Herrencreme with a Twist

Ingredients

• 4 egg yolks 4 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 2 cups (470ml) whole milk 2 cups (470ml) whole milk
• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• 1 tablespoon rum 1 tablespoon rum
• 1/4 cup (60ml) strong brewed espresso 1/4 cup (60ml) strong brewed espresso
• 4 ounces (113g) dark chocolate, finely chopped 4 ounces (113g) dark chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• Grated chocolate, for garnish Grated chocolate, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 24g, 14g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 35g, 30g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until pale and creamy.
2. 2.
   In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Add the split vanilla bean and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. 3.
   Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
4. 4.
   Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Do not let it boil.
5. 5.
   Remove the custard from the heat and stir in the rum. Let it cool for a few minutes.
6. 6.
   In a separate bowl, combine the espresso and chopped dark chocolate. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
7. 7.
   Pour the chocolate ganache into the bottom of serving glasses or bowls, dividing it evenly.
8. 8.
   Gently pour the cooled custard over the chocolate ganache, dividing it evenly.
9. 9.
   Place the glasses in the refrigerator and let them chill for at least 2 hours, or until set.
10. 10.
    In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
11. 11.
    Top each serving of Herrencreme with a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkle with grated chocolate.
12. 12.
    Serve chilled and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Vanilla bean — Scrape the seeds out of the vanilla bean and add them to the custard for maximum flavor. You can also save the empty vanilla bean pod to infuse sugar or make vanilla extract.
• Dark chocolate — Use high-quality dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa for a rich and intense flavor in the ganache.

Tips & Tricks

• For a non-alcoholic version, you can omit the rum or substitute it with rum extract.
• Make sure to let the custard cool slightly before pouring it over the chocolate ganache to prevent the layers from mixing.
• To save time, you can prepare the custard and chocolate ganache in advance and assemble the Herrencreme just before serving.
• Garnish with a sprinkle of grated chocolate or chocolate shavings for an elegant presentation.
• Serve the Herrencreme in transparent glasses to showcase the beautiful layers.

Serving advice

Serve the Herrencreme chilled in individual glasses or bowls to showcase the layers. It can be enjoyed as a standalone dessert or paired with a crisp biscuit or cookie on the side.

Presentation advice

For an elegant presentation, garnish each serving of Herrencreme with a dusting of cocoa powder or a drizzle of chocolate sauce. You can also add a fresh mint leaf or a small edible flower as a finishing touch.