Author Notes
The inspiration for these puddingy pots de creme actually came from the fondue challenge. I submitted a savory fondue, but couldn't stop thinking about what I would make for a sweet one. As someone who typically prefers potato chips over chocolate, I knew it would need a salty element to satisfy my salty-sweet tooth.
I came up with an idea for a fondue with chocolate, chili, bacon, and sea salt but an idea was all it was. Luckily Table9 posted an awesome recipe, "Chocolate and Ancho-Chili Bacon of a Masterpiece," and I commented on how fabulous it was, right up my alley. Table9 really nailed that one.
As soon as this challenge was posted, the ever-supportive hardlikearmour messaged me: "This week's contest made me think about your comment on the chocolate/chile/bacon fondue recipe. How about creating a pudding with chocolate, chile powder, and sea salt?" And like that it came together. I couldn't leave out the bacon though...
I used Dorie Greenspan's pots de creme recipe from "Baking from My Home to Yours" as a jumping off point and made a number of adjustments (dark chocolate instead of bittersweet, less sugar, addition of chile powder and cinnamon). I love the candied bacon from Clinton Street Bakery, but wanted to incorporate some maple flavor so broiled bacon drizzled with maple syrup until crispy.
The spiced pots de creme really are very good on their own. Warm in flavor and feeling, they are both decadent and light. Although there is a generous amount of chile powder, they are spiced, not spicy. If you enjoy them straight out of the oven (after allowing them to cool slightly) they have the texture of pudding beneath the skin. Or, if you allow them to cool in the refrigerator for three hours to overnight, they will firm up slightly. Both are excellent.
I made my maple whipped cream with just a hint of maple, but you can adjust as you like. My original plan was to include the sea salt, and that is how I enjoyed it last night (you can see the salt crystals in my photo), but I actually think the bacon lends enough saltiness to the dish. I leave it up to you. The maple candied bacon would also be good crumbled on top of salads. - kmartinelli —kmartinelli
Test Kitchen Notes
Kmartinelli takes a nice simple chocolate pot de crème and spiffs it up with a wonderful combo of sweet, salty, smoky and spicy. I had some trouble with the plastic wrap melting in the oven, but foil worked well. —Stephanie Bourgeois
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Ingredients
- Candied Maple Bacon and Maple Whipped Cream
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4
strips bacon
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3 tablespoons
high quality maple syrup
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1/2 cup
heavy whipping cream
- Spiced Pots de Creme with Candied Bacon and Maple Cream
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4 ounces
dark chocolate, chopped
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1 1/2 cups
heavy cream
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1 1/2 cups
whole milk
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1
egg
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5
egg yolks
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1 tablespoon
sugar
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pinch of salt
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1 teaspoon
chile powder
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1/2 teaspoon
cinnamon
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Maple whipped cream (recipe above)
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Maple Candied Bacon, crumbled (recipe above)
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Sea salt (optional)
Directions
- Candied Maple Bacon and Maple Whipped Cream
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Preheat the broiler. Arrange the bacon on a Silpat-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the maple syrup. Broil, flipping once, until crispy and browned. Be careful not to burn. Remove from the broiler and allow to cool. Put in a container and refrigerate until ready to use.
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Put the heavy cream and remaining 1 tablespoon maple syrup in a bowl. Whisk vigorously until thickened to your liking (my electric whisk made very quick work of this).
- Spiced Pots de Creme with Candied Bacon and Maple Cream
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Preheat the oven to 325F. Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Bring 1/2 cup of the heavy cream just to a boil. Pour over the chocolate and allow to sit for 1 minute. Gently stir with a rubber spatula until combined and smooth. Set aside.
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Combine the milk and remaining 1 cup cream in a small pot and bring to a boil.
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Meanwhile, whisk the eggs, yolks, sugar, and salt until well combined and slightly thickened. While whisking, drizzle in a small amount of the hot cream mixture to temper the eggs. Slowly pour in the remaining liquid while whisking.
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Slowly whisk the egg mixture into the chocolate mixture until fully incorporated. Stir in the chile powder and cinnamon.
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Pour the custard into 6 to 8 ramekins, pots de creme cups, or other small oven-safe vessels. Transfer the ramekins to a roasting or baking pan. Pour in hot water until it comes halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, poke two holes in opposite corners, and carefully put in the oven.
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Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the tops are slightly darkened and the pudding jiggles lightly when shaken.
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Carefully remove the pan from the oven. Allow to cool, still covered in plastic wrap and in the water bath, for at least 10 minutes. Uncover, remove from the pan, and allow to cool to room temperature. Pots de creme can either be served now or refrigerated for later.
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To serve, spoon a dollop of maple whipped cream in the center of the pots de creme. Sprinkle with crumbled maple candied bacon. Garnish with sea salt, if desired. Bon appetit!
A native New Yorker, I recently moved to Be'er Sheva, Israel with my husband while he completes medical school. I am a freelance food and travel writer and photographer who is always hungry and reads cookbooks in bed.
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