• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Fearless Dining
  • New to GF? Start Here
  • GF Resources
    • Safe Gluten Free Dining Tips
  • Recipes
  • GF Cookbooks
    • Pantry
  • About Me
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • New to GF? Start Here!
  • Recipe Index
  • Check Out My Gluten Free Cookbooks!
  • Gluten Free Dining Tips
  • About Fearless Dining
  • Contact Me
  • Follow Along

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Creamy Dark Chocolate Custard Recipe {Dairy-Free Option}

    Published: Jan 22, 2019 · Modified: Jan 1, 2021 by Sandi Gaertner · 24 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Chocolate custard is a rich, thick, and creamy chocolate dessert, perfect for any chocoholic! I do have to say this dark chocolate custard recipe will be your new favorite. I include a dairy-free option as well so everyone can enjoy my new recipe.

    You may want to make this custard dessert recipe in ramekin dishes so that you don't devour the entire chocolate custard in one sitting. If you love chocolate as much as we do, check out my best gluten free chocolate desserts!

    two ramekins filled with chocolate custard. They are topped with whipped cream and sliced strawberries
    Jump to:
    • Why this chocolate custard is so good:
    • Ingredient notes:
    • Recipe step by step directions:
    • Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ:
    • More Gluten Free Chocolate Desserts:
    • Tools:
    • Recipe
    • Community

    This is the dark chocolate custard that will make you weep tears of joy. It is made with dark chocolate and it is melt in your mouth, creamy smooth.

    And I can guarantee that this easy dark chocolate custard recipe is good enough to be that special "Valentine's Day" dessert, for a romantic night, or for a special family dessert.

    I am hoping you find this recipe really easy to make. I include a dairy-free version as well so everyone can enjoy this homemade custard recipe.

    Here are even more gluten free desserts for Valentine's Day.

    Why this chocolate custard is so good:

    I can't get enough of this chocolate custard. It not only makes an incredible stand alone dessert, but it is absolutely amazing as the filling for a gluten free chocolate cream pie or tart!

    It is so easy to learn how to make this chocolate custard. You can enjoy it warm or chill it in the refrigerator to have it cold.

    Check out this fun chocolate custard web story too! It is a quick walk-through of making this recipe.

    a close up of the chocolate custard in white ramekins

    Ingredient notes:

    • Dark chocolate - This dessert is simple to make with any dark chocolate chips, though I have to give an unsolicited plug for Ghirardelli dark melting pieces. Their flavor is definitely a winner in this recipe.
    • Heavy cream - you can substitute cold coconut cream to keep this recipe dairy-free.
    • Coconut milk - I used canned coconut milk, but you can use regular coconut milk. If you use sweetened, you may wish to consider reducing the amount of added sugar in this recipe.

    Recipe step by step directions:

    Melting dark chocolate into cream to make gluten free chocolate custard

    Step 1: You are going to love the simplicity of this recipe. Simply add the heavy cream, coconut milk, and sugar to a pot and bring it to a gentle boil. Whisk frequently.

    Cooking chocolate custard and stirring with a whisk

    Step 2: Add the dark chocolate, whisking constantly. You can use melting wafers or chocolate chips. If you prefer, you can use milk chocolate or white chocolate!

    Step 3: This is a chocolate custard with egg yolks and it is important to do this mixing carefully. Add your egg yolks to a cup. Add a spoonful of the hot chocolate mixture and stir quickly until it is mixed in. Repeat this step two more times to temper the eggs.

    This step is very important because if you add your eggs to the pot of hot chocolate, the heat will cook the eggs and they will not mix in.

    6 chocolate custard desserts in a hot water bath, ready for baking

    Step 4: Pour the hot chocolate mixture into ramekins or small mason jars. Put the ramekins into a pan filled with 1-inch of water.

    Step 5: Bake at 350º F for 25 minutes. Remove and allow to cool for 20 minutes then put into the refrigerator.

    TIP: You don't want your custard to dry out so make sure there is at least an inch of water in the pan around the ramekins!

    I topped this chocolate custard with chocolate shavings, whipped cream, and fresh strawberries. Feel free to top any way you like, or with your favorite berries.

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ:

    Can you use milk chocolate in this recipe?

    You can definitely use milk chocolate or even white chocolate instead of dark chocolate if you prefer.

    What is the difference between custard and pudding?

    Custard and pudding are very similar. The biggest differences are that this chocolate custard is baked and does not contain thickening starches.

    What is the best chocolate for this custard recipe?

    I personally love using Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Melting Wafers for this chocolate dessert. You can also use high-quality chocolate chips or other melting chocolates.

    How long will this chocolate custard keep?

    These custard will keep up to 4 days in an air-tight container.

    Can you use cocoa powder?

    Honestly,  I haven't tested this recipe with cocoa powder. I worry the chocolate texture will be grainy. If you do try this, please comment and let us know how it turned out.

    the top view of two ramekins filled with chocolate custard on a table

    More Gluten Free Chocolate Desserts:

    • Gluten Free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
    • Easy Gluten Free Chocolate Brownies
    • Gluten Free Chocolate Donuts
    • Gluten Free Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake
    • Gluten Free Chocolate Mug Cake {Dairy-Free Too!}
    • The Best Gluten Free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
    • Gluten Free Chocolate Frosted Cookies {Crumbl Copycat}
    • The Best Gluten Free Whoopie Pies

    Tools:

    1. These little ramekins are perfect for baking this custard in.
    2. Dark Melting Chocolate. This melts so smoothly.

    Recipe

    two ramekins filled with chocolate custard. They are topped with whipped cream and sliced strawberries

    Dark Chocolate Custard

    Sandi Gaertner
    Easy creamy homemade creamy dark chocolate custard.
    4.94 from 16 votes
    gluten free allergy icon
    nut free allergen icon
    soy free allergy icon
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Add to Collection Go to Collections Save RecipeSaved!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 22 mins
    Total Time 37 mins
    Course Gluten Free Dessert Recipes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 ramekins
    Calories 447 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup dark chocolate * see note
    • 1 cup heavy cream * see note
    • 1 cup coconut milk canned, not light
    • 4 egg yolks * see note
    • 3 tablespoons sugar

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350º F.
    • In a sauce pan, add sugar, heavy cream and coconut milk.
    • Bring to a boil.
    • Add chocolate and whisk continuously.
    • In a small dish, add egg yolks.
    • Temper the eggs by putting a little of the hot chocolate mixture into the eggs, whisking quickly.
    • Pour the egg mixture back into the pot and whisk to blend.
    • Cook one more minute.
    • Spray coconut oil into each ramekin.
    • Pour the hot chocolate mixture into the ramekins. (I had enough chocolate to fill six ramekins.)
    • Place the ramekins into a pan.
    • Pour hot water into the pan so that it comes up halfway to cover the sides of the ramekins.
    • Bake 25 minutes.
    • Remove and allow to cool.

    Video

    Notes

    1. You can use any melting chocolate wafers or chocolate chips in this recipe. 
    2. If you want to use a different flavor of chocolate, you can use milk chocolate or white chocolate.
    3. To make this dairy-free, substitute the heavy cream for coconut cream.
    4. If you can't have coconut, feel free to use different dairy-free milk.
    5. This is a chocolate custard with egg yolks and it is important to do this mixing carefully. Add your egg yolks to a cup. Add a spoonful of the hot chocolate mixture and stir quickly until it is mixed in. Repeat this step two more times to temper the eggs. This step is very important because if you add your eggs to the pot of hot chocolate, the heat will cook the eggs and they will not mix in.
    6. This recipe should keep in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Cover the ramekins with plastic wrap.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 447kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 6gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 25gCholesterol: 185mgSodium: 32mgPotassium: 334mgFiber: 3gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 768IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 69mgIron: 5mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @FearlessDining or tag #FearlessDining!
    Share by Text

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

    lemon e-cookbook cover image

    If you love the recipes you are finding on my blog, I would love for you to sign up for my newsletter (and get my free gluten free lemon desserts e-cookbook!)

    Save

    « Delicious Gluten Free Cheese Danish Recipe
    Paleo Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cissy

      May 12, 2021 at 12:36 pm

      I mostly use almond cashew milk do you think this will work as well ? As well as Swerve Sugar replacement? 🤗

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        May 12, 2021 at 1:12 pm

        I haven't tested this recipe with non-dairy milk, though I do recall a reader saying they used coconut milk. I haven't used Swerve.

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    A picture of my face standing in front of landscape bushes

    Welcome to my blog! I am so glad you are here. I have created hundreds of delicious family-friendly gluten free recipes with easy step-by-step directions. Many recipes are also dairy-free. A gluten free lifestyle has never been easier!

    More about me →

    Easy Dinner Recipes:

    • Easy Gluten Free Stuffed Peppers
    • Gluten Free Skillet Lasagna
    • Gluten Free Quiche with Sausage and Tomato
    • Italian Gluten Free Meatloaf Recipe
    • How to Fire-Roast Hatch Chiles and The 12 Best Hatch Chile Recipes!
    • How to Make Gluten Free Ramen Soup

    More Dinner Recipes!

    Trending Gluten Free Recipes:

    • 8 Tasty Ways To Enjoy Shishito Peppers {Easy Recipes}
    • The Best Gluten Free Blueberry Scones
    • Proposition Chicken's Gluten Free Fried Chicken Recipe
    • Sweet Gluten Free Apple Fritters
    • The Best Flaky Gluten Free Biscuits
    • The Best Gluten Free Bread Machine Bread {Dairy Free Too!}

    Click for more Trending Recipes.

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Web Stories

    Copyright © 2014-2022 Fearless Dining