Salted Chocolate Pot Du Creme d'Ville
Recipe and Photo By Lisa Riznikove
Elegant, sophisticated, and a little exotic with its combination of dark chocolate, chili, and sea salt—yet incredibly easy to make! Pot du crème has always been a favorite dessert, but traditional recipes can be finicky and needlessly complicated. This genius adaptation of David Lebovitz's recipe adds the subtle kick of Piment d'Ville and flaky sea salt, which pair amazingly with dark chocolate to create a dessert that's simultaneously comforting and sophisticated.
The Perfect Chocolate
After much experimentation, we've found that the type of chocolate significantly impacts the final texture. While many dark chocolates taste incredible, they can result in a denser custard. For the silky, creamy texture of an authentic French pot du crème, the ratio of chocolate, fat, and milk needs to be precisely balanced. Though we typically recommend small-batch chocolates, for this recipe, Ghirardelli 60% bittersweet chocolate available at most grocery stores delivers the perfect results. Save your premium single-origin chocolate for making decorative curls to place on top!
The Magic of Piment d'Ville
Piment d'Ville is a California-grown version of the coveted Basque Piment d'Espelette, meticulously cultivated by Boonville Barn Collective, a woman-owned farm in Northern California's Anderson Valley. This unique chile powder has been featured in prestigious culinary publications including The New York Times, Bon Appétit, and Sunset Magazine for its distinctive flavor profile—sweet and spicy with perfect warmth rather than overwhelming heat.
Basque chefs call it "The Third Spice," using it as frequently as salt and pepper in their cooking. The Anderson Valley's climate mirrors the Basque region with warm days and cool nights, creating ideal growing conditions for these special peppers. Each pepper is hand-harvested following organic and sustainable practices on their Renegade-certified farm. The peppers undergo careful drying, de-stemming, and deseeding before being ground and packaged entirely on-site, ensuring the highest quality and freshest flavor in every container.
INGREDIENTS
8 ounces (225g) 60% bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine
1 3/4 cups (430ml) heavy cream
1/2 cup (125ml) whole milk
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
6 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon Piment d’Ville Original + extra to sprinkle on whipped cream
Whipped Cream
Makes 6 servings
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 325ºF (160ºC).
2. Heat the cream, milk, and salt in a small saucepan. When it begins to simmer, remove it from the heat and pour it into a large measuring cup, bowl or pitcher. Whisk in the chocolate and stir till smooth.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, then whisk in the sugar, cinnamon and Piment d’Ville. Gradually add the eggs to the melted chocolate mixture while whisking until well-blended.
4. Place six 4 oz. ramekins or custard cups in a roasting pan or baking dish. Divide the custards amongst the ramekins. Add hot water to the baking dish until it reaches halfway up the outside of the ramekins. Cover with foil.
5. Bake until the custards are set around the edges but still slightly soft and jiggly when you nudge them, about 30 to 35 minutes, but check them before as ovens can vary.
6. As soon as the custards are cool enough to handle, remove them from the hot water bath and place them on a cooling rack.
7. Top with freshly made whipped cream and sprinkle with Piment d’Ville and Pacific Flake Sea Salt.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- For an elegant presentation, serve in clear glass ramekins to showcase the beautiful layers
- Add chocolate curls or shavings on top of the whipped cream
- Pair with fresh berries on the side for a color and flavor contrast
- For a more intense flavor, add a tiny pinch of Piment d'Ville to your whipped cream before whipping
- Serve with cinnamon or almond cookies for a textural contrast
- For special occasions, add a small gold leaf decoration for a truly luxurious presentation
This dessert is perfect for dinner parties as it can be made ahead of time, leaving you free to enjoy your guests. The combination of rich chocolate, subtle spice from Piment d'Ville, and the occasional burst of sea salt creates a memorable finale to any meal.
Related Recipes
The Heirloom Bean + Grain club
Learn More
Get impossible to find beans and grains shipped direct to your doorstep each month from small family farms.
Support small family farms
Shop Now
We support small, family owned farms across the nation. Did you know that farmers only make an average of 10 cents on every dollar you spend at the supermarket? Working directly with farms and not middle men ensures that more money goes back to the people actually growning your food.