Decadence

Decadence doesn’t have to be complicated. All too often, I think of dizzying cakes displaying artistic pastry skills and delicate confections that require years of apprenticeship as the ultimate in decadence. I periodically take a step back to ground myself. As much as attempting complicated desserts may be fun, it’s even better to find decadence in simplicity.

I love desserts that don’t require lengthy ingredients and special trips to the grocery store. If you’re like me, one of your pantry staples if Nutella. It’s always in my cabinets, just as peanut butter is always in my fridge. Unless, of course, I eat it all way too fast. You may have heard of a new site that my friend Paula of bell’alimento and her friend Christy created, Bella Nutella. If you’re a Nutella-holic, head over there pronto for some eye candy.

Anyway, in time for Valentine’s Day, here is a super sumptuous sweet that will make your sweetheart swoon (try to say that 10 times fast!). Chocolate Hazelnut {Nutella} Pots de Crème. It’s easy, it’s not fussy, but it will make your hearts go aflutter. The hardest thing for you to decide will be…two spoons or one?

Oh! And I didn’t forget — thank you to everyone who shared their recipe organization methods! Based on a random drawing, Doli will be receiving a copy of my TasteBook! Doli said, I’m bad at organising but I do star recipes in my google reader as to which ones I want to try out. Well, Doli, you’re light years ahead of me; I’m still getting the hang of my Google Reader! I hope you enjoy the book!

Chocolate Hazelnut {Nutella} Pots de Creme

Yield: Makes 6 3-oz ramekins (or 3 very generous 6-oz ramekins).

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Nutella
1/4 cup condensed milk
2 large eggs
1 large egg white
1/4 cup granulated sugar (if you have a sweet tooth, make it 1/2 cup)
pinch of kosher salt
confectioner's sugar or whipped cream for garnish

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325°F with rack in the center of the oven. Bring a kettle of water to a boil.

In a small bowl, combine Nutella and condensed milk. Use a hand beater if desired. It will be very thick and pasty.

In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, egg white, sugar and salt. Add the Nutella paste to the mixture and beat until smooth with no lumps. Divide the batter evenly into the ramekins.

Place ramekins into a shallow baking dish in the oven. Pour boiling water into the baking pan, filling halfway. Bake for about 25-30 minutes until the custards are set. Carefully remove from oven and allow to cool. Chill in the refrigerator. Garnish with powdered sugar or whipped cream.

To create powdered sugar hearts, create a stencil by cutting out a heart from a piece of paper. Lay over custards and sprinkle powdered sugar. Remove.

Adapted from Chocolate Pot de Creme from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook.

by Liren on February 12, 2011

34 Comments

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Christina — February 12, 2011 @ 2:26 pm (#
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Agreed! Desserts (and food in general) doesn’t need to be fancy to be good! As long as it tastes good…although these look mighty good to me!!! Well done!
Nancy~The Wife of a Dairyman — February 12, 2011 @ 3:26 pm (#
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How ironic….as I’m reading this post, I am dipping pretzels into my jar of Nutella…..no joke!

your recipe looks fantastic and perfect for V-Day:)
Brian @ A Thought For Food — February 12, 2011 @ 3:32 pm (#
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Decadent is right! But what a great way to use Nutella! It’s been all the rage recently… and with good reason. It’s delicious!
Becky — February 12, 2011 @ 3:39 pm (#
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Your Pots de Creme sound so good, The little valentine stencil looks so cute on top.
Stephanie — February 12, 2011 @ 6:33 pm (#
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Sounds decadent and looks lovely. Great idea!
Crystal's Cozy Kitchen — February 12, 2011 @ 8:17 pm (#
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I’ve bookmarked this recipe to make later – sounds absolutely wonderful!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen — February 13, 2011 @ 3:28 am (#
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Who doesn’t love Nutella? I certainly agree with your statement that “decadence in simplicity” is the best. I much prefer a simple indulgent recipe like this one to a super fussy desert.
Angela@RecipesFromMyMom — February 13, 2011 @ 4:48 am (#
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I would definitely do the three very generous 6 oz. servings. Love a creamy chocolate pot of chocolate!
liz — February 13, 2011 @ 5:49 am (#
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Oh, my…photos like yours make me want to lick the screen!!! What a fabulous dessert!
Sara @CaffeIna — February 13, 2011 @ 7:53 am (#
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You are absolutely right. I also stop on the street to watch wonderful complicated cakes or artists creations but to the honest I believe that the most decadent, chic and satisfying desserts are creams like panna cotta or pots de creme. I fall in love with a caramel pots the creme a month ago. Of course I need to try one that involves nutella.
eatmarvin — February 13, 2011 @ 8:00 am (#
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I love Nutella! I will try your recipe, but instead of cream or icing sugar I’ll add a dab of more Nutella on top! mmm… yummy! :)
fooddreamer — February 13, 2011 @ 9:13 am (#
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I am a nutella-lover, but can’t really eat it so will just have to cheer Bella Nutella on from the sidelines. I love the concept, and I love these pots de creme!
Susan — February 13, 2011 @ 12:34 pm (#
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Another reason I should have bought stock in whatever company owns Nutella! Looks wonderful! I love Nutella and am so glad all these recipes are making the rounds on the blogs! This is surely one of the best!
Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite — February 13, 2011 @ 1:17 pm (#
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Love pots de crème. Love Nutella. It’s a match made in heaven!
MarmandeintheKitchen — February 13, 2011 @ 1:51 pm (#
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This looks amazing! I wish I had seen this sooner – I would have totally made it for valentine’s dinner last night. It is bookmarked for sure!
Kelsey{itsybitsyfoodies} — February 13, 2011 @ 4:27 pm (#
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Yum! You got me at Nutella :) And I love the heart decoration on top.
Annie — February 13, 2011 @ 5:13 pm (#
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this looks really rich, decadent and delicious! can’t wait to try it. btw, i’ve just nominated you for the stylish blogger award on my blog. do stop by – hope you’ll accept!
Doli — February 13, 2011 @ 8:37 pm (#
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Yippeee thanks so much!! I’m really looking forward :) Will send you the address in a while.
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foodwanderings — February 14, 2011 @ 7:24 am (#
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Nice Liren!! Indeed decadent!! Wanted to drop by and wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day my friend!!
briarrose — February 14, 2011 @ 7:33 am (#
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Wonderful way to use Nutella….these look just charming.
norma — February 14, 2011 @ 7:36 am (#
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Hazelnut..now we are talking…will save for future.
Dina @TheDishandTheDirt — February 14, 2011 @ 7:56 am (#
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Love it. Although I could probably stick a spoon in nutella and just be done with it, this is a much more elegant way to go about it!
sippitysup — February 14, 2011 @ 9:10 am (#
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Of course these are perfect! I know they would taste great, but I am about to drown in Nutella! Is it really all that? I have never tried it…GREG
Monet — February 14, 2011 @ 9:06 pm (#
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Simple and delicious. These are the perfect kinds of desserts. I love these pots of nutella goodness. The powdered sugar hearts are just adorable too! Thank you for sharing with me tonight. Hugs and well wishes from Austin! Happy Valentine’s Day!
A Little Yumminess — February 14, 2011 @ 10:07 pm (#
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oh boy! I think you can buy love with this one…at least as far as my kid is concerned!
Vicki @ Wilde in the Kitchen — February 15, 2011 @ 11:06 am (#
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These look delicious, and so simple! I’d love to have a stock of these in the fridge for dessert all week long!
Joy — February 17, 2011 @ 1:46 pm (#
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Those look wonderful.
Michael Richardson — May 1, 2011 @ 5:04 am (#
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Looks fantastic. I will have to give it a try.
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Jeff G — July 28, 2012 @ 7:10 pm (#
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This was a great (and easy) recipe. Can’t wait to eat the extra one I made.
- liren replied: — July 28th, 2012 @ 8:13 pm
  
  So glad you enjoyed it, Jeff! And enjoy the extra one, too! :)
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