How to Make a French Dessert

Delicious pots d' creme are lusciously sweet French desserts served in small china cups. They're a decadent chocolate treat, and require only minutes to make. However, you'll need to plan ahead so that it will have time to chill.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 1 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 lb. high quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped very fine
• 2 tbsp. powdered cocoa
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 2 tbsp softened butter
• 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract, divided
• Whipping cream

1. Heat a saucepan on low heat and add the heavy cream. Allow it to heat almost to boiling but don't allow the mixture to actually boil.

2. Stir the chopped bittersweet chocolate, sugar and the powdered cocoa into the warm milk. Stir it until well combined and add the softened butter and 1 tsp. vanilla.

3. Spoon the mixture into small cups, filling them almost to the top. Cover the cups with plastic wrap.

4. Place the pots de' creme in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours and up to 3 days.

5. Place the whipping cream in a bowl with 1 tsp. of pure vanilla extract and whip it with an electric mixer on high speed. Continue mixing until the whipped cream is soft and fluffy, but not stiff.

6. Spoon a dollop of whipped cream over the pots de' creme just prior to serving.

7. Garnish with a few shavings of chocolate or dust the pots de' creme with powdered cocoa.

Tips & Warnings

• The secret to delicious pots d'creme French dessert is to use the finest chocolate you can find.