Chocolate Ganache Tart

A few years back my mom got me this tart pan from Chennai. I have been meaning to use it to bake a tart for almost 2 years, and have been researching for recipes! Which lead to the next issue of finding a good ganache recipe for the tart filling. After a bit of trial and error, I found a good chocolate ganache recipe and used it for hubby’s birthday cake. So here it is my final quest for tart! It makes for a versatile dessert to wow your guests!

Chocolate Ganache Tart:

Ingredients:

For the tart shell:

All purpose flour – 1 ¼ cups

Egg yolk – 1

Ice Cold water – 2 tablespoons

Vanilla Extract – 1 teaspoon

Sugar – 1/3 cup

Salt – ¼ teaspoon

Cold Butter (unsalted) – 8 tablespoons

For the chocolate ganache filling:

Cooking chocolate (chopped) – 360 grams

Heavy Cream – 1 cup

Unsalted Butter – 3 tablespoons

Vanilla Extract – 1 teaspoon

Directions:

To make the tart Shell:

• In a bowl mix together the egg yolk, cold water and vanilla.
• In a big bowl, add the sifted flour, sugar, salt and butter and beat on medium speed with an electric beater, until the mixture resembles a coarse texture.
• Add the egg mixture and beat on low until the dough comes together.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Roll out the dough on a using a rolling pin on a light dusted surface (Use plain flour for dusting).
• Roll out until the dough until the thickness is around 1/8th of an inch, and it should be big enough to cover the tart pan.
• Carefully transfer the dough on to the tart pan. Press it to the sides using your fingers and trim out the excess dough.
• Using a fork, score the base. Then cover the dough with a piece of baking paper, and fill it with rice. And bake the tart in a preheated oven at 200 degrees for 5 minutes.  (I do this step to weigh down the dough and to prevent it from puffing up).
• Remove the baking paper and rice, and continue baking for 15-20 minutes at 180 degrees, until the crust is golden brown.
• Let it cool to room temperature, before adding the ganache filling.

To make the Chocolate Ganache Filling:

• Add the chopped chocolate to a big bowl.
• Heat the cream on the stove, and bring it to a boil.
• Then pour half of the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and let it sit for 30 seconds.
• Using a spatula, very gently mix the cream and chocolate until the chocolate is dissolved.
• Pour in the remaining cream and butter; blend it gently until everything is incorporated.
• Let the ganache cool to room temperature.

To assemble the tart:

• Both the tart and ganache has to cool to room temperature.
• Pour the ganache over the tart. If the ganache has thickened and is no longer pourable, warm it for a few seconds in the microwave.
• Cover the tart with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator, for at least 30 minutes for the ganache to set.
• Take out the Tart a couple of hours before serving a top with fresh raspberries or strawberries along with a dollop of whipped cream.

NOTE:

• I filled the baked tart with chocolate ganache and served it chilled with raspberries and whipped cream.
• I also cut out small circles from the remaining dough and made mini tarts using my muffin pan.
• You can replace the chocolate ganache with a white chocolate filling or a yummy caramel filling.
• Add some chopped toasted nuts for a nice crunchy texture.