Dark Chocolate Pot de Crème with Single Cherry
A refined dessert where rich chocolate custard sets perfectly, topped with a single maraschino cherry for a touch of elegance. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes layers dark chocolate, heavy cream, whole milk into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 oz dark chocolate
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 maraschino cherry
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Place four 6-ounce ramekins in a baking dish. Melt 4 oz finely chopped dark chocolate with 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/4 cup whole milk in a heatproof bowl over simmering water, stirring until smooth.
- Step 2: Whisk 2 egg yolks, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract until pale and thickened. Slowly pour melted chocolate mixture into egg mixture while whisking constantly.
- Step 3: Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into ramekins. Place baking dish on oven rack and add hot water to reach halfway up ramekin sides. Bake for 30-35 minutes until edges are set but center is slightly jiggly. Cool, then chill 4 hours. Garnish with 1 maraschino cherry before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dark Chocolate Pot de Crème with Single Cherry take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Dark Chocolate Pot de Crème with Single Cherry?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Dark Chocolate Pot de Crème with Single Cherry?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Dark Chocolate Pot de Crème with Single Cherry for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Dark Chocolate Pot de Crème with Single Cherry?
French desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This recipe is perfect for impressing guests! The chocolate was smooth and the cherry added a beautiful touch.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my daughter's birthday and she loved it! The texture was silky.
- ★★★★☆
The pot de crème was rich, but the chocolate was a bit bitter for my taste. The cherry was a nice touch.
