This tart is made for occasions that call for an elegant chocolate dessert. The crackly caramel topping encloses a smooth milk chocolate filling that beautifully complements the nuts in the pastry.
- Portion size 12 servings
Ingredients
Filling:
Topping:
Method
Spread hazelnuts in single layer on rimmed baking sheet; toast in 350°F (180°C) oven until fragrant and skins crack, about 10 minutes. Let cool slightly. Transfer to towel; rub briskly to remove as much of the skins as possible. In food processor, finely grind hazelnuts with 2 tbsp (25 mL) of the flour; set aside.
In bowl, beat butter until light, about 2 minutes. Beat in sugar until fluffy; beat in egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. In separate bowl, whisk together hazelnut mixture, remaining flour and salt; using wooden spoon, stir into butter mixture until dough holds together, adding up to 2 tbsp (25 mL) water if dough doesn't hold together.
Transfer to work surface; knead 2 or 3 times until dough forms ball. Press into disc; wrap in plastic wrap and fefrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate for up to 1 day. Let stand at room temperature for 45 minutes.)
Press dough into bottom and up side of greased 11-inch (28 cm) tart pan with removable bottom. Freeze until firm, about 10 minutes.
Line with foil; fill evenly with pie weights or dried beans. Bake in bottom third of 400°F (200°C) oven for 20 minutes. Remove weights and foil; bake until golden, about 10 minutes. Let cool in pan on rack.
Filling: Meanwhile, in saucepan, heat milk until bubbles form around edge. Remove from heat. Whisk in milk chocolate and bittersweet chocolate until smooth. In bowl, whisk together eggs, egg yolks, sugar and vanilla. Gradually whisk in chocolate mixture. Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes. Pour through fine sieve into pastry shell.
Bake in centre of 325°F (160°C) oven just until bubbles rise to surface and knife inserted in centre comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let cool in pan on rack. Refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours. (Make-ahead: Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.)
Topping: Just before serving, sprinkle sugar evenly over top. Shield crust with strips of foil; with propane torch or under broiler, melt and caramelize sugar. Let stand at room temperature until sugar is hardened, about 10 minutes. Whip cream. Pipe rosettes or spoon along edge. Garnish with gold flakes.
Nutritional facts <b>Per serving:</b>about
- Sodium 55 mg
- Protein 9 g
- Calories 505.0
- Total fat 32 g
- Cholesterol 171 mg
- Saturated fat 14 g
- Total carbohydrate 51 g
%RDI
- Iron 14.0
- Folate 20.0
- Calcium 12.0
- Vitamin A 19.0
