Chocolate Cherry Crème Brûlée
Aug 04, 2025
This is one of those desserts that feels both comforting and indulgent—like something you’d order at a beautiful little restaurant, but made simply at home. Chocolate and cherry is already a beloved pair, but when you tuck ripe cherries beneath a blanket of dark chocolate custard and crack through a brûléed sugar top, it becomes something else entirely.
Whenever I mix dark chocolate with fruit—especially red fruits like cherries, raspberries, strawberries, or currants—I reach for Valrhona’s Manjari. It’s one of the fruitiest dark chocolates on the market, with a bright acidity and deep berry notes that enhance the fruit without overpowering it. It's not the cheapest chocolate out there, but it's worth the splurge. Pastry chefs around the world rely on Valrhona for good reason, and as a certified B Corp, they’re deeply committed to sustainable sourcing and ethical chocolate production. It’s one of my absolute favorites to work with.
This crème brûlée is surprisingly simple to make ahead and a showstopper when served. It’s rich and velvety from the cream and chocolate, with just the right amount of sweetness and tartness from the cherries. The brûléed sugar on top adds a perfect crisp contrast. Make it for a special dinner or just because stone fruit season is too good not to.
Ingredients
¾ cup (120 g)| dark chocolate (preferably Valrhona Manjari)
2 cups (470 g) heavy cream
½ cup (125 g) whole milk
½ teaspoon vanilla paste
⅓ cup (80 g) egg yolks (about 4 large yolks)
¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar, plus more for topping
Pinch salt
About 1¾ cups ~250 grams fresh cherries, pitted and halved (27 cherries)
Turbinado sugar for brûlée
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Set six crème brûlée dishes or shallow ramekins on a baking sheet. Divide the cherry halves evenly between them—about 9 halves per dish, or roughly one cherry piece per bite, depending on the size and shape of your dishes.
In a saucepan, combine the heavy cream and whole milk. Heat over medium until just starting to steam, then remove from the heat and stir in the dark chocolate until completely melted and smooth.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, vanilla paste, and a pinch of salt until combined and slightly lightened in color.
Slowly whisk the warm chocolate cream into the egg mixture a little at a time to temper the yolks, then fully incorporate the rest. Strain the custard through a fine mesh sieve to ensure a silky texture.
Carefully pour the custard over the cherries in each dish, dividing it evenly. Place the baking sheet in the oven and pour hot water into the pan around the ramekins until it comes halfway up the sides. Bake for 35–45 minutes, or until the custards are set around the edges with a slight jiggle in the center.
Remove from the water bath and let cool to room temperature. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
Just before serving, sprinkle a thin, even layer of sugar over the surface of each custard. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until golden and crisp. Serve immediately and crack through that sugar shell with a satisfying tap of your spoon.
Tips & Notes
If cherries aren’t in season, you can substitute raspberries or even poached cranberries for a winter version. Just be sure to use a fruit with some tartness—it balances beautifully with the richness of the custard.
Manjari is my go-to for this recipe, but you can use any high-quality dark chocolate around 64–70% cocoa. Just look for one with a fruity profile to complement the cherries.
This is a great make-ahead dessert. The custards can be fully baked and chilled the day before—just brûlée the tops right before serving for that signature crack.
For brûléeing, I highly recommend using turbinado sugar instead of regular granulated. It melts more evenly, caramelizes beautifully, and gives you that perfect thin, crisp crust without burning too quickly.
Stay connected with the latest posts, recipes & events!
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates.
Don't worry, your information will not be shared.
We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.
Categories
All Categories 30-minute recipe 4th of july dessert 9x13 dessert about buckwheat acidity in cooking agrodolce agua de jamaica alcohol all butter pie dough almond crumble almond flour almond salad almonds americano cocktail aperol spritz appetizer ideas appetizers apple salad apricot apricot galette apricot mayo apricot mustard apricot scones aromatic spices asparagus pasta asparagus recipe asparagus recipes asparagus tart backyard dining bacon bacon potato soup baharat baked custard baked potatoes baking baking basics baking from scratch baking guide baking tips baking with buckwheat banana banana bread banana bread recipe barbecue bars basil recipes bbq rub beef stew beet recipe beets bellini cocktail berry desserts best white wine for spring blind baked tart bloomsdale spinach blueberry muffins boutique champagne brassica bread pudding breakfast pastry breakfast recipe brine brioche recipe brisket broccoli brownie recipe brownies brunch brunch cake brunch ideas brunch potato dish brunch tart bubbly wine buckle cake buckwheat buckwheat carrot cake buckwheat dough buckwheat flour buckwheat pancakes buckwheat recipes bulk buying burrata recipes burrata salad butter crust buttermilk brioche buttermilk cake recipe buttermilk crust buttermilk dessert buttery cake buttery vegetables cabbage pancake cabbage recipe cabbage rolls cake cakes campari drinks canning canning recipe cantaloupe gazpacho caraflex cabbage caramelized pineapple cake cardamom cardamom dessert carrot and beet salad carrot cake carrot jam carrot recipe carrot rhubarb jam carrots cedric bouchard celery salad chablis spring pairing champagne charentais melon cheddar cheese recipes cheesy potato bake chef life cherries in the snow cherry cherry and chocolate cherry compote cherry crisp cherry dessert cherry desserts cherry rhubarb recipe cherry trifle chili chili cheese broccoli tart chili cheese tart chili lime corn chili recipe chillable red wine chilled soup recipes chive recipes chocolate chocolate creme brulee chocolate dessert chocolate pots de creme chocolate recipe choosing wine cilantro cinnamon buns cinnamon rolls citrus and beets citrus curd citrus ginger vinaigrette clafoutis classic upside-down cake cocktail mixer cocktails with fruit coffee pairing coleslaw alternative comfort food condiment condiments cookie cookies cooking cooking tips cooking with fat cooking with rhubarb coriander corn ribs corned beef corned beef brine cornmeal biscuits costa rican drinks cozy bakes cozy meals crackers cream cheese mousse cream cheese tart creamy dessert creamy grits creamy pasta sauce creamy potato dish creamy rice pudding creamy tahini dressing creamy tart filling creme brulee crisp recipe crispy potato pancakes crowd-pleaser crumb cake crunchy salad crème fraîche crémant cucumber salad culinary arts culinary creativity custard custard desserts dairy-free sauces dessert dessert basics dessert recipe dessert topping different salt dinner recipe dipping spices dry rosé dry rub early spring produce early spring vegetables easter baking easter brunch easter dessert easy baking easy brioche easy cake easy dessert easy dinner easy jam recipe easy latke recipe easy lunch ideas easy panna cotta easy peach pie easy peach recipe easy pie easy recipe easy recipes easy salad dressing easy salad recipe easy sauce recipes easy side dishes easy sorbet recipe easy spring dinner easy spring recipe easy summer dishes easy summer recipes easy upside-down cake recipe easy vegetable recipes elegant dessert elegant desserts elegant entertaining european cocktails everything spice farm fresh farm to table farm-to-table baking farm-to-table wine pairings farmers market farmers market baking farmers market cooking farmers market finds farmers market recipe farmers market recipes farmers market salad farow at home fava top sauce fennel salad feta salad fine dining flaky crust flaky pie crust flavor balance floral dessert flourless chocolate cake food and wine food lovers food preservation food science franciacorta frappato french baking french melon french wine french-inspired fresh apricots fresh corn fresh fruit dessert fresh fruit recipes fresh herb pasta fresh herbs fresh peach recipe fresh pineapple upside-down cake fresh produce fresh salad fresh summer recipes fresh vegetable pasta fried corn from scratch from scratch cooking frozen desserts fruit and chocolate fruit cobbler fruit compote fruit crisp fruit dessert fruit galette fruit mustard fruit pastry fruit pie fruit sauce fruit tarts fruit topped cake 2/2 furmint wine suggestions galette gamay garden-to-table garnacha gelatin dessert ginger cookie ginger orange jam ginger rhubarb sorbet glaze global flavors gluten free gluten free baking gluten free dessert gluten free recipe gluten-free gluten-free recipes gluten-free salad gluten-optional goat cheese tart golden brown potato cakes good wine gourmet cooking graduation wine grain bowl recipes grain free dessert grain salad greco di tufo green garlic green garlic recipes green onions green sauce grenache grenache rosé grilled corn grilled vegetables grilling grilling wine grits ground beef grower champagne grüner veltliner grüner veltliner food pairing healthy healthy dinner healthy dressings healthy gazpacho healthy lunch healthy salad healthy salad recipes healthy salads healthy summer sides hearty meals hearty vegetarian heirloom wheat herbal tea herbed goat cheese herby sauce hibiscus tea holiday holiday baking holiday food home baking home cooking homemade angel food cake homemade carrot cake homemade dessert homemade jam homemade mustard homemade pie homemade pie crust homemade pineapple cake homemade potato fritters homemade sauce homemade seasoning homemade sorbet homemade spice mix homemade vinaigrette honey roasted carrots how chefs think how to make pie dough ice cream topping ice pop recipes iced tea individual tarts ingredient spotlight ingredients iodized salt israeli food italian italian aperitivo italian cocktails jam recipes jam with grams and cups japanese food kitchen wisdom kofte kohlrabi kosher salt lambrusco latke-style pancakes layered dessert learn about buckwheat lemon lemon cardamom lemon curd lemon pasta lemon vinaigrette light lunch light red wines lime vinaigrette linguine recipes local food local seasonal eating loire valley wine make ahead brunch make ahead dessert make-ahead make-ahead dessert marinade mayo dressing meal prep meal prep salad meal prep salads meatballs mediterranean cooking mediterranean flavors mediterranean food mediterranean-inspired middle eastern food middle eastern recipes middle eastern spices middle eastern-inspired mint mint salad recipes moist carrot cake recipe moroccan salad mother's day wine mothers day mothers day brunch muffin recipe mustard recipe natural antioxidants natural wine negroni recipe no bean chili no cook recipes no-churn sorbet no-cook rhubarb non-alcoholic north african food north african inspired north african recipe nostalgic recipes okonomiyaki olive oil one-pan meals orange blossom organic organic cooking organic desserts organic ingredients organic produce organic recipes organic spring recipes organic vegetables organic wine organic wine pairings oven baked dessert oven baked skillet overwintered carrots overwintered spinach panna cotta pantry staples pappardelle recipes parmesan cream sauce parmesan salad parmigiano pastry pastry cream pastry recipe pea tendril recipe peach bbq sauce peach bellini peach cobbler peach dessert recipe peach pie peach recipes peach salad perfect bottle of wine perfect pie dough pesto alternative pickled beet salad pickled beets pickled beets recipe picnic food ideas picnic recipe pie baking tips pie crust pie tutorial pineapple dessert pineapple upside down cake pink wine pinot meunier pinot noir pinot noir rosé pistachio vinaigrette plant-based plant-based recipes potato potato pancakes with yogurt potato recipe potato recipes pots de creme preserved lemon preserving professional chef prosecco cocktails provence rosé queso fresco quick quick pasta dishes quick side dish radish greens radish recipes radish salad raspberries recipe recipe development recipes red wine for warm weather refreshing drinks refreshing recipes regenerative farming rhubarb rhubarb condiment rhubarb crisp rhubarb dessert rhubarb desserts rhubarb dressing rhubarb ice pops rhubarb ideas rhubarb jam rhubarb recipe rhubarb recipes rhubarb recipes savory rhubarb sorbet rhubarb tart rhubarb vinaigrette rice pudding ricotta roasted beets roasted beets and citrus roasted fruit roasted vegetable topping room temperature salad root vegetables rose desserts rose water roses de jeanne rosé wine rustic rustic cooking rustic dessert rustic tart rye crust recipe salad dressing salad dressing with fruit salad with dressing salad with fruit salt salt and flavor salt variety sancerre sandwich spread sauvignon blanc sauvignon blanc recipes savory brunch recipe savory spread savory tart scone recipe sea salt seafood pairing seasonal seasonal baking seasonal cocktails seasonal condiment seasonal cooking seasonal dessert seasonal desserts seasonal eating seasonal fruit seasonal recipes seasonal rhubarb seasonal salad seasonal swaps seasonal sweets seasonal tart seasonal vegetables seasonal wine guide seasoning blend sgroppino recipe shortcake topping side dish side dishes simple baking simple ingredients simple lunch skillet recipes slaw small batch baking small batch jam small batch sorbet snack cake snack recipes sorbet recipes soup soup recipe sourdough sourdough crackers southern food sparkling wine spice blend spice blends spiced carrot cake spiced muffins spices spinach spinach dip spring spring appetizer spring baking spring brunch spring cake spring dessert spring desserts spring food and wine spring onion recipes spring onions spring pasta recipe spring pistou spring produce spring recipe spring recipes spring salad spring salad dressing spring vegetables spring white wines spring wine spring wine pairings stale bread stew stone fruit stone fruit recipes stone fruit salad stone ground grits strawberry rhubarb jam stuffed cabbage sugar snap peas summer appetizers summer baking summer beverages summer cocktail recipes summer dessert summer desserts summer drinks summer entertaining summer preserves summer produce summer recipes summer salad summer side dish summer sides summer soups summer wine summer wines sustainable eating sustainable food sustainable food blog sustainable living sweet and savory sweet and sour sweet and tangy sweet and tangy dressing tagine tahini tahini sauce tahini yogurt sauce tarragon tart and sweet tasmanian wine tasting experience tavel rosé tea time texas chili texture matters thyme yogurt topping traditional method tropical cake recipe trousseau turnip bread pudding turnips unique summer dessert using up leftovers valentines dessert valrhona manjari vanilla vanilla bean vanilla crumb topping vanilla crumble vanilla ice cream pairing vegan condiments vegetable recipes vegetable side vegetable slaw vegetable-forward vegetarian vegetarian appetizer vegetarian recipe vegetarian recipes vegetarian salad vegetarian side dish vegetarian tart veggie tart vermentino vermentino wine food pairing vinaigrette viognier wheat berry wheat berry salad whipped butter white wine whole grain baking whole grain salad wine wine and food wine and food pairing wine blog wine education wine gift ideas wine guide wine pairing wine pairings wine with a chill winter comfort food winter cooking winter dinner winter recipe winter salad winter stew year-round salad yogurt topping za’atar