Chocolate Pots
A deliciously decadent way to use up any ‘surplus’ chocolate and create a wonderful dessert.
Ingredients
100g plain chocolate
75g milk chocolate
3 teaspoons of espresso strength, strong, black coffee
15g butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract ( optional )
3 large eggs, separated
150ml whipped double cream
Method
1. Break up both types of chocolate and place in glass bowl with the strong black coffee. Melt carefully in a microwave on a low setting, using 30 second bursts or use the double boiler method. Stir until all the chocolate has melted into the coffee.
2. Once melted, add the butter, vanilla extract, almond extract and stir until the butter has melted into the residual heat of the chocolate.
3. Now add the 3 egg yolks that have been gently whisked with a fork. Stir until everything is well blended and the chocolate mixture should be thick and glossy.
4. In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites with a hand held electric whisk, until they reach the stiff peak stage.
5. Gently, fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture with a spatula or metal spoon, until no egg white is visible.
6. Pour the chocolate into small glasses, ramekin dishes or any other small dish. Remember this is a very rich dessert so you don’t need much. Leave to chill in the fridge for 8 hours.
7. Serve decorated with the whipped double cream. You can pipe it onto the chocolate or just spoon it on.
Notes
I use Nescafé Espresso Concentrated for iced coffees in this dessert. It lives in my fridge and it is perfect for adding coffee flavouring to any of my bakes.
Depending on your own taste buds, you can vary the type of chocolate used. For a very dark chocolate hit, use just plain chocolate and if you prefer a milder, sweeter dessert, use all milk chocolate. No sugar is added, so the dessert will taste like a mousse version of the chocolate used.
Personally, I like blending the two together at the ratio in the recipe but the option is yours. Whatever you decide, just remember you will need 175g of chocolate in total.