Baked Chocolate Custard - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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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!

Baked Chocolate Custard - Healthy Recipes Blog (1)

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
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • 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.

Baked Chocolate Custard - Healthy Recipes Blog (2)

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.

Baked Chocolate Custard - Healthy Recipes Blog (3)

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.

Baked Chocolate Custard - Healthy Recipes Blog (4)
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Recipe Card

Baked Chocolate Custard - Healthy Recipes Blog (9)

4.96 from 104 votes

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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 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Rest time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 302kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

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°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 sweetener. Reduce the heat to low. Whisk until the chocolate and sweetener melt completely and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 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. It helps make sure the eggs won’t turn into scrambled eggs.

  • Place four (4-ounce) 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, ensuring the edges won’t overcook before the center is done.

  • Bake the custard, uncovered, until set, for 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 an hour before serving.

Video

Notes

  • The video above shows me making half the recipe.
  • I use 1.5 teaspoons of stevia glycerite when making this recipe. You can use a granulated sweetener instead (such as erythritol) or sugar if you don't mind the carbs. The nutrition info assumes that stevia was used.
  • You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to three days. However, this custard is best when served fresh.

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Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 0.25recipe | Calories: 302kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Sodium: 46mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g

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Disclaimers

Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my 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 these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

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About the Author

Baked Chocolate Custard - Healthy Recipes Blog (20) 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.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. Starlene

    Hi, what kind of stevia did you use and how much?

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I use 1.5 teaspoons of stevia glycerite. Thank you for the question - I added the info to the recipe card.

      Reply

Baked Chocolate Custard - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between baked custard and custard? ›

There are two types of custard. Stirred custards are cooked in a saucepan until thick but still liquid in consistency, while baked custards are usually cooked in ovenproof dishes in a water bath or bain-marie until set. Custard is widely available in supermarkets.

What makes custard healthy? ›

Custards can fit into a healthy diet, but it's important to watch out for how many calories and sugars you're eating and try to make healthier choices when you can. However, custard isn't just about calories and sugar. It also contains nutrients like protein, calcium, and vitamins that are important for your body.

What's the difference between pudding and custard? ›

Custard primarily relies on eggs and dairy, while pudding uses milk or cream, sugar, and a starch thickener like cornstarch or tapioca. Custard tends to be smoother and more velvety due to the egg content, whereas pudding has a thicker, more gelatinous consistency because of the added starch.

What is custard powder? ›

Custard powder and instant custard powder are the generic product names for similar and competing products. The product is a powder, based on cornflour, which thickens to form a custard-like sauce when mixed with milk and heated.

Is custard healthier then ice cream? ›

Nutritional Value

Frozen custard is higher in fat and calories than ice cream. This is because of the egg yolks and heavy cream used in its recipe. Frozen custard is also typically denser than ice cream, which means it is more calorie-dense. Ice cream is typically lower in fat and calories than frozen custard.

What are the three types of custards? ›

There are three types of custard: baked, stirred, and frozen. Baked custards include bread pudding, flan, and cheesecake, and are prepared by baking in an oven or water bath. Boiled Custards include beverages like eggnog. Puddings, creme anglaise (krem on-GLAYZ), and pastry cream are some examples of stirred custards.

Is custard healthy or unhealthy? ›

Consuming custard can provide a few health benefits. Custard contains calcium, which is essential for strong bones and healthy teeth. Additionally, custard is a good source of protein and dietary fiber for those trying to shed some extra pounds. Eating custard can also give a quick energy boost from its carbohydrates.

Can I eat custard during weight loss? ›

Fruit custard with stevia is a delicious and healthy dessert that can help with weight loss. Here are some of the health benefits of this dessert: 1. Low In Calories: Fruit custard with stevia is a low-calorie food that can satisfy your sweet tooth without adding extra calories to your diet.

Is custard more fattening than yogurt? ›

Frozen custard uses a minimum of 1.4 percent of egg yolk solids in addition to the 10 percent milk fat of a traditional ice cream. While this is responsible for custard's creamy, thick texture, it does equate to higher calories than a frozen yogurt.

Is chocolate custard the same as chocolate pudding? ›

While most custard and pudding recipes both typically call for eggs, the main difference is that pudding uses a starch for thickening, whereas custard's thickening agent is the egg itself (or egg yolk, in most instances). Custard's texture also tends to be firmer than pudding.

What do Americans call custard? ›

Custard is a thing in the U.S. but we usually associate the word custard with a thick pudding rather than custard sauce.

Is creme brulee made from custard? ›

At its most basic, crème brûlée is a creamy, pudding-like, baked custard with a brittle top of melted sugar that cracks when you gently tap it with a spoon. The custard is made with heavy cream, eggs, sugar, and vanilla.

What is the American equivalent of custard powder? ›

If a recipe lists custard powder and you don't have any, you can make some simple swaps to achieve the same effect. For each tablespoon of custard powder that's called for in your recipe, you can make your own custard mix with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch plus 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of fine salt.

Why do Chinese use custard powder? ›

Why is custard powder used? It's used for serveal reasons; it's used for colour, with out it the batter will not brown, its also adds sweetness without using sugar that can burn and give a light eggy flavour.

Is custard powder just cornstarch? ›

So while custard powder typically contains cornstarch, flavorings, and coloring agents, tapioca powder is made solely from cassava starch.

Why does baked custard separate? ›

Make sure to use fresh eggs, high-quality dairy products, and a good quality vanilla extract. If you use low-quality ingredients, your custard may curdle or separate. Custard is a delicate mixture that requires gentle heat. Overheating the custard can cause it to curdle or separate.

What are the characteristics of baked custard? ›

Characteristics of baked custard  firmness of shape  smooth, tender texture  rich and creamy consistency  excellent flavor Characteristics of soft custard  velvety smooth texture  rich flavor  has pouring consistency of heavy cream E.

What is the difference between a stirred custard and a baked custard quizlet? ›

Stirred custard tends to be soft, rich and creamy. The texture and richness depends on the amount of eggs used in correlation to the richness of the cream vs. milk and sugar. Baked Custards are usually prepared in a water bath in the oven, is usually firm enough to unmold and slice.

Is crème patisserie considered a stirred custard or a baked custard? ›

Pastry cream, also called crème pâtissière, is a versatile component in a baker's toolbox. Cooked on the stovetop, it's a custard akin to pudding, with a rich taste and a creamy texture that's thick enough to hold its shape.

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