Chocolate Nutcracker Tart Recipes

Steps:

• Make crust:
• Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
• Stir together all ingredients and press evenly onto bottom and 3/4 inch up side of tart pan. Bake until firm, about 10 minutes. Cool on a rack 15 to 20 minutes
• Make filling:
• Bring cream to a boil, then pour over chocolate in a bowl and let stand 5 minutes. Gently stir until smooth. Whisk together eggs, vanilla, and salt in another bowl, then stir into melted chocolate.
• Pour filling into cooled crust. Bake until filling is set about 3 inches from edge but center is still wobbly, 20 to 25 minutes. (Center will continue to set as tart cools.) Cool completely in pan on rack, about 1 hour.
• Make glaze:
• Bring cream to a boil and remove from heat. Stir in chocolate until smooth. Stir in corn syrup, then warm water
• Pour glaze onto tart, then tilt and rotate tart so glaze coats top evenly. Let stand until glaze is set, about 1 hour.

Steps:

• For the crust: Add the cookies to a food processor and pulse to fine crumbs. Pour in the melted butter and pulse together. Tip into an 11-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom and press the mixture in with a 1/4-cup measure to form an even crust on the bottom and sides. Put it in the freezer for 15 minutes to set.
• For the ganache: Put the cream and butter in a pan and heat until the mixture starts to bubble.
• Put the dark and milk chocolate in a bowl and pour the warmed cream and butter over it. Mix everything together until melted and fully combined, then pour it into the chilled tart base. Refrigerate the tart overnight until set.
• For the chocolate curl garnish: Put the white chocolate and coconut oil in a bowl and set over a pan of simmering water until the chocolate is melted; mix together. Pour the melted mixture onto the underside of a clean baking sheet and spread it in a very thin layer with an offset spatula or knife. Put it in the freezer until set, about 2 minutes. (To check if it is set, press it with your fingertip; it should leave the slightest mark but not a depression.)
• Using a sharp-edged spatula, scrape the chocolate from the bottom of the baking sheet into curls. Remove the tart from the pan and decorate with the curls.

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine wafer crumbs and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of a lightly greased 11-in. fluted tart pan with removable bottom. , Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° until lightly browned, 8-10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack., In a microwave, melt butter and chocolate; stir until smooth. Cool for 10 minutes. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt until thickened, about 4 minutes. Blend in chocolate mixture. Stir in flour and mix well. , Pour into crust; spread evenly. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Spread pie filling over the top. , In a microwave, melt chocolate and cream; stir until smooth. Cool for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drizzle over tart. Chill until set.

Steps:

• To make the pastry: combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and mix with a pastry blender or hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the middle of the pastry. Combine the egg yolk with the ice water in a small bowl, whisking to blend; pour it into the well and work it in to bind the dough until it holds together without being too wet or sticky. Squeeze a small amount together, if it is crumbly, add more ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Form the dough into a disk and wrap in plastic; refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch circle, about 1/4-inch thick. Carefully roll the dough up onto the pin (this may take a little practice) and lay it inside a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough into the pan so it fits tightly; press the edges into the sides of the pan. It is important to press the dough evenly into every nook and corner of the ring, especially the scalloped edges. Shave off the excess hanging dough with a knife. Put the tart in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to relax.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the tart pan on a sturdy cookie sheet so it will be easy to move in and out of the oven. Line the tart with aluminum foil and add pie weights or dried beans to keep the sides of the tart from buckling. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and weights. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the crust with a beaten egg white. Return to the oven and continue to bake for another 8 minutes until the tart is golden in color, but not brown. Remember the tart will be cooked again with the filling. It should be cooked but light in color so that it will not burn on the second bake. Set aside to cool and lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.
• To make the filling: Heat the heavy cream and milk in a pot over medium-low flame, until it simmers slightly around the edges. Remove from the heat; add the chopped chocolate and stir until melted and smoothed out. Add the sugar and salt and whisk until well incorporated. Beat the eggs in a small bowl until blended and add them to the chocolate mixture, stir until completely blended. Pour the filling into the cooled tart shell and bake at 325 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes until the filling is set and the surface is glossy. If you see any bubbles or cracks forming on the surface, take the tart out right away - that means it is beginning to become over baked. Cool before cutting.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 9x1-inch tart pan with removable bottom with shortening. Wrap outside bottom and side of pan with foil to prevent leaking. In 1-quart saucepan, heat bittersweet chocolate and 1/3 cup butter over low heat, stirring frequently, until melted; cool slightly.
• In large bowl, mix granulated sugar, flour and eggs with spoon until well blended. Stir in chocolate mixture. Pour into pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until edges are set. Cool completely on wire rack, about 1 hour.
• In 1-quart saucepan, heat unsweetened chocolate and 1 teaspoon butter over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted. Remove from heat. Stir in powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons water until smooth. Stir in additional boiling water, 1/2 teaspoon at a time, until spreadable. Spread warm glaze over tart.
• In small microwavable bowl, microwave white chocolate and oil on Medium (50%) 20 to 30 seconds; stir. Drizzle over warm glaze. Let stand until glaze is set. Remove foil and side of pan before serving.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. In medium bowl, mix crust ingredients until soft dough forms. Press firmly and evenly against bottom and side of ungreased 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom.
• Bake 10 to 13 minutes or until light golden brown; cool on cooling rack. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
• In 2-quart saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over low heat. Stir in condensed milk and chocolate chips. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted. Stir in vanilla and salt; stir in walnuts. Spread in baked crust.
• Bake about 20 minutes or just until edge is set. Cool in pan on cooling rack, about 1 hour to serve warm, or serve at room temperature. To serve, spoon whipped cream onto center of tart and top with chocolate curls or, top each slice with whipped cream and chocolate curls.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom with shortening or cooking spray. In medium bowl, beat 1/3 cup butter and the powdered sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until blended. Beat in 1/2 cup flour and the cocoa until coarse crumbs form. With floured fingers, press in bottom of tart pan.
• Bake 5 to 7 minutes or until set. Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat 1/4 cup butter and 4 oz chocolate over low heat 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth. Set aside to cool.
• In large bowl, beat granulated sugar and eggs with electric mixer on high speed 3 to 4 minutes, scraping bowl frequently, or until foamy and light in color. Add sour cream, 2 tablespoons flour and the chocolate mixture; continue beating 1 to 2 minutes, scraping bowl frequently, until well blended. Spread filling over crust.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until firm to the touch. Cool 15 minutes. Remove side of pan. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In 1-quart saucepan, heat 2 ounces chocolate, 1 tablespoon butter and the honey over low heat 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth. Spread chocolate mixture over tart. Lightly press fruit around outer edge of tart. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Let stand at room temperature about 20 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• For crust:
• Mix flour, sugar and salt in processor. Add shortening and butter. Using on/off turns, process until mixture resembles coarse meal. Transfer flour mixture to large bowl. Combine 3 tablespoons ice water and vinegar in small bowl; pour over flour mixture. Stir with fork until moist clumps form, adding more water by teaspoonfuls as needed. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap disk in plastic and chill at least 20 minutes and up to 3 days.
• Roll out dough disk on lightly floured surface to 13-inch round. Transfer to 11-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Press dough into tart pan. Trim dough overhang and reserve. Freeze crust 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Bake crust until golden, about 17 minutes; if crust bubbles, press with back of fork. Cool on rack. Reduce oven temperature to 400°F.
• Meanwhile, prepare filling:
• Mix 1 1/2 cups cream, both sugars and honey in heavy large saucepan. Bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until mixture bubbles thickly and darkens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in grated orange peel. Let stand 20 minutes. Stir in walnuts, pecans, cashews and almonds. Spoon filling into crust, distributing nuts evenly. Bake tart until filling is bubbling thickly and is deep amber in color, about 22 minutes. Cool completely on rack. Serve with whipped cream and Orange-Cranberry Compote, if desired.

Steps:

• Make the crust: In a food processor, combine the flour, powdered sugar, and salt and pulse to incorporate. Add the butter, a few cubes at a time, and pulse until broken down to pea-sized pieces.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, vanilla, and water. Slowly drizzle the egg yolk mixture into the food processor and pulse until the dough starts to come together but is not yet fully incorporated, 2-3 minutes.
• Turn the dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap, wrap tightly, and shape into a 1-inch-thick disc. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to 2 days.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly for easy rolling.
• Place the dough disc between 2 sheets of parchment paper. Use a rolling pin to roll out to an 11-inch circle about ⅛ inch thick, starting from the center and rolling away from you and rotating the dough 90° every few rolls to ensure even thickness. If the edges of the dough crack, use the rolling pin to bring them back together. If the dough softens too much, refrigerate for a few minutes to re-solidify.
• Carefully roll the dough onto the rolling pin, then unroll over a 9-inch tart pan and gently press against the bottom and sides. Roll the rolling pin over the pan to trim the edges of the crust flush with the pan. Patch any holes around the edges with the excess dough. Use a fork to prick holes all over the crust. Freeze for about 20 minutes, until the dough is firm.
• Arrange an oven rack in the center position. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
• Crumple a sheet of parchment paper in your hands, then unwrap and press flush against the crust, covering the edges to prevent them from burning. Fill the center of the crust with pie weights and spread in an even layer to cover the entire surface.
• Bake the crust for 15 minutes, until partially baked and the parchment no longer sticks to the dough. Carefully remove the parchment and pie weights. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (180°C) and continue baking for another 15 minutes, until the bottom of the crust is starting to brown. Carefully transfer the tart pan to a wire rack and let cool for 30 minutes.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F (150°C).
• Make the filling: Chop the chocolate.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream and salt. Warm over medium-low heat until simmering gently around the edges of the pot, about 5 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, add the chopped chocolate, and stir to combine. Cover for 5 minutes, then uncover and whisk until chocolate is melted and smooth.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and vanilla. Slowly pour a bit of the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly, to temper, then pour in the remaining chocolate mixture and whisk to combine.
• Strain the filling through a fine-mesh sieve into a spouted measuring cup, then pour into the cooled tart shell and spread evenly with an offset spatula.
• Bake the tart for 25-30 minutes, until the filling is set and the surface is glossy.
• Carefully remove the tart from the oven and transfer to the wire rack to cool for at least 45 minutes.
• Make the mirror glaze: In a small bowl, soak the gelatin sheets in the ice water to bloom, about 5 minutes.
• In a small pot, combine the sugar and room temperature water and bring to a boil over medium-low heat. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the pot from the heat and sift in the cocoa powder. Stir to combine.
• In another small pot, heat the cream over medium-low heat until starting to simmer. Slowly pour the hot cream into the cocoa mixture and gently whisk to combine. Be careful not to incorporate any air.
• Once the gelatin has softened, lift the sheets from the cold water and wring out any excess water. Add the gelatin sheets to the cocoa and cream mixture and stir until fully dissolved.
• Let the glaze cool until the temperature reaches between 90-110°F (32-43°C), or warm to the touch but no longer hot.
• Strain the glaze through a fine-mesh sieve into a spouted measuring cup. Pour the glaze over the tart, using an offset spatula to cover evenly. Refrigerate the tart for about 1 hour to allow the mirror glaze to set.
• Generously sprinkle flaky sea salt over the tart, then slice and serve with a dollop of whipped cream.
• Enjoy!
• RECIPE BY: Mimo Ahmed