Cheater's Dark Chocolate Pot de Creme Recipe

This is my go-to gourmet fake-out dessert recipe. Super easy and affordable with most of the ingredients coming from your pantry. Also lighter than traditional pot de creme because this recipe doesn't rely on heavy cream or egg yolks to make it rich. Rachael Ray made these on Oprah a few years ago and I've been making them for Kris (my hubby) ever since. I've tweaked the original recipe a bit and it's so foolproof that I usually just eyeball the ingredients rather than measuring them exactly.

Cheater's Pot de Creme au Chocolat

printable recipe

Servings: 2 large or 4 small servings
Preparation time: 2 hr 15 minutes (15 minutes active time, 2 hours to chill)
Special equipment: blender or food processor

Ingredients:
2/3 cup whole milk (substitute 1% or 2% milk for a lighter version)
1 large egg
2 tablespoons sugar
Pinch salt
1 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons hazelnut liqueur or substitute your favorite liqueur (Amaretto, Kahlua, Grand Marnier, Godiva chocolate liqueur, Chambord, Cassis etc)
fresh whipped cream or Cool Whip to garnish (optional)

Instructions:
Heat milk in a small saucepan until it comes to a boil (watch closely, milk scalds or boils over easily!) In blender or food processor combine egg, sugar, salt, chocolate chips and liqueur. While running blender or processor on low setting, pour the boiling milk in a slow stream. The hot milk will cook the egg and melt the chocolate. Blend for 1 minute, until smooth. Pour mixture into ramekins, demi-tasse cups, or short glasses (whatever looks pretty) and chill for at least 2 hours in the fridge. When ready to serve, top with a dollop of whipped cream or Cool Whip. Garnish with a mint sprig or sprinkle with cocoa powder or chocolate shavings if you want to get fancy.