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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Zest Preparation: Delicately extract orange zest with a vegetable peeler, avoiding the bitter white pith.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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