Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Pots de Creme

Happy 2013 to you!
Yes, I know what day it is, but I'm still celebrating, ok?

I've been meaning to tell you something for weeks, but have been busy, busy, busy.....you know, with stuff, like, eating leftover pumpkin pie. (It freezes great.)


Everyone lets loose during the holidays and indulges for a change. I love giving homemade gifts, especially when this happens...




…feels like a sin eating pots de creme

…so rich and creamy

…and delicious!

…but scared to 

continue

…makes sense?

… feel really guilty eating this!

…feels like a sin

Here's how it happened...

We started the first day of the new year sitting in our breakfast nook, still in our pajamas, being nosey,
watching people walk by our house. This is our favourite morning activity.

Shawn made LavAzzas for us. Even Daisy got a " chocket cap'tseeno."

We were talking about the best things that happened during the holidays. Top scores went to driving Little Miss Daisy around town in the evenings.

She loved looking at the colourful lights on the houses and the cute Christmas characters, announcing from the backseat, "Oh la laaaaaaa....Santa!    Again!"

Then, I got up and started whipping up a batch of pumpkin pie.

Just like that.

Yes, I have to bake.

Can't start the new year without something sweet, don't ya know?
(Try the recipe on the TJoe's canned pumpkin label - it's killer good)

Anyhow, I overfilled the pie crust and still had a ton of batter left over.
Big surprise.

What to do? What to do?
Can't throw it away. This stuff was amazing.

So, off to the stove!
Heated gently with chunks of dark chocolate, these chocolate pumpkin pots de creme are proven irresistible.

And, as a bonus, they're healthier than you'd think. Rich in beta-carotene-rich pumpkin

and heart-healthy dark chocolate.

But, wait. There's MORE.
Or less?

No butter.

No frosting.

No icing.

No crackers, crumbs or crusts.

And, so damned tasty, you won't stop at eating just one.

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Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Pots de Creme
(Inspired by Trader Joe's Pumpkin Pie Recipe)
Serves: 6 Drooly Chocoholics

What to Get
1/4 cup pumpkin puree (TJoe's Organic Canned is excellent)
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 egg
2 pinches cinnamon
pinch cracked black pepper
pinch nutmeg
pinch cloves
pinch salt
1 1/2 cups dark chocolate (TJoe's Belgian Dark pounder)

What to Do
Toss all the ingredients into a heavy bottom pot and mix together.

Take it to the stove on medium heat, stirring constantly.

After about 10 minutes, the chocolate should melt and the custard
should have a creamy, smooth consistently.

Remove from heat and pour into 6 heatproof ramekins or mugs.
Chill til set.
I had a set of vintage orange Jadeite lusterware mugs that I filled and wrapped up in shiny cellophane.

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These li'l guys are light, yet luscious. They're delicious on their own or with fresh berries.

And they took very li'l time to make.

After breakfast, Daisy grabbed a book & took Shawn's hand,
wobbling in her footie-pajamas
toward the couch.
It was story-time.
Milou was interested, too.

In the early afternoon, my niece & nephew came for a visit. My sister is great at orchestrating activities that keep the kids happy.

They love painting, drawing, creating beautiful things. Even Daisy stayed put for a while.





The holidays are a crazy, busy, cozy, time of year. Shopping, baking, writing cards, decorating.
Eating, drinking and being merry.

But, sometimes you've got to remember to sloooow down and enjoy the moment.
Shawn's good at reminding me of that.

Clean later.

Play now.

he likes to say.

Don't tell him I told you,
but he's right! ;)