Chocolate Ganache Tart

Name: Chocolate Ganache Tart
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 3 h 45 min
Yield: 1 (9-inch) tart
Ingredients: 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), melted; 3 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1 vanilla bean, halved, seeds scraped, bean reserved; 1/4 teaspoon fine salt; 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped; 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick), cut into small pieces; 1 cup heavy cream; 3 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1/4 teaspoon fine salt; 2 (10-ounce) bags frozen cherries (about 4 cups); 1/2 cup vodka; 6 tablespoons granulated sugar

Christmas Thanksgiving Valentine's Day French Dessert Dinner Party Vodka Chocolate Fall Tarts Easy Medium

Save (676)

Rate

1 (9-inch) tart Easy

Total: 2 hrs 15 mins, plus cooling time Active: 15 mins

21 Ratings

Ingredients (16)

For the crust:

8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 vanilla bean, halved, seeds scraped, bean reserved
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

For the filling:

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick), cut into small pieces
1 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon fine salt

For the cherry-vodka sauce:

2 (10-ounce) bags frozen cherries (about 4 cups)
1/2 cup vodka
6 tablespoons granulated sugar

Try Amazon Fresh

Get fresh food news delivered to your inbox

Here’s a recipe for a tart that’s both stylish and simple. The rich bittersweet chocolate filling requires no baking—simply melt bittersweet and semisweet chocolates together with butter, cream, and sugar, and pour the results into a crisp pastry shell. After a few hours in the refrigerator, you’re ready to slice the most luscious, intensely chocolate tart you’ll ever have the pleasure of serving guests. While you’re waiting for the filling to solidify, make the cherry-vodka sauce. Its tart-sweet flavor is a perfect complement to the tart’s dark, trufflelike interior.

Make-ahead notes: Make this tart up to 2 days ahead and store, tightly covered, in the fridge. Let it sit out at room temperature about 1 hour before you’re ready to serve. The cherry-vodka sauce can be made up to 4 days ahead. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use.

This recipe was featured in our Chocolate Desserts photo gallery.

For more chocolaty inspiration, check out our Chocolate Mousse Pie, Nutella Chocolate Cheesecake, and Espresso Mud Pie.

by Amy Wisniewski

Tips for Christmas

Tip

Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25?

There are several reasons Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25. The date is nine months after March 25, a day recognized by Christians as Annunciation. It was the day Mary was told she would was having a baby. The nine months that follow are an approximation of Jesus’ birth. Dec. 25 also coincides with pagan Winter Solstice celebrations like Saturnalia' and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Since they were historically celebrated around that time of year there was precedent for holiday festivities during this time of year.

1 of 3

Next: What Does the Name 'Christmas' Mean and What Is the Meaning of Christmas?

Tip

What Does the Name 'Christmas' Mean and What Is the Meaning of Christmas?

Christmas is a shortened from the words “Christ’s mass.” It’s derived from the Middle English word "Cristemasse" which has Greek, Hebrew and Latin origins. Christmas is an annual holiday that honors the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by Christians around the world and is regarded as an important religious and cultural holiday.

2 of 3

Next: How Can We Celebrate Christmas?

Tip

How Can We Celebrate Christmas?

Christmas is traditionally celebrated in many ways and celebrations vary across cultures. In the days leading up to Christmas, people usually put up special decorations including colorful lights and evergreen trees. Gifts are often placed under the tree and exchanged on Christmas day among loved ones. Large meals are also typically served as part of the celebration as well.

3 of 3

Next: Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25?

Instructions

To make the crust:

1Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Combine butter, sugar, vanilla seeds, and salt in a large bowl and stir until evenly incorporated. Add flour and stir until just combined and a soft dough forms.
2Sprinkle dough over the bottom of a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Using a measuring cup or your fingers, evenly press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the pan (flour the cup occasionally to prevent sticking).
3Cover the tart shell with plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Once chilled, prick it all over with a fork and bake until golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes.
4Remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.

To make the filling:

1Place chocolate and butter in a medium bowl; set aside.
2Combine cream, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves and liquid is just at a simmer, about 4 minutes.
3Pour cream mixture over chocolate and butter and let sit until melted, about 4 minutes. Gently stir until smooth.
4Pour ganache into the cooled tart shell and transfer to the refrigerator. Chill until set, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

To make the cherry-vodka sauce:

1Place cherries, vodka, sugar, and reserved vanilla bean from the crust in a small saucepan over medium-high heat and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until cherries start to break down and syrup has thickened, about 50 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Serve with slices of tart.

Load Comments

Recommended from Chowhound

How to Make America’s Most Expensive Beef Sandwich at Home

(11:05)

Video from CHOW-TO

Breaded, deep-fried meat doesn’t need much more other than seasoning. Add to that, using one of the most expensive cuts of meat in the world. Wrap some crustless white bread around it, and you’ve got yourself a perfect snack known as Katsu Sando. A popular Japanese convenience store staple that has become an Instagram darling, and the new avocado toast at restaurants around the country. To learn more about the sandwich, Wagyu beef, and how to make this treat at home (don't worry, you can use any protein, this is not reserved for the super rich) Guillermo visits chef Corwin Kave at Don Wagyu in NYC, to learn all the secrets behind America’s most expensive beef sandwich.