• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Healthy Recipes Blog
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility Statement
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility Statement
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Dessert Recipes » Chocolate Custard

    Chocolate Custard

    Last updated: May 30, 2022 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

    Jump to Recipe Card

    This chocolate custard is dark, rich, and intense. Its texture is wonderfully smooth and silky.

    It's surprisingly easy to make, and it's definitely one of my favorite chocolate desserts!

    Chocolate custard served in a white ramekin with a spoon.

    Do you love chocolate? I think most of us do. There's something about it that's more than its sweetness. People really do crave chocolate.

    It's no wonder I have so many chocolaty desserts on this website! From chocolate pie to chocolate cake, and even - for my snack - chocolate yogurt. I love them all. But this custard is one of my favorites. It's very grown-up - rich, decadent, and intensely chocolatey.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Expert tip
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Variations
    • Serving suggestions
    • Storing leftovers
    • Related recipes
    • Recipe card

    Ingredients

    You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty dessert. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

    Milk: You should definitely use whole milk in this recipe.

    Dark chocolate: The darker you can go and still enjoy it, the better.

    Sweetener: I use stevia, but you can use any granulated sweetener instead.

    Egg yolks: See the suggestions below on what to do with the leftover egg whites.

    Vanilla extract: Try to use the real thing - pure vanilla extract - and not the artificially flavored stuff.

    Instructions

    Making this chocolate custard is surprisingly easy. Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:

    First, bring the milk to a simmer, then add the chocolate and sweetener.

    Whisk the mixture until very smooth. Remove from heat and allow to slightly cool, then whisk the egg yolks and vanilla.

    Very slowly, whisking constantly, add the chocolate mixture to the egg mixture.

    A photo collage showing steps 1-4 for making chocolate custard.

    Pour the mixture into a measuring glass, then pour it into four ramekins that you've placed in a baking dish.

    Pour hot water into the pan to create a water bath for the custard.

    Bake until set, 25-30 minutes at 300°F.

    A photo collage showing steps 5-8 for making chocolate custard.

    Expert tip

    The step of very slowly whisking the warm chocolate mixture into the eggs is called tempering. The idea is to try and prevent the eggs from cooking in the warm liquid and turning into scrambled eggs.

    Technically, you would first whisk some of the chocolate into the eggs, then whisk that mixture back into the chocolate mixture. I do it a little differently, as you can see in the instructions and in the video below. But the idea is the same.

    Still, it's not a bad idea to strain the mixture before pouring it into the ramekins, because tiny bits of cooked egg might be in there. If your mixture isn't too thick to strain, I highly recommend you do it.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is it difficult to make custard?

    Not really. You just need to follow the steps methodically, much like any baking recipe.

    I used to be scared of making custard. It seemed so complicated - tempering the eggs, baking in a water bath. But in reality, making it is quite easy.

    Just follow the simple instructions below and you'll be rewarded with a rich, velvety, and chocolaty dessert.

    Can I bake the custard directly on the oven rack?

    I don't recommend that. When you pour hot water halfway up the sides of the ramekins, you create a water bath.

    This hot water bath insulates the chocolate custard from the direct heat of the oven and promotes even cooking, so the edges won’t overcook before the center is done.

    Many people use the same technique when baking a cheesecake, which is, in fact, a type of custard too.

    What sweetener should I use?

    I use stevia when making this recipe. You can use a granulated sweetener instead (such as erythritol), and you can use sugar if you don't mind the carbs. The nutrition info below assumes stevia.

    What to do with the extra egg whites?

    I have a few great recipes that will help you use up those extra egg whites! Egg white muffins, egg white frittata, and egg white omelet. They are all very tasty and very easy to make.

    Variations

    The best way to vary this recipe is to use different flavor extracts. So instead of vanilla extract, you could use almond extract, coconut extract, or orange extract.

    If you opt for any of these flavors, I recommend using just one teaspoon of them, not an entire tablespoon.

    Serving suggestions

    This rich dessert is excellent all by itself. If you'd like to add something, you can top it with some whipped cream and berries. It's also good with a drizzle of warm peanut butter.

    Storing leftovers

    You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days. But this custard is best when served fresh.

    Chocolate custard served in a white ramekin with a spoon.

    Related recipes

    • Keto Chocolate Mug Cake
    • Keto Chocolate Mousse
    • Chocolate-Covered Blueberries
    • Avocado Chocolate Mousse

    👩🏻‍🍳 I typically publish a new or an updated recipe once a week. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Recipe card

    Chocolate custard.
    4.95 from 97 votes
    Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Print Recipe

    Chocolate Custard

    This chocolate custard is dark, rich, and intense. Its texture is smooth and silky. It's one of my favorite chocolate desserts!
    Prep Time30 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Rest time1 hr 30 mins
    Total Time2 hrs 30 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 302kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    INGREDIENTS

    • 1 cup whole milk
    • 5 oz dark chocolate such as Lindt 85%, broken into pieces
    • ½ cup granulated sweetener (or the equivalent in stevia)
    • 4 large egg yolks
    • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

    INSTRUCTIONS

    • Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F. Fill a kettle with water and boil the water, turning the heat off when the water has boiled.
    • In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the milk to a simmer. Add the chocolate and the sweetener. Reduce the heat to low. Whisk until the chocolate and sweetener melt completely and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool a couple of minutes.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and vanilla. Pour a tablespoon of the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, whisking vigorously. Keep pouring the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, very slowly, constantly whisking. This technique is called tempering and it helps make sure the eggs won’t turn into scrambled eggs.
    • Place four (4 oz) ovenproof ramekins in a rimmed baking dish. Pour the custard mixture (ideally through a strainer) into a measuring glass (just in case you have a few bits of cooked eggs in there). Pour the mixture into the ramekins. Pour the still-hot water that you had previously boiled into the pan so it comes halfway up the sides of the ramekins. This hot water bath insulates the custard from the direct heat of the oven and promotes even cooking, so the edges won’t overcook before the center is done.
    • Bake the chocolate custard, uncovered, until set, 25-30 minutes. Carefully remove the ramekins from the pan (they'll be very hot), place them on a cooling rack, and allow them to cool to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate the custard for at least 1 hour before serving.

    WATCH THE VIDEO:

    NOTES

    The video above shows me making half the recipe. 
    I use stevia when making this recipe. You can use a granulated sweetener instead (such as erythritol), and you can use sugar if you don't mind the carbs. The nutrition info assumes stevia.

    ADD YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes. They're only visible to you. If you clear your browser's cache, they'll be lost.
    DISCLAIMERSMost of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

    NUTRITION PER SERVING

    Serving: 0.25recipe | Calories: 302kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Sodium: 46mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g
    NEVER MISS A RECIPE! I typically publish a new or updated recipe once a week. Want them in your inbox? Subscribe!
    Pinterest icon Facebook icon Youtube icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Tiktok icon

    ❤️ Let's connect! Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter.

    More Low-Carb Desserts

    • Keto Mug Cake
    • Keto Brownies
    • Keto Cookie Dough
    • Keto Strawberry Shortcake

    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Vered DeLeeuw.

    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered Deleeuw. It features real-food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


    subscribe to healthy recipes blog
    Pinterest icon Facebook icon Youtube icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Tiktok icon


    Warm up with some soup!

    • Creamy Cauliflower Soup
    • Easy Tomato Soup
    • Egg Drop Soup
    • Cream of Broccoli Soup
    • Cabbage Soup
    • Butternut Squash Soup
    • Cream of Mushroom Soup
    • Easy Hamburger Soup

    Footer

    Media mentions

    Media mentions of Healthy Recipes Blog: logos

    The information on this website has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease.


    By accessing or using this website, you agree to abide by the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.


    Copyright © 2023