Laura Calder's Chocolate tart
0
- Prep Time40 mins
- Total Time40 mins
- Makes8 Servings
“A puddingy slice of chocolate with the flavour intensity of a good truffle and just the right degree of wobble is a perfect pairing for a cookie crust. This is a sophisticated dessert to end a late-night dinner with friends.”
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 egg yolks
1/2 tsp vanilla, optional
dried beans, for blind baking
FILLING
112 g semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 cup 35% cream
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 whole egg
1 egg yolk
GLAZE
85 g bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1/4 cup 35% cream
Instructions
Mix the flour and butter with your fingers until they turn into fine crumbs. Mix in the sugar. Finally, add the egg yolks and vanilla (if using), and mix with your fingers just long enough for the mixture to come together into a ball. Or prepare in stages, in a food processor. Pat into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill at least 30 min before lining your tart pan, or refrigerate overnight. Roll out and line your tart pan. Then chill again for 30 min before baking.
When tart-shell pastry has chilled 30 min, preheat oven to 375F (190C). Place tart shell on a baking sheet. To ensure a crisp crust, blind bake the pastry by lining it with a generous piece of parchment or foil so you can pour in dried beans right to the very top. That way, the sides are given plenty of support.
Pop the (parchment-lined, bean-filled) pastry tart shell in the preheated oven for 15 min. Remove to a heatproof surface. Remove parchment and beans. Set the beans aside for another use. Reduce oven temperature to 325F (160C).
For the filling, put the finely chopped semi-sweet chocolate in a bowl. Bring the cream, milk and sugar to a boil in a saucepan. Slowly pour over the chocolate, stirring to melt. Whisk the egg and yolk in a bowl. Gradually add the chocolate mixture, whisking as you go, then strain into the baked tart shell. Bake until set, about 20 to 30 min. Cool completely, then remove from the tart pan after about 1 hour.
For the glaze, put the finely chopped bittersweet chocolate in a small bowl. Bring the cream to a boil, then pour over the chocolate. Stir to melt. Pour over the tart so it coats the top evenly, tipping and spreading with a spatula, if necessary. Let set at room temperature for about an hour, to firm before slicing and serving.