Playful Chocolate Soup with Croissant Croutons Recipe

Warm, velvety chocolate soup with croissant croutons offers a decadent twist on dessert that melts effortlessly into pure indulgence.

Rich chocolate cascades through each spoonful, creating a luxurious experience that surprises and delights.

Flaky, buttery croissant croutons add a delightful crunch, turning this dessert into an unexpected culinary adventure.

The contrast between smooth chocolate and crisp croissant pieces creates a symphony of textures that dance across your palate.

Elegant yet surprisingly simple, this recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary treat.

Comfort and sophistication merge in this elegant dessert that promises to impress even the most discerning sweet tooth.

Prepare to swoon with every spoonful of this chocolate masterpiece.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 578 kcal

Servings: 7

What You Need for Chocolate Soup with Croissant Croutons

• Milk: Creamy foundation that carries rich chocolate flavor, choose whole milk for maximum richness.
• Half-and-Half: Adds luxurious texture and smoothness, opt for fresh, high-quality dairy.
• Orange: Provides subtle citrusy depth, select ripe, fragrant oranges with vibrant zest.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate: Delivers primary chocolate intensity, pick high-quality chocolate with smooth melting properties.

• Cornstarch: Creates silky soup consistency, ensure it's fresh and lump-free.
• Egg Yolks: Contributes richness and helps thicken the soup, use fresh, room-temperature eggs.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic undertones, choose pure vanilla for best results.

• Croissants: Base for crunchy garnish, select fresh, buttery pastries.
• Butter: Helps crisp croissant cubes, use unsalted for controlled seasoning.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweet crunch, select fine-grain sugar.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, spicy notes, use freshly ground for intense flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Creates fluffy topping, choose high-fat content cream.
• Crème Fraiche: Adds tangy richness to whipped topping, select smooth, high-quality version.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes whipped topping, sift to prevent lumps.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: Offers intense vanilla flavor, contains visible vanilla specks.

Cooking Tools for Chocolate Soup

• Large saucepan: Essential for heating and cooking the chocolate soup base.
• Vegetable peeler: Perfect for removing orange zest without the bitter white pith.
• Small bowls: Handy for mixing cornstarch, separating egg yolks, and preparing ingredients.
• Whisk: Crucial for melting chocolate, combining ingredients, and preventing lumps.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping chocolate and preparing croissant cubes.
• Sharp knife: Required for cutting croissants into small, even cubes.
• Baking sheet: Used for creating crispy croissant croutons in the oven.
• Aluminum foil: Helps line the baking sheet for easy cleanup.
• Mixing bowl: Great for tossing croissant cubes with butter and cinnamon-sugar.
• Electric mixer or stand mixer: Perfect for whipping crème fraiche to the right consistency.

How to Make Chocolate Soup with Croutons

Tantalizing Chocolate Dream

• Orange Essence Infusion

Gently peel orange zest, keeping the fragrant outer layer. Combine zest with milk in a saucepan, warming until soft bubbles appear. Let the mixture relax and absorb those citrusy notes for a delightful half hour.

• Chocolate Transformation

Chop rich chocolate into delicate pieces. Blend cornstarch with cold water until silky smooth. Gently warm the infused milk, welcoming the chocolate until it melts into a luxurious pool of decadence.

• Egg Yolk Magic

Carefully introduce warm chocolate to egg yolks, whisking carefully to prevent any unwanted scrambling. Return the velvety mixture to the pan, stirring until it reaches a dreamy, creamy consistency.

• Croissant Crisp Topping

Cut flaky croissants into bite-sized cubes. Drench in melted butter, then shower with cinnamon sugar. Bake until golden and crunchy, creating irresistible little morsels of joy.

• Cloud-Like Cream Finish

Whip cream and crème fraiche until they form soft, billowy peaks. A hint of vanilla elevates this heavenly topping to pure bliss.

Serve the chocolate soup warm, crowned with crispy croissant croutons and a generous dollop of whipped cream. Each spoonful promises a journey of pure indulgence.

Tips to Elevate Chocolate Soup

• Experiment with different chocolate varieties like dark, milk, or white chocolate to create unique flavor profiles and personalize the soup to your taste preferences.
• Enhance the orange flavor by adding a splash of Grand Marnier or orange liqueur during the final cooking stage for a more intense citrus note.
• Substitute dairy milk with coconut milk or almond milk for a lighter, plant-based version of the chocolate soup that still maintains a rich, creamy texture.
• Sprinkle a pinch of cayenne pepper or ground chili into the chocolate mixture for a subtle warmth that complements the sweet chocolate flavor.
• Mix different spices like nutmeg or cardamom into the cinnamon-sugar coating for croissant croutons, or use brioche instead of croissants for a slightly different crunch.

Serve Chocolate Soup with Style

• Decadent Dessert Duo: Pair the chocolate soup with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a contrasting temperature and texture experience.
• Orange Zest Elegance: Garnish with a delicate strip of fresh orange zest on top of the whipped crème fraiche to highlight the subtle citrus notes in the soup.
• Nutty Crunch Companion: Sprinkle toasted almond slivers or chopped hazelnuts alongside the croissant croutons for an extra layer of nutty complexity and textural interest.
• Spice Surprise Finish: Dust a light pinch of ground cinnamon or cayenne pepper over the soup to add a subtle warmth and unexpected depth to the chocolate flavor.

How to Store Chocolate Soup

• Chilled Delight Strategy: Refrigerate the chocolate soup in an airtight container for up to 3 days, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify overnight. Gently reheat on low heat, stirring constantly to maintain smooth consistency.
• Crouton Crunch Keeper: Store croissant croutons in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Keep away from moisture to maintain their crispy texture. For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe bag up to 2 weeks.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare chocolate soup base and croutons separately up to 2 days in advance. Whipped crème fraiche stays fresh in the refrigerator for 24 hours – simply whisk briefly before serving to restore fluffy texture.
• Smart Serving Tip: Separate components when storing to prevent soggy croutons. Assemble just before serving for maximum flavor and textural contrast. Warm soup slightly and top with crisp croutons and chilled cream for restaurant-quality presentation.

Velvety Chocolate Soup with Croissant Croutons

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Sumptuous chocolate soup with croissant croutons offers a luxurious French-inspired dessert experience. Silky chocolate blends with crisp pastry croutons, creating an indulgent treat you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 grams) semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 2.5 cups (600 ml) milk
• 2.5 cups (600 ml) half-and-half
• 1 large orange
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 0.5 cups (120 ml) crème fraiche
• 2 large croissants
• 2 tbsps cornstarch
• 2 tbsps cold water
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 oz (28 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• 0.33 cups (80 ml) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
• 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 0.33 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Zest Preparation: Delicately extract orange zest with a vegetable peeler, avoiding the bitter white pith.
2. Milk Infusion: Combine zest with milk and half-and-half in a saucepan, heating until tiny bubbles form along the edges. Remove from heat, cover, and let infuse for 30-120 minutes to develop orange intensity.
3. Chocolate Integration: Finely chop semi-sweet chocolate while preparing a cornstarch slurry. Reheat infused milk near simmering point, then whisk in chocolate until smoothly melted. Blend in cornstarch mixture to create uniform consistency.
4. Egg Tempering: Carefully temper egg yolks by gradually introducing hot chocolate milk to prevent curdling. Reintroduce tempered yolks into the saucepan, continuously whisking to maintain smooth texture. Add salt and vanilla extract, cooking until the soup reaches a luxurious, creamy thickness.
5. Croissant Croutons: Preheat oven to 300°F and line a baking sheet with foil. Cube croissants and toss with melted butter, then dust with cinnamon-sugar blend. Roast for 15-20 minutes, stirring periodically until golden and crisp.
6. Whipped Crème Fraiche: Chill a mixing bowl and whisk attachment. Combine heavy cream, crème fraiche, powdered sugar, and vanilla, whipping to firm peaks without over-beating.
7. Serving: Serve chocolate soup warm, garnishing with crispy croissant croutons and a dollop of whipped crème fraiche.

Notes

• Zest with Care: Use vegetable peeler carefully to avoid bitter white pith, which can make orange flavor harsh.
• Milk Infusion Timing: Longer steeping (up to 2 hours) intensifies orange flavor, so adjust based on preference.
• Chocolate Chopping Technique: Finely chop chocolate for smoother melting and more uniform soup consistency.
• Tempering Eggs Carefully: Slowly add hot liquid to egg yolks to prevent curdling, ensuring silky smooth texture.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Breakfast
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 578
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 153 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 23 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 155 mg