This is most definitely not for the faint hearted...rich, decadent and indulgent. You think you wouldn't possibly be able to finish it all, yet somehow you do. This tart was on the cover of Gourmet Traveller a few years ago and it insisted on being made. Since then it has made a few appearances. If you love chocolate and caramel then this tart is for you.
As it was on the cover of their annual French issue it was the perfect dessert for my French bistro themed Supper Club.
Chocolate Caramel Tart, from Gourmet Traveller and a fabulous French issue quite some time ago.
I have included the recipe for the pastry, which I will get around to making myself one day, however this time round the pastry cases come courtesy of Sabato, whose pastry skills, at this point in time, are far to superior to mine. I need to head over to Hungry and Frozen for some pastry lessons and so can you...just over here.
It looks a little trickier than it is, just break it down and plan ahead as it does take a bit of time while you wait for caramel and mousse to set. That leaves you plenty of time for a cuppa or whatever pottering around takes your fancy.
Serves 10
Ingredients
Shortcrust pastry
240 gm (1¾ cups) plain flour
60 gm caster sugar
180 gm unsalted butter, chilled, coarsely chopped
Or you could buy a good quality tart case or little tartlets.
Caramel
225 gm (1 cup) white sugar
80 ml (1/3 cup) thickened cream
70 gm butter, coarsely chopped
Chocolate mousse
200 gm dark chocolate (53% cocoa solids), coarsely chopped - I used Whittaker's Dark Block
4 eggs, separated
185 ml (¾ cup) thickened cream
2 tbsp caster sugar
Ganache
165gm dark chocolate (53% cocoa solids) coarsely chopped - I used a mixture of Whittaker's Dark Block and Dark Ghana
60 ml (¼ cup) pouring cream
40 gm unsalted butter, softened
To serve, whipped cream...am extra indulgence yes, but it does cut the richness of the tart.
The best chocolate! |
Directions
if you are making your own shortcrust pastry, place flour and sugar in a food processor and whizz to combine, add the butter and pulse until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Add 2 tablespoons of chilled water and process until mixture just comes together. Turn onto a lightly floured surface, form into a disc, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 190C /375F. Roll out pastry to 5mm thick on a lightly floured surface, line a 26cm-diameter tart tin and refrigerate for 1 hour. Blind bake for 20 minutes (see note). You can also make individual tarts. Remove from the oven and cool in the tin on a wire rack.
Or use these and get straight on to the caramel.
For caramel, firstly don't be afraid! Just take your time and keep an eye on it and you will be fine. Place the sugar and 250ml of water in a heavy-based saucepan and stir over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high and cook, brushing down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush if sugar crystals form, until mixture is deep golden, about 10-15 minutes. You really do want quite a deep gold to deliver a real rich caramelly flavour. Remove from the heat, add the cream and the butter and stir to combine. Just be careful as the mixture will spit. Pour the caramel into the pastry base or bases if making individual tarts and refrigerate until firm. It will take 1-2 hours.
Next up chocolate mousse. This would actually be quite lovely as a dessert all on its own. Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, remove from heat, cool to room temperature, add the egg yolks, stir to combine and set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk the cream until soft peaks form and set aside. Whisk egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer until soft peaks form, gradually add sugar and continue whisking until well combined. Fold a third of the egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture, then fold in a third of the cream. Repeat with the remaining egg white and cream until combined, spoon over the cooled caramel, smooth top flush with tart edges and refrigerate until firm, another 2-3 hours.
For the ganache combine the chocolate and cream in a small saucepan and stir over a low heat until chocolate melts. Remove from the heat, add the butter and stir to combine. Cool to room temperature and then spread in an even layer over chocolate mousse. Refrigerate until set, about 30-40 minutes. Serve tart with whipped cream.
*Note For blind baking, line a pastry-lined tart tin with baking paper, then fill with weights (ceramic, rice and dried beans work best).
This dessert does look incredibly elegant and it is a little bit of chocolate heaven. Crisp pastry and then that wonderful layer of caramel, set and almost a little fudge like. Then rich yet light chocolate mousse and who doesn't like a little ganache. Adding a little of Whittaker's Dark Ghana, 72% cocoa, to the mix makes it unbelievably rich and delivers that wonderful bitter dark chocolate flavour which just adds another dimension.
So if you have a little time give this tart a go, your chocolate loving friends will thank you for it!
This is also my entry for this month's Sweet New Zealand being hosted, this month by Alli, over at Pease Pudding, so if you would like to join in head over there and check it out.
If you like this you might like this; Bailey's Chocolate Truffle Cake
One year ago: An Abundance of Greens
Bon Appetit!
OH MY GOSH these tarts have got everything good in them. I like how, even though the end result is so elegant looking, all the separate components are fairly simple and straightforward to put together. I do love Gourmet Traveller, I never really cook from it but it's fun to read.
ReplyDeleteAnd many thanks for the shoutout! X
Mmm so very decadent indeed! I wonder if I have time to put together something sweet for this round too.
ReplyDeleteChocolate heaven for sure :-) Love gourmet travellers recipes, yum!
ReplyDeleteOMG - I had to undo the top button on my pants just reading this post. I love everything about these tarts - I need to give them a try. Think I would be settling for bought pastry too though :-)
ReplyDeleteSue xo
Decadent indeed, but slurp! Can I ask where did you use the 62% Dark Cacao in the photo? Actually I never used the 62% or 53%, I am a 72% type of person... but that cacao... I like the name :-) I should try it!
ReplyDeleteGreat entry for Sweet NZ
Ciao
A.
Nice recipe and great photos, as always.
ReplyDeleteWhoa, that is one gorgeously indulgent recipe! They look absolutely beautiful, Mairi!
ReplyDeleteI do love chocolate and caramel...what a heavenly tart!
ReplyDeleteOh god this looks good - I may have to attempt it soon!
ReplyDeleteQuick question from an American who is relatively new to the NZ dairy products. What exactly is thickened cream? I don't recall seeing it in the grocery store... Thanks!
It looks very pretty in that outdoor setting. Love the caramel under the mousse.
ReplyDelete@hungryandfrozen Thanks Laura, I am the same with Gourmet Traveller but this one was too irresistible!
ReplyDelete@Bron Thanks Bron, I think we all squeezed in to Sweet NZ at the last minute!
ReplyDelete@Emma Galloway Thanks Emma, definitely chocolate heaven :)
ReplyDelete@Alessandra Hi Alessandra, used the dark cacao for the mousse & a mixture of dark cacao & dark ghana for the ganache...it's my favourite, can't quite resist it.
ReplyDelete@Denise Thanks Denise!
ReplyDelete@timeforalittlesomething.com Thanks :) We all need a little indulgence...everything in moderation, right ;)
ReplyDelete@Hannah Thanks Hannah, the caramel certainly makes it special :)
ReplyDelete@Christina Thanks Christina, I did used thickened cream this time round, just the Anchor brand in a little tub from the supermarket, but I have also just used the regular cream & it worked out fine :) I just whipped it up myself! Look forward to meeting you at our conference next month!
ReplyDelete@peasepudding Thanks Alli, even as a chocolate lover the caramel bit is my favourite :)
ReplyDeleteHi Mairi, just stopped by again to let you know that link-up for this month's Sweet New Zealand is now open here http://bit.ly/nScpZE
ReplyDeleteHope you'll be sharing another one of your gorgeous sweet treats :-)
Sue xo
Looks fantastic. I shouldn't have read this post-dessert, now I'm craving chocolate and caramel! I wouldn't have any trouble finishing that off. Thanks for sharing xx
ReplyDelete@milliemirepoix Thanks Millie...always room for a little dessert!
ReplyDelete