Caramelized white chocolate is the new wonder in my baking world, and these creamy custards are the new dessert you have been waiting for! Rich and unctuous, they have a unique flavor and can be made ahead.
In time everything becomes clear.
One way or the other. In this case, I believe it's in the most decadent way. I think white chocolate was invented so that, one day, we could have salted caramelized white chocolate to fill our days (I can vividly imagine this white chocolate bundt cake with it!).
Emphasis on the salted aspect of it.
I finally succumbed to its charms. And there's no going back.
After I made it for the first time, I spent the next day and a half simply thinking about it, writing down all the things I wanted to do with it.
And also opened the jar, spoon in hand, and slowly ate the whole thing, a few tablespoons daily. I don't remember being blown away in this way by a flavor in years.
When a whisper becomes as soft as thunder, there's no questioning it, you need to go to work.
When a hint becomes apparent and you stumble upon it one time after another in a few days, it's probably time to do something about it.
It started with Kate leaving me a comment in the dulce de leche crepes post about it. A few days later, Liz posted some incredible cupcakes with it and by now, it was more than a thought.
Then I opened Emma's post about eclairs glazed with it; the time had come. I had to go into the kitchen and make a big batch of caramelized white chocolate. With salt. A very big one.
I am repeating myself, I know.
But, you see, there's no middle ground regarding salted caramelized white chocolate. It's sensational.
So, so fantastic I quite frankly don't know what to tell you about it because words are not enough. You have to taste it. You really, really do.
I saved Dave Lebovitz's original post about it a few years ago and then forgot about it.
It turns out that the masterminds at Valrhona, the extraordinary chocolate company, developed this way of baking white chocolate at low heat for quite a while, stirring it periodically, until it turned into a golden semi-liquid unctuous thing.
They now sell it as a chocolate bar, Dulcey, which I also used for the white chocolate almond cookies. I simply love it.
I use it as regular white chocolate whenever I can. It wipes that extra step of caramelizing the chocolate on your own.
When I first tasted it, while still warm, my mouth felt like Nutella. Coarse and almost cloying, but for some inexplicable reason I couldn't stop eating.
It hardens as the days pass, becoming completely solid in a day or two.
But it melts in a minute in the microwave or hot water. So keep it in a glass jar that can be heated.
Just don't taste it right out of the oven. It's hot, very hot, and you'll burn your tongue. Just saying.
These custards are very creamy but not dense.
The whipped cream flavored with amaretto and sprinkled with orange zest is a fantastic combination, one that wasn't planned but will be used in the future again.
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Caramelized White Chocolate Custard
Ingredients
For the custards:
- 1 ½ cups caramelized white chocolate, or use the caramelized chocolate from Valrhona, Dulcey.
- 1 ⅓ cups cream
- 1 cup milk
- 4 egg yolks, at room temperature
- pinch sea salt, optional
- boiling water, to fill the baking tray
Instructions
For the custard:
- Preheat the oven to 300ºF (150°C).
- Have ready a baking tray with at least 1-inch high sides. Place 6 individual ramekins on top.
- In a large bowl stir 4 egg yolks to blend. Reserve.
- In a medium saucepan heat 1 ½ cups caramelized white chocolate, 1 ⅓ cups cream and 1 cup milk. Let it boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Slowly add this mixture to the egg yolks, whisking constantly and quickly to prevent curdling. Mix until well blended.
- Sieve the mixture into the ramekins, dividing evenly.
- Place the baking tray in the oven and fill it about 1 inch with boiling water. Bake the custards until slightly jiggly, about 30 minutes.
- Transfer to a wire rack, let cool five minutes and then cover each ramekin with plastic wrap, making sure touches and covers the top of the custards; it prevents a dry skin from forming.
- Refrigerate until cold, about 4 hours or up to 2 days.
- To serve, remove the plastic, spoon some whipped cream on top of each custard, sprinkle a little orange zest over them and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sliced almonds.
For the flavored cream:
- In a bowl beat ½ cup cream until beginning to thicken.
- Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and beat to medium-firm peaks. Be careful not to curdle it.
- Keep refrigerated, covered.
Karen Kerr says
Oh gosh, Paula! Now I'm going to obsess until I make these =)
Lisa says
I've had DL's caramelized white chocolate post in my bookmarks for quite some time, and now that I've seen your luscious custards, not to mention Lizzy's whipped ganache frosting...it would take a castiron pan to the head for me not to try it!
Cake Duchess says
So I remember Lizzy's cupcakes and now I will be dreaming of this. I will have to get busy and caramelize white chocolate because your description is so tantalizing.xx
Cocoa and Lavender says
By complete coincidence, the day you posted this was also the day I accidentally turned white chocolate into caramel. But my result was not so good because the chocolate (given to me as a gift - from someone who doesn't know me well) was the worst quality white chocolate and, in fact, might NOT have been chocolate at all! So sad. Anyway, I tried to melt both in the microwave and on the stove and got the same result - a grainy ,brown caramel. Now I know that if I use GOOD white chocolate, my results will be as tasty and beautiful as yours!n~ David
thelittleloaf says
These look like heaven in a ramekin. Can't get enough of caramelized white chocolate so will definitely be trying these!
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
Oh Paula, yum! salt + caramel = love 🙂 Can't wait to try this.
Alice Choi says
Paula!!! OMG! So this is that recipe you have been obsessed with?! I can see why. WOW. Lovely ! I must make these stat! My only fear is that I will eat everything! I did look at David Lebovitz's recipe with making my dulce de leche yesterday but ended up following one on Chow.com, which was basically the same thing. . and I did initially try to go out and buy some at the grocery store. I went to 2 but neither carried it! oh well! this ended well b/c I was able to make my own dulce de leche!
Liz Berg says
Looks like I need to caramelize some more white chocolate...and QUICK! What a fantastic flavor combination for custards. I'm so honored to have inspired one of my favorite bakers around 🙂 xo
Laura Dembowski says
I have a feeling this is worth burning your tongue! I love white chocolate and can't wait to try this!
Angie's Recipes says
My husband loves chocolate, but crazy for the white. The custard sounds decadent.
Gourmet Getaways says
What a brilliantly masterminded dessert!!
I can almost taste it now... I wish I could taste it now 🙂
yummychunklet says
Oh, yum! Salted caramel sounds delicious.
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
Paula, I could read this post over and over again - your description of this amazing caramelized white chocolate is pure poetry. If you love it this much, then it must be balls to the wall delicious. I saw Liz's cupcake post that you referred to and when I did, I told myself I needed to caramelize white chocolate. I haven't yet but now seeing your custards makes me want to make them RIGHT.NOW. I love everything about this!
Deb says
I just used white chocolate in a recipe and was tempted to try caramelizing but wanted to retain the white color and thought next time. I can see I need to try this soon! You have me convinced!
Guru Uru says
This is a brilliant idea my friend, never would have thought of it! 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Erin D. says
Oh my gosh. Caramelized white chocolate! I've never tried it but this sounds heavenly. And I'm sure it is addictive - white chocolate is already addictive enough in its plain form. But now?! I think I need to make this when we're having company so I'm forced not to eat it all from the pot.
Kathy says
Well Paula, Your custard sure sounds so much better than mine!! You have inspired me to try this caramelized white chocolate. It really does sound heavenly!! Have a great weekend!
Susan says
Wow, Paula! If you think this is this good, I will have to try it!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I have enjoyed getting to know you, too! I truly wish you could make it to Seattle to meet up with other Doristas in September.
Tracy Iseminger says
Found this on Triberr and shared it to reddit and pinned! YUM!! Maybe you want to bring it over to Foodie Friends Friday Party today and share!
Renee says
Wonderful custard Paula! I do wish I could eat white chocolate (crazy weird allergy to it).