Best Chocolate Tartlets Recipes

DARK CHOCOLATE AND LEMON GANACHE TARTLETS

Steps:

• FOR PASTRY:
• Combine flour, powdered sugar and salt in processor. Using on/off turns, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add egg yolk, cream and vanilla. Process until moist clumps form. Gather dough into ball. Divide dough in half. Flatten each half into disk. Wrap in plastic. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated. Let dough soften slightly at room temperature before rolling.)
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 375°F. Roll out 1 dough disk on lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Using plate as guide, cut out three 6-inch rounds. Transfer rounds to 4 1/2-inch-diameter tartlet pans with removable bottoms. Press dough into pans. Fold in any excess dough; press to form double-thick sides. Repeat rolling, cutting and forming with remaining dough disk, making 6 crusts total. Freeze crust until firm, about 5 minutes.
• Place crusts on large baking sheet. Bake until light golden brown, about 20 minutes. Transfer to rack and cool crusts completely. Remove crusts from pans.
• FOR FILLING:
• Bring 3/4 cup cream to simmer in heavy medium saucepan. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and whisk until smooth. Mix in 1 tablespoon lemon peel. Divide chocolate among cooled crusts. Refrigerate tartlets until filling is set, about 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.)
• Combine 1/4 cup cream and 1/2 teaspoon lemon peel in large bowl. Beat until soft peaks form. Spoon whipped cream into pastry bag fitted with star tip. Pipe cream decoratively atop tartlets. Garnish with lemon twists, if desired.

WHITE CHOCOLATE-RASPBERRY CRèME BRûLéE TARTLETS

Steps:

• For crusts:
• Blend flour, sugar and salt in processor. Add butter and ginger and process using on/off turns until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add ice water and blend until moist clumps form. Gather dough into ball and divide into 2 pieces. Flatten each into disk and wrap in plastic. Chill until firm, about 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll out each dough disk on lightly floured surface to 6-inch round. Press into each of two 4 1/2-inch tartlet pans with removable bottoms. Trim overhang to 1/2 inch. Fold overhang in, pressing to form double-thick sides. Pierce crusts all over with fork. Freeze 15 minutes. Bake crusts until golden, piercing with fork if crusts bubble, about 25 minutes. Transfer to rack. Immediately spoon 1/2 tablespoon preserves over bottom of each crust. Cool completely. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
• For custard:
• Bring cream to simmer in heavy medium saucepan. Remove from heat, add white chocolate and whisk until melted. Whisk yolks and vanilla in medium bowl. Slowly whisk cream mixture into yolks to blend well. Divide custard between crusts. Bake tartlets until center is just set, about 20 minutes. Cool on rack. Chill tartlets overnight.
• Preheat broiler. Sprinkle each tartlet with 1 teaspoon sugar. Broil just until sugar melts and browns, covering crusts with foil to prevent burning, about 2 minutes. Refrigerate tartlets until cold, at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours. Arrange raspberries around edge of tartlets.

CHOCOLATE AND PECAN TARTLETS

Steps:

• Mix softened butter and cream cheese in a bowl until smooth. Blend in flour, a bit at a time, confectioners' sugar and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Form dough into a disk. Cover in plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 3 hours. Heat oven to 325°F. Divide dough into 24 balls; press into two 12-cup mini muffin tins, pushing dough up over edges. Refrigerate. Mix brown sugar, chocolate, egg, melted butter, vanilla and remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt in a bowl until combined. Divide half the pecans among muffin cups; top with brown sugar mixture; sprinkle remaining pecans on top. Bake 20 minutes or until dough is lightly golden around edges. Let sit 5 minutes. Run tip of knife around cup edges to loosen. Remove when cool enough to handle; transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE-PECAN TARTLETS

Steps:

• Place crushed wafers in a bowl. Drizzle with rum and toss to combine. Let stand 15 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons pecans., In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave milk, covered, on high for 15 seconds. Stir in chocolate chips and vanilla; microwave 15-30 seconds longer or until blended, stirring twice. Stir into wafer mixture., Place tart shells on a serving plate. Fill each with 1 teaspoon wafer mixture; top each with 1 teaspoon frosting. Sprinkle with additional pecans. Refrigerate leftovers.

CARAMELIZED-BANANA TARTLETS WITH BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE PORT SAUCE

Steps:

• For crust:
• Using electric mixer, beat first 6 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Add flour; beat until moist clumps form. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic; chill 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Divide dough into 6 equal pieces. Press 1 piece evenly onto bottom and up sides of each of six 4 1/2-inch-diameter tartlet pans with removable bottoms. Bake crusts until deep golden brown and cooked through, about 25 minutes. Cool crusts completely in pans on rack. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and store at room temperature.)
• For filling:
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until beginning to brown. Add half of bananas to skillet in single layer; cook until bananas brown on bottom, about 45 seconds. Using thin spatula, turn slices over; sprinkle 1/4 cup sugar evenly over bananas. Cook until sugar dissolves and turns golden, occasionally swirling pan, about 3 minutes. Turn banana slices over; add 3 tablespoons warm water and continue cooking until caramel thickens slightly, swirling pan, about 2 minutes. Arrange banana slices in each of 3 tartlet crusts; spoon any caramel from skillet over. Clean skillet, then repeat procedure with remaining butter, bananas, sugar, and water. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Let stand uncovered at room temperature. Warm in 350°F oven 10 minutes before continuing recipe.)
• Top each tartlet with scoop of vanilla ice cream. Drizzle each tartlet with Bittersweet Chocolate-Port Sauce and serve.

CHOCOLATE TARTLETS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 5 (4 1/2-inch) tartlet pans with nonstick spray.
• Divide the cookie dough into 5 equal-sized balls. Press each dough ball into the tartlet pans; making sure it covers the sides and bottoms. Put the pans on a cookie sheet and bake until golden, about 15 to 18 minutes. Remove the pans from the oven and let cool completely. Turn the oven down to 325 degrees F.
• Put the chopped chocolate into a bowl. Add the heavy cream to a small saucepan over low heat. Bring the cream up to a low simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Stir or whisk the chocolate and cream until smooth and melted. Stir in the corn syrup, sugar, and salt. Whisk in the beaten egg. Ladle the filling into the cooled tart shells and bake until the filling is set and the surface is glossy, about 15 to18 minutes. Remove the tartlets from the oven and let cool. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings and serve.

CHOCOLATE-HONEY-ALMOND TARTLETS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Fill a mini-muffin tin with mini-cupcake liners.
• Add the graham crackers and almonds to the bowl of a food processor. Process until the mixture forms fine crumbs, 15 to 20 seconds. Add the butter and pulse until incorporated. Place 1 tablespoon of the crumb mixture into each lined muffin cup and use your fingers or a shot glass to gently press down the mixture. Bake for 8 minutes, rotating the muffin tin halfway through, until the crusts are firm.
• Add the chocolate chips to a medium bowl. In a small saucepan, whisk the cream and honey together over low heat until the honey has dissolved. Increase the heat to medium and bring the mixture to just below a boil. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and whisk until the mixture is smooth. Pour 1 tablespoon of the chocolate filling into each muffin cup. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE AND HAZELNUT TARTLETS WITH JACK DANIEL'S ICE CREAM

Steps:

• For sauce:
• Stir sugar, corn syrup, and 1/3 cup water in heavy large saucepan over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high and boil without stirring until mixture turns deep amber, occasionally swirling pan and brushing down sides with wet pastry brush, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat and immediately add butter and salt (mixture will bubble vigorously). Stir until butter melts. Add cream and coffee; whisk to blend. Cool. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.
• For ice cream:
• Stir sugar, corn syrup, and 1/3 cup water in heavy large saucepan over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high and boil without stirring until mixture turns deep amber, occasionally swirling pan and brushing down sides with wet pastry brush, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat and immediately add butter and salt (mixture will bubble vigorously). Stir until butter melts. Add cream and coffee; whisk to blend. Cool. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.
• Whisk sugar, egg yolks, and pinch of salt in medium bowl. Gradually whisk milk mixture into egg mixture; return to saucepan. Stir over medium heat until thickened slightly and finger leaves path when drawn across spoon, about 4 minutes (do not boil). Strain into another medium bowl. Stir in Jack Daniel's. Cover and chill custard until cold, at least 5 hours.
• Process custard in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer ice cream to container, cover, and freeze. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep frozen.
• For crust:
• Blend flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in processor. Add butter. Using on/off turns, process until coarse meal forms. Add 3 tablespoons ice water; using on/off turns, process until moist clumps form, adding more water by teaspoonfuls if too dry. Form dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic and chill dough 1 hour. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Divide dough into 6 equal portions. Press 1 dough portion onto bottom and up sides of each of six 4 1/2x1/2- inch tartlet pans with removable bottoms. Freeze crusts 30 minutes.
• Bake crusts until dry and set, about 15 minutes. Cool completely.
• For filling:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grind nuts in processor until paste forms. Transfer to bowl. Add chocolate and salt to bowl. Bring cream and milk just to boil in small saucepan; pour over chocolate mixture in bowl. Whisk until chocolate melts. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Add sugar, egg, and egg yolk; whisk until smooth.
• Pour filling into cooled tartlet crusts, dividing equally. Bake until filling is set and some small cracks appear on surface, about 15 minutes. Cool. DO AHEAD: Can be made 6 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Remove pan sides from tartlets. Place 1 tartlet on each of 6 plates. Serve with scoop of ice cream and drizzle with sauce.

CHOCOLATE COGNAC TRUFFLE TARTLETS

Steps:

• FOR CRUST:
• Mix first 3 ingredients in small bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter, brown sugar and vanilla in medium bowl until creamy. Add flour mixture and stir with fork until coarse crumbs form. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic; chill until beginning to firm, about 20 minutes.
• Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. Press 1 dough piece evenly over bottom and up sides of each 4 1/2-inch-diameter tartlet pan with removable bottom. Freeze 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F. Line crusts with foil; fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake crusts until set, about 20 minutes. Remove foil and beans (some crust may stick to foil). Bake until crusts feel dry, about 5 minutes longer. Transfer to rack; cool completely.
• FOR FILLING AND TRUFFLES:
• Combine cream and butter in medium saucepan. Stir over low heat until butter melts. Add chocolate; stir until melted. Whisk in Cognac. Cool filling 15 minutes.
• Spoon enough filling into each crust to fill (about 1/2 cup for each); reserve remaining filling. Refrigerate tartlets and remaining filling overnight.
• Line small baking sheet with foil. Form remaining filling into balls, using generous rounded 1/2 teaspoonful for each. Place on prepared sheet. Freeze 15 minutes. Roll each truffle in chopped pecans, coating completely. Freeze until truffles are firm, about 1 hour.
• Let tartlets stand at room temperature 15 minutes. Place paper in lattice pattern atop 1 tartlet. Sift cocoa over. Remove strips. Repeat with remaining tartlets. Garnish each with 3 truffles.

WHITE CHOCOLATE TARTLETS WITH STRAWBERRY COULIS

Steps:

• Make crusts:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grind biscotti and almonds in processor until finely ground. Add butter and process until well blended. Divide mixture equally among eight 4 1/2-inch diameter tartlet pans with removable bottoms (about 1/3 cup mixture for each). Press mixture onto bottoms and up sides of pans. Bake until crusts are golden brown, about 15 minutes. Transfer pans to racks; cool completely.
• Make filling:
• Bring 1/2 cup whipping cream to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Remove from heat. Add chopped white chocolate and stir until melted and smooth. Cool mixture to room temperature. Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese in large bowl until smooth. Gradually add white chocolate mixture and beat until well blended. Beat remaining 3/4 cup whipping cream, sugar and vanilla in medium bowl until medium-firm peaks form. Fold into cream cheese mixture in 2 additions. Divide filling among prepared tartlet crusts (about 1/2 filing for each). Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
• Make coulis:
• Combine strawberries, water, 3 tablespoons sugar and lemon juice in blender. Purée until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours. (Tartlets and coulis can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• Remove tartlets from pans. Place 1 tartlet on each of 8 plates. Spoon strawberry coulis alongside and serve.

JULIA'S CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE TARTLETS

Steps:

• Line a jelly roll pan with parchment and keep at hand.
• Remove the bottoms from six 4 1/2 inch fluted tartlet pans (or use pans with permanent bottoms and just plan to pop the tartlets out once they're filled, baked, and cooled); spray the pans with vegetable oil spray or brush with melted butter.
• Cut the dough into six even pieces.
• Working with one piece at a time, shape the dough into a rough circle, then tamp it down with a rolling pin.
• Flour the work surface and the top of the dough and roll it into a circle 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.
• As you roll, lift the dough with the help of a dough scraper to keep it from sticking.
• If the dough breaks (as it sometimes does even when the pros are rolling it), press it back together and keep going- it will be fine once it's baked.
• Fit the dough into a tartlet ring, pressing it into the fluted edges and cutting the top level with the edges of the pan.
• Again, patch as you go.
• Use a pastry brush to dust off any excess flour and place the lined tartlet ring on the prepared baking pan.
• When all of the shells are rolled out, chill them for at least 20 minutes.
• (Please see note in my Chocolate Tart Dough recipe regarding this step.)
• Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Prick the bottoms of the crust all over with the tines of a fork and bake for 12-15 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time, until the crusts are dry, blistery, and firm.
• Transfer the baking pan to a rack so that the crusts can cool while you make the filling.
• Reduce the oven temp to 300°F.
• •Julia tells you here to melt the butter and chocolate over a double-boiler on the stove. I use the microwave at half power, checking every 30 seconds after the first minute, and stirring each time.
• Allow to cool until it is slightly warmer than room temperature.
• Put the yolks and vanilla extract in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
• Start beating the yolks at medium speed, and then, when they are broken up, reduce the speed to low and gradually add the sugar.
• Increase the speed to medium-high and beat the yolks and sugar until the yolks thicken and form a slowly dissolving ribbon when the beater is lifted.
• Spoon about one third of the yolks onto the cooled chocolate mixture and fold them in with a rubber spatula.
• Don't worry about being too thorough.
• Pour the chocolate into the beaten yolks and gently fold the two mixtures together until they are almost completely blended.
• Add the cubed chocolates and biscotti, folding to incorporate the chunky pieces.
• Using an ice cream scoop or 1/4 cup measure, divide the filling evenly among the cooled shells.
• Smooth the filling with a small offset spatula, working it into the nooks and crannies as you circle the tops of the tarts.
• Bake the tarts for 10-12 minutes, until the tops look dry and the filling is just set.
• Remove to a rack to cool for about 20 minutes before serving.
• Best the day these are made, these are still terrific after they've been refrigerated- they lose their textural finesse, but the taste is still very much there.
• For longer keeping, wrap the tartlets airtight, and freeze them for up to a month.
• Thaw, still wrapped, at room temperature.
• Cook's Notes: Instead of individual tartlets, I made a 10-inch tart, and adjusted the baking time a bit longer than what is noted in the recipe.
• Additionally, when the tart came out of the oven, I wasn't pleased with the way the tops looked- too bumpy.
• So I made a quick ganache (2 ounces bittersweet chocolate+ 1/3 cup cream, nuked for about a minute, and stirred until smooth), and spread it over the top.
• Yeah, this was decadent.
• It was incredible the day it was served.
• The remainder was frozen and pulled out at the last minute for an impromptu guest dessert.
• I let it thaw at room temp for about 20 minutes before serving.
• I think I liked it better that way.
• Either way, it's an extravagant gut-bomb that is certain to please.

CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE PHYLLO TARTLETS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, melted chocolate and vanilla until smooth. , Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert #32 star pastry tip. Fill the bag with cream cheese mixture; pipe into tart shells. Garnish with chocolate curls if desired. Refrigerate until serving.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERSCOTCH TARTLETS

Steps:

• Place chocolate and butterscotch chips in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup cream just to a boil. Pour over chips; whisk until smooth. Stir in brandy. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate until chilled., In a large bowl, beat remaining cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form. Spoon chocolate mixture into tart shells; top with whipped cream and garnish with orange zest. Refrigerate until serving.

SALTED CHOCOLATE TARTLETS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to an 1/8-inch thickness. With a 3 1/2-inch cookie cutter, cut dough into 24 rounds (reroll scraps if necessary), then press into 24 standard muffin cups (dough should come 3/4 inch up sides). Freeze until firm, 10 minutes (or up to 1 day).
• Bake until shells are golden, 18 minutes. Let cool completely in pan.
• In a medium heatproof bowl, combine chocolate and 1/2 teaspoon salt. In a small saucepan, bring cream to a bare simmer over medium-high. Immediately pour over chocolate, add vanilla, and let sit 1 minute. Stir gently until mixture is completely smooth. Pour chocolate into cooled shells and refrigerate until set, 20 minutes. To serve, sprinkle with coarse salt.

BERRY ALMOND TARTLETS WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• For the almond pastry, put the flour, ground almonds, sugar and 1⁄4 tsp salt into a food processor and work for 5 seconds until mixed. Add the butter and pulse for about 10 seconds until the mixture forms fine crumbs. Tip into a bowl, add the egg yolks and almond extract and mix with a knife to make coarse crumbs (don't do this in the machine or you'll overwork it and make the pastry tough). Turn out on to the work surface and knead briefly by hand to a smooth, pliable ball. If it's too sticky, work in a little more flour. Wrap in cling film and chill for at least 30 minutes until firm.
• Brush six 9cm loose-bottomed tartlet tins with melted butter. Divide the ball of dough in half and work with one piece at a time. Roll it out on non-stick baking parchment until 3mm thick. Cut out three 13cm rounds using a plain pastry cutter or a small upturned saucer as a template. Ease each disc of pastry into the tins and press them on to the base and sides so the edges of the pastry come slightly above the top edge of the tins. Prick the bases with a fork so they do not puff up in the oven and set them on a baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the pastry. Chill for at least 15 minutes until firm. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to fan 180C/conventional 200C/gas 6.
• Line the tartlets with small squares of buttered foil, pressing them well against the sides to hold up the dough during baking. Bake for 7-8 minutes until the pastry starts to brown. Remove the foil and continue baking for a further 3-4 minutes until they are golden brown. Let them cool in the tins, then turn them out to be sure they are loose. Replace them in the tins for support before adding the filling.
• For the ganache, break the chocolate into a bowl. Bring the cream just to the boil, pour on to the chocolate and leave for 2-3 minutes, then stir until smooth. Chill without stirring for 8-12 minutes until the ganache is cool but still soft enough to pour, then pour a shallow layer into each tartlet to cover the base. Chill until set, then unmould the tartlets and let them come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes. (They can be kept covered, at room temperature, for up to 6 hours.)
• To finish, warm the redcurrant jelly with 1 tbsp water and stir until smooth. Pick over the raspberries and pile them casually on top of the ganache. Spoon over a little of the warm glaze and decorate each tartlet with a tiny sprig of mint.

PISTACHIO AND WHITE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE TARTLETS

Steps:

• In 1-quart saucepan, heat whipping cream just to boiling. Place white chocolate in small metal bowl. Pour hot cream over chocolate; stir until smooth. Stir in liqueur. Refrigerate about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until very cold.
• In large bowl, beat cold chocolate mixture with electric mixer on medium speed about 1 minute or until mixture begins to thicken, then on high speed until stiff peaks form. (If mixture will not beat into stiff peaks, it is not cold enough.) Continue with recipe, or store in refrigerator up to 4 hours before making tartlets.
• Just before serving, spoon mousse into gallon-size food-storage plastic bag; seal bag. Cut 1/2-inch tip off bottom corner of bag; evenly pipe mousse into each phyllo shell. Sprinkle each tartlet with nuts and garnish with 1 raspberry. Store covered in refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL TARTLETS WITH ROASTED BANANAS AND GINGER-CITRUS CARAMEL

Steps:

• Sift flour and cocoa into small bowl. Using electric mixer, beat powdered sugar and butter in medium bowl until well blended. Beat in flour mixture. Beat in egg yolks 1 at a time. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Chill at least 1 hour and up to 1 day. Soften slightly at room temperature before rolling out.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll out dough on floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Using 5-inch-diameter plate or bowl as guide, cut out rounds. Reroll dough scraps if necessary to form four 5-inch rounds total. Press each dough round onto bottom and up sides of 4 1/4- to 4 1/2-inch-diameter tartlet pan with removable bottom. Pierce crusts all over with fork. Freeze crusts 10 minutes. Bake until firm to touch and beginning to pull away from sides of pans, about 15 minutes. Cool crusts completely in pans on rack.
• Combine sugar and next 3 ingredients in heavy small saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil without stirring until deep amber color, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat; add cream (mixture will bubble vigorously). Stir over low heat until any caramel bits dissolve and caramel is smooth. Whisk in butter. Set aside.
• Bring cream and corn syrup to boil in heavy small saucepan. Add star anise; remove from heat. Cover; let steep 15 minutes. Discard star anise. Return mixture to boil. Remove from heat. Add 4 1/2 ounces coarsely chopped bittersweet chocolate and butter; whisk ganache topping until smooth.
• Stir 1 ounce finely chopped bittersweet chocolate in top of double boiler set over simmering water until melted. Brush inside of each crust with melted chocolate, then sprinkle each with 1 generous teaspoon chopped cashews. Spoon caramel filling over nuts in crusts (about 2 tablespoons for each). Chill tartlets until caramel sets slightly, about 30 minutes.
• Rewarm chocolate ganache topping just until pourable, if necessary. Spoon chocolate ganache atop caramel filling. Refrigerate just until ganache sets, about 45 minutes, then let tartlets stand at room temperature. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover tartlets loosely and let stand at room temperature.)
• Stir 1/4 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons water in heavy small saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil without stirring until medium (not deep) amber color, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; slowly add orange juice and 1/2 teaspoon ginger juice. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean. Return mixture to boil, stirring until any caramel bits dissolve. Boil until sauce is slightly syrupy and reduced to 1/4 cup, about 4 minutes. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; let stand at room temperature. Rewarm over low heat just until pourable.)
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Melt butter in heavy small saucepan over low heat. Add brown sugar; whisk until blended, about 1 minute. Add banana slices and toss to coat. Transfer banana mixture to small baking sheet. Bake until bananas begin to brown slightly around edges and sugar mixture bubbles, about 4 minutes.
• Remove sides from tartlet pans. Place tartlets on plates. Drizzle ginger caramel sauce around tartlets. Arrange banana slices alongside. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons cashews and serve.
• *Brown star-shaped seedpods sold at Asian markets, at specialty foods stores, and in the spice section of some supermarkets

WHITE CHOCOLATE TARTLETS WITH STRAWBERRIES AND BANANAS

Steps:

• for crust:
• Blend first 4 ingredients in processor until nuts are finely ground. Add butter; cut in using on/off turns until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 2 tablespoons ice water and vanilla; process until moist clumps form, adding more ice water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry. Gather dough into ball. Divide into 6 equal pieces. Flatten each into disk. Wrap each in plastic; chill 2 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled. Let dough soften slightly before continuing.)
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Press 1 dough disk evenly onto bottom and up sides of 4 1/2-inch-diameter tartlet pan with removable bottom. Pierce crust all over with fork. Repeat with remaining 5 dough disks. Freeze crusts until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Bake crusts until golden and baked through, about 25 minutes. Remove from oven. Immediately sprinkle bittersweet chocolate over bottom of hot crusts, dividing equally. Let stand until chocolate melts, about 5 minutes. Using back of spoon, spread chocolate over bottom of crusts. Chill until chocolate sets, about 10 minutes.
• for filling:
• Stir white chocolate in top of double boiler set over barely simmering water until just melted and smooth. Remove top of double boiler from over water. Cool white chocolate to room temperature. Beat cream and liqueur in medium bowl until soft peaks form. Fold cream mixture into melted white chocolate in 3 additions. Divide filling among tartlet crusts; smooth tops. Chill until filling is set, about 4 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover loosely with foil; keep chilled.)
• Gently toss banana slices and orange juice in bowl. Transfer banana slices to paper towels; pat dry. Alternate banana slices and strawberry slices in circle atop tartlets, overlapping. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Chill.)

CHOCOLATE HONEY ALMOND TARTLETS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a mini-muffin tin with mini-cupcake liners.
• Place the graham crackers and the almonds in the bowl of a food processor and process to fine crumbs, 15 to 20 seconds. Add the butter and pulse until incorporated. Add 1 tablespoon of the crumb mixture to each muffin cup, gently pressing it into the bottom of the cup with your fingers or a shot glass. Bake for 8 minutes, or until the crusts are firm, rotating the tin halfway through.
• In a small saucepan over low heat, whisk the cream and honey together until the honey has dissolved. Raise the heat to medium and bring the mixture to just below the boil. Place the chocolate chips in a medium bowl. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and whisk until smooth. Pour 1 tablespoon of the chocolate filling into each prepared muffin cup. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

CHOCOLATE GANACHE HEART TARTLETS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Make the tart shells: Coat five 5-inch heart-shaped tart pans with cooking spray. Whisk together flour, cocoa, and salt.
• Beat butter with a mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add sugar, and beat until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low. Add vanilla and flour mixture, and mix until dough just begins to hold together, 1 to 2 minutes. Turn out dough onto plastic wrap, wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut dough into 5 equal pieces, and press into bottom and up sides of prepared tart pans. Using a sharp paring knife, trim excess dough flush with edges of pans. Patch any tears. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Bake tart shells on a rimmed baking sheet until firm, about 25 minutes. Let cool completely on wire racks.
• Make the ganache filling: Place chocolate in a bowl. Heat cream and milk in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until almost boiling; pour over chocolate. Let stand for 2 minutes. Slowly whisk until smooth. Let stand 10 minutes more. Stir in egg. Return tart shells to baking sheet, and pour in filling. Bake until just set, about 25 minutes. Let cool completely before removing from pans. Decorate with meringue hearts.