to combine.
- Pour the remaining hot cream mixture into the egg mixture.
- If desired, pour the custard mixture into something with a pour spout to make it easier to fill the custard cups.
- Fill 4 custard cups (ramekins) with the custard mixture.
- Place the ramekins into a large oven-proof pan and fill the pan halfway full with boiling water making sure not to get any water into the ramekins.
- Carefully place the pan into a preheated 300-degree oven and bake until the outer edges of the custards are set but the inside is still slightly loose.
- Cool slightly and then sprinkle 1 tablespoon sugar evenly over each custard.
- Place the creme Brulée under the broiler to caramelize or use a small kitchen blow torch to melt and caramelize the sugar.
- Cool slightly and serve warm or cool.
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
Kellie Hemmerly says
This sounds heavenly, my first Valentine's Day dessert fail was a creme brûlée....I have yet to make it again since then. (15 years ago.) This may just be the one that gets me back on the horse!
LoveCompassionateLee says
Creme brûlée is definitely the perfect Valentine's Day dessert! I cannot wait to try this recipe. Happy Wednesday 🙂
Kim Bee says
My hubby would love his one. He's a big coffee guy. I love creme brulee, there is something about the sound of that first crack as you break the seal. It just makes me so happy. I'm like you guys, I am not into all the traditional valentines stuff. I hate crowds so I would much rather stay home, order in and rent a movie. That's romance for me. Even better if I get to stay in my jammies.
Peaceful Cooking Danielle Nichols says
I've never made creme brulee before. I think it's because I've been waiting for THIS recipe! I can't wait to try it!!!!!!!!!
Souffle Bombay says
Mmmm that wine looks good! Creme Brulee is my out to dinner treat...so I won't make it, lol! If I did, I would never leave the house!
Angie Barrett says
That IS what Valentines is suppose to feel like! I bet this Chocolate Espresso Creme Brulee is way better than regular creme brulee!
Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch says
Such a wonderful flavor combo! Love it!
Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez says
Oh yes, that is exactly what Valentine's Day is supposed to taste like! I love creme brulee almost more than any other dessert....it makes me giddy to crack through that top. This looks so darn good!
Bea @ The Not So Cheesy Kitchen says
Creme Brûlée is one of my absolute favorite desserts.
Lauren Everson says
What a stunning dessert. I've never made creme brulee, but I know my husband would love it if I did! Maybe one day... and when that day comes I'll come back to this recipe!
Lauren says
creme brulee is my favorite dessert. And coffee is just my favorite. So yeah, I'm totally loving this!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
This is a great Valentine's Day dessert! I have actually never made creme brulee before!
The Food Hunter says
My husband is going to love this.
Nutmeg Nanny says
I love creme brulee! I have only ever made it once and it was less than stellar...haha. We ran out of ramekins so we put the rest of the cream mixture in a 8x8 pan and made one super giant creme brulee...lol. Your version looks to have turned out perfect!
Brenda@SugarFreeMom says
I have never made creme brulee! I want too, it's been on my foodie bucket list forever! The flavors of yours so wonderful!
Ginny McMeans says
Will you be my Valentine? Love the chocolate!
Angie says
This creme brûlée is perfect! I love making a homemade meal on valentines day too, it's so much better than getting disappointed at a nice restaurant that's so busy they inevitably make mistakes.
Isabel Reis Laessig says
I have been thinking about this deliciousness since you first posted the title and I can't wait to make it. Looks amazing.
Cookin' Canuck says
Now that is the perfect description of a Valentine's Day scene! And these brûlées are everything that a Valentine's dessert should be.
Back for Seconds says
Ph boy. This is making my heart pitter patter 🙂 Looks divine!
Alida says
Oh how I need this delicious creme brulee in my life...I love the flavor combination!
Susan Pridmore says
For years, I ordered creme brûlée anytime I saw it on the menu. It didn't even matter if I was still hungry - which truthfully has nothing to do with eating dessert anyway. But in all those years, I don't think I ever had a dark chocolate one! I missed out! I would LOVE it.
Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Wow! I have always wanted to make Creme Brulee! Yours is simply perfect!
Life Tastes Good says
Creme Brulee is so decadent! Can you believe I've never made it before? I need to change that and also need one of those kitchen torches! That would be dangerous haha
Renee says
So would it be bad thing if I made this and kept it all for myself? Yea, I know... mighty selfish and not what one should do for Valentine's Day.
Liz Berg says
Can you believe I've never made a dark chocolate creme brulee? That has GOT to change! What a terrific V-Day dessert!!!