Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Chocolate Flans



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This is a chocolate pudding unlike any you've ever had before. It's a signature dessert at Cibrèo, a well-known trattoria near the outdoor market in Florence. Unlike most puddings, this silken, barely sweet budini is served warm with sweet cream on the side. The flavor is rich, the texture is creamy and the bittersweet taste of good chocolate will bring cioccolato fans to their knees. It is that good. It is, alas, despite the true ease with which its made, not something you'll prepare often. The silken texture of the baked custard comes from copious quantities of cream and eggs that only marathon runners can handle on a regular basis. I've tried to make healthier substitutions for the more egregious ingredients but it simply doesn't work. So, Bob and I have this once a year, in smaller portions than recommended in the recipe, and, when I make this for us, I cut the recipe in half to make four 6-ounce servings. There's no reason to give temptation free reign in the refrigerator. If you like chocolate you'll love this dessert. Here's the recipe for the pudding as it is served at Cibrèo.

Chocolate Flans ...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite, inspired by Patricia Wells

Ingredients:

Nonstick spray or butter to prepare ramekins
8 ounces top quality bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
2/3 cup whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup espresso or strong coffee
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 large egg yolks, room temperature
Optional garnish: whipped cream, cocoa powder

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray or butter six (1-cup) ramekins and place them in a roasting pan large enough to hold them without their sides touching. Put a kettle of water on to boil.
2) Combine chocolate and milk in a heavy bottomed saucepan. Cook over low heat to melt chocolate. Remove from heat source and let cool for 5 minutes.
3) Whisk remaining ingredients into pan until blended. If you wish, strain custard before pouring into ramekins. Transfer roasting pan, containing ramekins, to oven. Add boiling water to roasting pan until it reaches halfway up sides of ramekins. Bake until edges of flans are set but center still trembles, about 45 to 50 minutes.
4) Carefully remove custards from oven. Serve warm or at room temperature. Garnish with heavy cream and cocoa powder if desired. Yield: 6 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Lemon Pudding - One Perfect Bite
Double Chocolate Pudding - One Perfect Bite
Butterscotch Pudding - One Perfect Bite

43 comments :

Federica Simoni said...

goloso goloso goloso!!!! baci!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

You had me at Cibreo - one of my favorite places to eat. Seriously delicious dessert.

Debbi Does Dinner Healthy said...

That sounds seriously good. Holy cow, I don't think I'd dare. Maybe for company...

Namitha said...

That looks divine to me :-) awesome dessert...

Angie's Recipes said...

Mary, this looks truly delectable!

Rita said...

What a perfect dessert:thank you for your recipe.
Rita

♥ Kathy said...

I'm drooling!

Charo said...

My daughter will like it!!!

Hugs
Charo

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

just want to check... you cut this recipe in half??? and that makes a single serving for each???

it looks terrific... and your writing makes this something I HAVE to make soon

The Red Umbrella said...

I just want to dive in!

♥Sugar♥Plum♥Fairy♥ said...

I love Flans and ur chocolate flan sound interesting ...
Very delicious..
U could join http://havethecake.blogspot.com/ ,they are whipping a flan this month and so perfect for u to join the group with ur super luscious one :-)))

Mary Bergfeld said...

Dave, half the recipe will make 4 6-oz. servings. I should make that more clear in my intro. Thanks for pointing out the confusion that might occur.

Unknown said...

Mary, that looks heavenly...
I hope you had a great Easter weekend (which I'm sure).

Allie and Pattie said...

Fabulous! And as a trainer I call this "job security"!
xoxo Pattie

Jen_from_NJ said...

Wow - this looks fabulous. I will try out your recipe the next time I need a special dessert for company or simply want to splurge!

drew said...

It looks perfect.

Barbara said...

Oh my. I am postively drooling, Mary. And I have already copied it, but will heed your advice about not making the full recipe!
I wouldn't dare.

Kim said...

Your description of this flan is making me want to lick my lips! It looks wonderful and creamy.

The Blonde Duck said...

I am a flan loving fool.

Rambling Tart said...

Oh Mary, this is amazing!! :-) I can't wait to make this for my guests. :-) I think a birthday party I'm hosting next week may be just the ticket. :-)

Juliana said...

Mary, I love flan and even more when it is chocolate, like the idea of adding coffee, must taste so yummie :-)

Dewi said...

Oh my goodness Mary, I never made chocolate flan before. I love chocolate, so I am bookmarking this one.

Family Lawyers Gold Coast said...

It amazing pretty chocolate cake.

Unknown said...

ooh, this sounds delicious, and makes me excited as i'm going to italy soon! need to get planning ;)

Nicole said...

when I think of flan, I certainly do not think of something that looks and sounds this good! I would love to give this a try!

Velva said...

This would be a chocolate lovers dream. I would be in love with the creamy, silky texture.

It is beautiful Mary.

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

My family love chocolate, i'm sure they will like this. Thanks for sharing!

Chef Aimee said...

This IS the perfect bite for a dessert, that is for sure!

sweetlife said...

how lovely..what a great recipe..thanks for sharing

sweetlife

Arlette said...

This is a heavenly dessert...
Never made a chocolate version before... and looking at yours, and drilling, wishing for a taste... I have to try this now.

Krista said...

Your description actually had me drooling. I love flan and this looks and sounds amazing!

Sushma Mallya said...

Very beautiful desesrt..

oneordinaryday said...

Oh, this sounds absolutely decadent.

MaryMoh said...

Wow....so rich and high in calories!! Now I'm wondering whether I dare to try. Maybe eat once a year like you :D

DailyChef said...

You had me at "This is a chocolate pudding unlike any you've ever had before." I'm currently drooling.

Olive said...

ohh..flan is my fave, chocolate is my addiction..this is killing me!! I agree with you, this is not something to have often..sigh :)

My Little Space said...

Did you just say 'chocolate'? Hmm...mm... so seducing!

Diana's Cocina said...

Mary this sounds absolutely amazing.

Louis la Vache said...

This looks fabulous! «Louis» is going to make this this weekend along with the timbales. You might say «Louis» is on a custard binge...both sweet and savory...

Mila said...

OH WOW! I love this! I have been looking for a new individual dessert and I think I found one!
Thanks Mary!

Alicia Foodycat said...

They look absolutely mouthwatering! I love custardy desserts.

Kilby Beisner said...

Can I make this with unsweetened cocoa powder?

Mary Bergfeld said...

Kilby, I wouldn't recommend trying it. It would be necessary to add butter or fat and sugar to the powder and because the recipe uses bittersweet chocolate it would be too hard to get the taste and texture right. Have a good day. Blessings...Mary

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