Best Bittersweet Chocolate Tart Recipes

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE TART WITH CREME ANGLAISE AND VANILLA ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Prepare a large bowl of ice water.
• In a heavy saucepan, add milk, vanilla beans, and cassia sticks tied in a loose knot and bring to a simmer on medium heat. Concurrently, in a mixing bowl, whisk eggs and sugar together. When the milk reaches a simmer, whisk in 1 cup of the hot milk to the egg mixture. Whisk this mix back to the hot milk, reduce heat to low and constantly stir with a wooden spoon.
• When mixture thickens enough to coat the back the wooden spoon and a line drawn with your finger holds it shape (about 12 to 15 minutes), immediately strain through a chinoise (fine sieve) into another bowl (a little smaller than the ice bath bowl) and place in ice bath. Stir occasionally to cool down. If there are any vanilla beans left on the pods, scrape into the anglaise. Stir to incorporate and chill sauce until ready to use.Sift the flour, salt and sugar into a food processor fitted with a blade. Add the butter and pulse until it resembles coarse meal, there should be pieces of butter. Add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, pulsing the processor. Only add enough water until the dough just holds together (about 3 to 4 tablespoons). Wrap in plastic and put in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Vanilla Ice Cream: Freeze according to machine?s instructions.
• Bittersweet Chocolate Tart: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to about 9-inch diameter. Use an 8-inch false bottom tart pan and carefully place dough into the pan. Work the dough into the corners and prick with a fork. Cover with foil and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Fill pan with pie weights, rice or beans and bake blind for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5 to 7 minutes, until the dough becomes very light tan. Pull pan out of the oven and let cool at room temperature.
• For the filling, bring the cream to a simmer. Pull off of the heat and add the chocolate. When chocolate is completely melted, mix well, and let cool in the refrigerator. When chocolate mixture is cold, pull out of the refrigerator and whisk in the eggs just until incorporated. Pour into the tart shell and bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes. It should still tremble in the center when lightly shaken. Let tart cool on a rack before demolding. Garnish with powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
• On a large plate, garnish the rim of the plate with powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Ladle a small pool of creme anglaise. Place a slice of the tart off of the side and place 1 scoop of ice cream next to it. For the ultimate, make individual tarts.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE-CITRUS TART WITH JASMINE WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• For crust:
• Combine first 4 ingredients in bowl. Add flour and stir just until blended; let stand 5 minutes. Press dough onto bottom and up sides of 9- to 91/2-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Chill 30 minutes.
• Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 350°F. Bake crust until deep golden, pressing down with back of spoon if bubbles form, about 25 minutes. Cool crust in pan on rack.
• For filling:
• Combine chocolate, butter, and both peels in medium metal bowl. Place bowl in skillet of barely simmering water set over low heat. Stir just until chocolate and butter are melted and smooth. Remove bowl from water. Place fine strainer over bowl with melted chocolate. Keep skillet with water set over low heat.
• Whisk egg yolk in small metal bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in 1/4 cup boiling water. Place bowl in skillet of hot water; stir constantly with heatproof rubber spatula, scraping bottom of bowl to prevent egg from cooking, until instant-read thermometer inserted into egg mixture registers 160°F, about 3 minutes. Immediately pour egg mixture into strainer set over bowl of chocolate. Stir just until egg is incorporated into chocolate and mixture is smooth.
• Pour chocolate filling into crust; tilt slightly to spread evenly (crust will not be completely filled). Cover and chill overnight or up to 2 days. Before serving, let tart soften slightly at room temperature.
• Remove pan sides. Place tart on platter. Using pastry bag fitted with star tip, pipe whipped cream rosettes around edge of tart. Garnish with candied peel.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE AND PEAR TART

Steps:

• Whisk together the melted butter, sugar and salt. Add flour and ground almonds and stir until it feels like damp sand. Press dough evenly along bottom and halfway up the sides of an 8-inch round tart pan with a removable bottom. Use waxed paper or buttered fingers to even out and press dough tightly into the corners. Prick crust all over with a fork and chill while you preheat oven to 350 degrees about 30 minutes. Set pan on a baking sheet and bake until crust is golden brown, about 25 minutes.
• While crust bakes, bring milk, agave and salt to a simmer in a medium saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and pour over chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Let it sit for about 2 minutes without stirring. Starting in the middle of bowl, whisk chocolate together until evenly melted and the mixture a smooth and shiny dark brown.
• Fan pear slices around bottom of the tart shell in one even layer. Whisk beaten egg into the chocolate filling and pour filling over pears and crust. Decrease oven temperature to 300 degrees and return tart to oven; bake until filling is set but still a little wiggly in the center third, about 15 minutes. Remove and cool tart completely on a rack at room temperature. Remove tart from pan sides and carefully transfer to a platter. Slice and serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE AND CAROB GANACHE TART WITH MALTED CANDY BRITTLE

Steps:

• Whisk flour, sugar, and 1 teaspoon coarse salt in large bowl to blend. Add butter and rub in with fingertips until coarse meal forms. Stir cream and egg yolk in small bowl until blended; drizzle over flour mixture. Stir until dough comes together in moist clumps. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap and chill at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.
• Roll out dough on floured surface to 12-inch round. Transfer to 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Cut off all but 1/2-inch overhang. Fold overhang in and press, forming double-thick sides. Pierce bottom of crust with fork; chill 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line crust with foil and fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake until sides of crust are set, about 20 minutes. Remove foil with beans and bake until crust is golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes longer. Cool crust completely.
• Combine bittersweet chocolate and carob in medium bowl. Bring cream to simmer in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Pour cream over chips; let stand 1 minute. Stir until melted and smooth. Add butter and vanilla; stir to blend. Pour filling into cooled crust. Chill uncovered until firm, at least 4 hours. Chop brittle into rough 1/2-inch pieces. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover brittle, cover tart, and keep chilled. Bring to room temperature before continuing.
• Remove tart from pan. Scatter brittle over tart and serve.
• Carob chips are similar to chocolate chips. They are available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and natural foods stores.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE MINT TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Butter the bottom and sides of an 11-inch tart pan with removable bottom; set aside.
• Place hazelnuts on a baking sheet and toast for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and cool. Place cooled nuts in food processor. Add 2 tablespoons of the flour and pulse until finely ground. Place the ground nuts, remaining flour, and salt into a large bowl and combine. Combine the confectioners' sugar, brown sugar, and egg yolks. Using a wooden spoon combine the sugars and yolks until sugars dissolve. Add the softened butter and begin to add the flour and nut mixture. When it is well combined, form a ball and knead the dough. Flatten the dough into a disk and wrap it in waxed paper. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Lightly flour the top and bottom of the dough and roll out between 2 sheets of parchment paper. Turn the dough out into the tart shell and press gently to line the sides. Trim the excess from the edge. Freeze the tart shell for 10 minutes.
• Line the inside of the tart shell with aluminum foil. Place 3 cups of dried beans on top of the foil and place the tart shell on the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the tart shell from the oven. Cool on a rack leaving beans inside. When cool, remove the foil and beans. Reduce temperature to 325 degrees F.
• Place milk in a saucepan. Boil and steep the mint and milk for 10 minutes stirring constantly. Drain and discard the fresh mint. Pour hot milk over chopped chocolate. Let stand for 20 seconds, and then whisk gently. Whisk in the vanilla extract.
• In a large bowl, whisk eggs, yolks, and sugar until blended. Slowly whisk in the chocolate mixture. Using a fine mesh sieve, strain the filling into the cooled pie shell. Bake for 20 minutes or until set. Remove the tart from the oven and cool on a rack. When cool, place in refrigerator until ready to serve.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE TART WITH COFFEE MASCARPONE CREAM

Steps:

• MAKE THE TART SHELL: In a food processor, pulse the flour with the confectioners' sugar and salt.
• Add the butter and egg yolk and process until a soft, crumbly dough forms.
• Transfer the dough to a 9 1/2-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom.
• Pat the dough over the bottom and up the side of the pan in an even layer.
• Refrigerate until firm.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F; line the tart shell with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans.
• Bake the shell for 30 minutes, or until golden around the edge and dry in the center.
• Remove the parchment and weights and cover the rim with foil. Continue to bake the shell for 15 to 20 minutes longer, or until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a rack; let cool.
• MAKE THE FILLING: In a small saucepan, heat the cream with the milk over moderate heat until small bubbles appear around the edges.
• Off the heat, add the chocolate and let stand for 1 minute, then whisk until smooth.
• Let cool for 5 minutes.
• Whisk in the egg; the mixture will thicken slightly.
• Set the tart shell on a baking sheet and fill it with the chocolate custard.
• Bake for 25 minutes, or until set around the edges, but still very jiggly in the center.
• Transfer the tart to a rack to cool, then refrigerate until chilled.
• MAKE THE TOPPING: In a very small saucepan, sprinkle the gelatin over the water and let stand until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add the coffee extract and cook over low heat just until the gelatin melts; let cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, beat the cream, mascarpone and sugar with an electric mixer until firm peaks form.
• At low speed, scrape the gelatin into the bowl and beat to combine.
• Dollop the cream onto the tart and swirl decoratively.
• Sift the cocoa over the cream.
• Refrigerate the tart until firm before serving.
• NOTES If coffee extract is unavailable dissolve 1 1/2 teaspoons of espresso powder in 1 1/2 teaspoons of water.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE GANACHE TART WITH SEA SALT

Steps:

• For the Crust Preheat oven to 350°F. Position a rack in the center of the oven. Cream the butter and sugar in a mixer until completely smooth. Add the egg yolk and mix until completely incorporated. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl. Add the salt and flour. Mix just until the dough comes together and starts to move away from the sides of the bowl. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and lightly knead it into a disc about 6 inches in diameter. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 15 minutes. Roll the dough out on a floured surface into an 11-inch round. Transfer the dough into a 9-inch tart pan with removeable bottom. Gently fit the dough into the pan, trimming off any overhang. Pierce the bottom of the tart shell all over with a fork. Place the tart shell in the freezer for 20 minutes. Line the tart shell with foil and fill it with dried beans or pie weights. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and beans. Bake until the crust is golden brown, 15 - 20 minutes. Cool the tart shell completely before filling. Ganache Filling Place the chocolate in a medium-sized metal or glass bowl. Place the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring it just to a simmer, then immediately pour over the chocolate. Let sit for 30 seconds. Stir together very gently, just until the chocolate melts and the mixture is completely smooth. Pour the filling through a strainer into the prepared tart shell, shaking gently to even out the surface, if needed. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours or until set. Remove the tart about 45 minutes before serving to soften it enough to be sliced. Sprinkle the fleur de sel evenly over the top of the tart before serving.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE-TRUFFLE TART WITH CANDIED ORANGES

Steps:

• 1. MAKE THE CRUST In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle, cream the butter with the sugar and salt at medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the side of the bowl. Beat in the flour at low speed until the mixture resembles wet sand, then beat in the egg yolk until the dough just comes together. Scrape the dough out onto a work surface, gather up any crumbs and pat the dough into a disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 1 hour. 2. MEANWHILE, MAKE THE CANDIED ORANGES In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, oranges and water and bring just to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the orange slices are very tender and suspended in a slightly thick syrup, about 1 hour and 15 minutes; let cool completely. 3. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough to a 12-inch round. Without stretching it, fit the dough into a 10-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. Trim the overhang and use it to patch any holes. Refrigerate the tart shell for 30 minutes. 4. Preheat the oven to 350°. Bake the tart shell for 35 minutes, until golden. Let cool. 5. MEANWHILE, MAKE THE FILLING In a small saucepan, combine the cream, milk and zest and bring just to a simmer. Remove from the heat and let stand for 30 minutes. Return the mixture just to a simmer, then strain it through a fine sieve into a heatproof bowl. Add the chocolate; let stand for 2 minutes, then whisk until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Whisk in the egg yolks, then whisk in the butter and salt. 6. Put the tart shell on a rimmed baking sheet. Pour the filling into the shell and bake for about 15 minutes, until the filling at the edge is just set and the center is nearly set. Let stand at room temperature for 2 hours. 7. Drain the candied oranges well, then arrange them on the tart. Cut the tart into wedges and serve.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE TART

Steps:

• TART SHELL: In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with the paddle, blend 1 cup of all-purpose flour with the butter, sugar, cocoa, almond flour and salt at medium speed. Mix in the egg just until a soft dough forms. Scrape the dough onto a large sheet of plastic wrap and lay another large sheet of plastic wrap on top. Roll out the dough between the plastic wrap to a 12-inch round. Transfer the round to a baking sheet and freeze until firm, 10 mins. Preheat the oven to 325. Peel off the top sheet of plastic and invert the dough onto a 10-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. Remove the remaining sheet of plastic and gently press the dough into the pan. Trim the dough flush with the rim. Freeze until firm, 10 mins. TART SHELL: Line the tart shell with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or beans. Bake in the center of the oven for 30 mins, until the tart shell is nearly cooked through. Remove parchment and weights, bake until the shell is cooked through, about 20 mins longer. Transfer to a rack and let cool. Lower the oven temp. to 250°. FILLING: In a med saucepan, combine the cream and milk and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. Add the chocolate and let stand until melted, 5 min. Whisk until smooth. In a small bowl, whisk the egg with the egg yolk, then whisk in 1/2 cup of the chocolate cream. Thoroughly whisk this custard into the chocolate cream in the saucepan. Pour the filling into the tart shell and bake until set around the rim but still slightly jiggly in the center, 30 miNs. Let the tart cool on a rack for 10 min, then refrigerate until chilled, 2 hrs. GLAZE: In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the milk, let stand 5 minutes. In a small saucepan, whisk the cream, sugar and cocoa over moderate heat until the sugar is dissolved, 2 min. Remove from the heat. Scrape the gelatin into the cocoa, add the milk chocolate and whisk until melted. Pour the glaze over the tart and spread it in an even layer. Frig for 30 min