For another holiday chocolate dessert, take a look at my Chocolate Truffle Cake. Everyone has their special childhood memories of Christmas. For some it’s all about presents, for others the memories are firmly attached to Christmas pudding. But for me Christmas time is synonymous with a good quality assorted chocolate box. That is why I created this chocolate tart. It’s inspired by one of my favourite treats. A mix of chocolate and hazelnut with just a whisper of orange.
What goes into Chocolate Tart?
This chocolate orange hazelnut tart is not for the faint-hearted. It’s rich and dreamy. Chocolate and hazelnut pastry holds a creamy chocolate filling with hazelnut spread and generous lashings of orange liqueur. It is then decorated with chocolate hazelnut cream rosettes. I lack the words to describe this beauty. You will have to make it and see for yourself!
How do you make Chocolate Tart Crust?
The recipe I am using for this tart is very easy to make. Simply combine flour, ground hazelnuts or ground almonds, cocoa and brown sugar in a large bowl, then cut cold butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse oatmeal. If you are looking to make the pastry making task even easier, mix all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until mixed. Done. I highly recommend baking this tart crust in a tart pan with removable bottom. It’s also quite important to blind bake this pastry, which will prevent it from puffing up.
What ingredients are in the chocolate filling?
The base of the filling is chocolate ganache with mascarpone, nutella and flavourings added to it. You will need double/whipping cream and good quality chocolate. I recommend using the chocolate you would actually eat rather than baking chocolate. The taste of your entire tart will depend on the quality of ingredients used.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes, in fact I recommend making this chocolate hazelnut tart one or even two days ahead for the filling to set. They should be stored in a refrigerator and taken out at least 30 minutes before serving for the ingredients to come to room temperature for best flavour. One of the best things about tarts is that they don’t have to be eaten on the day they are made unlike cakes that are best eaten as fresh as possible.
How long will the tart keep?
It will keep up to 3-5 day refrigerated. More favourite holiday chocolate sweets:
Chocolate Cake Truffles Chocolate Madeleines Chocolate Almond Rolls
This recipe was originally published in 12/2017. Updated with new text and republished in 12/2019
