Yields Makes about 5 1/2 cups (serving size: 1/2 cup)

Prep and Cook Time: 35 minutes, plus at least 1 hour chilling time. Notes: The sauce will thicken further when chilled. Make up to 3 days ahead.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

In a 3- to 4-quart pan over medium heat, cook milk, cream, and sugar, stirring often, until mixture begins to steam and bubble around edges of pan, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 2
2

Put egg yolks in a bowl and whisk in about 1/2 cup hot milk mixture, then pour egg mixture back into pan and whisk to blend. Cook, stirring with a flexible, heatproof spatula over medium-low heat until custard reaches 160° on an instant-read thermometer and thickens noticeably, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Stir in vanilla.

Step 3
3

Pour through a fine strainer set over a bowl. Set the bowl of custard in a larger bowl of ice and water for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until mixture cools. Cover with a layer of plastic wrap pressed against surface of custard. Chill at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.

Step 4
4

Other crème anglaise uses. Use this versatile custard in any number of desserts. Some of our favorite options:

Step 5
5

In a tart: Pour into a baked pastry shell and top with raspberries.

Step 6
6

In a layer cake: Spread the sauce between each layer, then frost with your favorite icing.

Step 7
7

In chocolate cream pie: Pour into a prepared cookie-crumb crust and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Step 8
8

In a parfait: Layer the sauce with vanilla crème anglaise (or vanilla pudding), almonds, and crushed meringues or shortbread cookies.

Step 9
9

As a pudding: Simply serve as is, with a bit of whipped cream.

Step 10
10

Note: Nutritional analysis is per 1/2 cup serving.

Ingredients

 3 cups whole milk
 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
 1/2 cup sugar
 8 large egg yolks
 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
 1 tablespoon vanilla

Directions

Step 1
1

In a 3- to 4-quart pan over medium heat, cook milk, cream, and sugar, stirring often, until mixture begins to steam and bubble around edges of pan, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 2
2

Put egg yolks in a bowl and whisk in about 1/2 cup hot milk mixture, then pour egg mixture back into pan and whisk to blend. Cook, stirring with a flexible, heatproof spatula over medium-low heat until custard reaches 160° on an instant-read thermometer and thickens noticeably, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Stir in vanilla.

Step 3
3

Pour through a fine strainer set over a bowl. Set the bowl of custard in a larger bowl of ice and water for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until mixture cools. Cover with a layer of plastic wrap pressed against surface of custard. Chill at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.

Step 4
4

Other crème anglaise uses. Use this versatile custard in any number of desserts. Some of our favorite options:

Step 5
5

In a tart: Pour into a baked pastry shell and top with raspberries.

Step 6
6

In a layer cake: Spread the sauce between each layer, then frost with your favorite icing.

Step 7
7

In chocolate cream pie: Pour into a prepared cookie-crumb crust and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Step 8
8

In a parfait: Layer the sauce with vanilla crème anglaise (or vanilla pudding), almonds, and crushed meringues or shortbread cookies.

Step 9
9

As a pudding: Simply serve as is, with a bit of whipped cream.

Step 10
10

Note: Nutritional analysis is per 1/2 cup serving.

Chocolate Crème Anglaise

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