Tuesday, April 28, 2009

TWD: Chocolate Cream Tart

Ok, truth be told, I wasn't very excited about making this recipe. I wasn't in the mood to make a crust. It's birthday central around here, and I have cakes coming out the wazoo. Really. But I skipped the previous week, so I'll make a tart.
This is a chocolate cream layered in a chocolate crust with whipped cream on top. What could be bad?

The crust was easy to make in the food processor. I decided to make the full amount of crust because I knew the extra would freeze easily. I found these adorable mini tart pans, so I joined many of the TWD bakers and made mine mini. And then I found my even mini-er pans and made some individual tarts. I took Dorie's advice and froze three of the mini tart pans full of uncooked dough. Now, when I have a chocolate crust emergency, I have some in the freezer. The crust baked up easily. Upon tasting one of the baked crusts, however, I was a little nervous. It was a bitter chocolate taste. I hoped that the chocolate cream and whipped cream would offset it.

I only made a 1/4 of the cream. Luckily, it was easy to reduce the recipe. I simplified the recipe (by mistake) and had some good results. I boiled the milk in the microwave. Worked great! I added the hot milk to the sugar, corn starch, and egg yolk and brought it to a boil. I added the un-melted chocolate to the pan (whoops!) and it worked out just fine. Into a bowl and into the fridge. Done.
I copped out on making whipped cream. I just didn't have enough stuff to cover. I opted for that faux standby -- Cool Whip.

So, it's time to assemble. I layer in the chocoate cream to the mini tart pan. Good. I spoon it into the individuals. Ooops! Should have taken those out of the pans first. Ah well. I'll remove the mini ring from the pan before I finish. I take off the outer ring. Good. I, for some unknown reason, decided to remove the metal plate from the bottom of the tart.

And then I got this.

Dang! About 1/4 of it fell into the sink. Dang!


So the rest gets covered with Cool Whip.


And the mini minis get covered as well.

The verdict -- these are really good. Really good. The slight bitterness of the crust is offset by the sweetness of the cream. The crust was incredibly crumbly. It wasn't bad, but I would have liked the structure to have been a little more stable. It was really easy to make the cream, and I do have three crusts in the freezer. I could see myself making this again. Or I could just bake off the crusts and fill them with ice cream. Could go either way.

Thank you Kim of Scrumptious Photography for picking this yummy recipe. Go check out her blog to see the recipe and to drool. Her photos really are fabulous.
I'm skipping next week. It's a Tiramisu cake. I'm sure it's amazing. But as I said above, I have cake coming out the wazoo. I have baked (or still have to bake) a total of six birthday cakes all in the last two weeks. All for two kids. That's my next post.

17 comments:

Cristine said...

Wow! Sounds like you're one busy lady! My daughter turns 4 next week and has requested 4 cakes... I'm unsure about the tiramisu cake, too!

Your tart looks yummy and what a great idea to have the crust on standby in the freezer!

Marthe said...

Yeah, I wasn't in the moodd either, but this one was so easily thrown together. I'm really looking forward to next weeks recipe as I am a tiramisu-lover!

Jessica said...

6 cakes ... wow, I'm super impressed that you made these tarts. They look great and I'm glad that they were worth the effort!

Megan said...

Birthday central - I love that line.

I totally felt your pain for the broken crust - I can't tell you how many times that has happened to me. Except that mine usually falls on the floor!

Lillian said...

I love those little minis -- just adorable!

Flourchild said...

Your tart looks great despite the little mishap..great way to cover it up though! I love to bake but some days your just so busy it seems like a chore.

Kayte said...

I love how you just rolled with the day...have three quarters of a tart? No matter...top it all off and surround it with little bites of goodness...you are such a great baker! I would have melted in horror, but you are such fun!

It all looks wonderful!

chocolatechic said...

So cute.

I love your little micro-mini's.

Cathy said...

The crust really was crumbly. Glad you liked this - it looks great! I am now on a hunt for mini mini tart pans.

Pamela said...

Okay, I have been thinking the exact same thing about the crust!! It would be PERFECT with some ice cream. Great minds...
Nice job!

Michele said...

I love your mini-tarts! I need to buy some smaller tart pans.

TeaLady said...

I had the same problem with the crust. Broke up a little. But the taste more than made up for it. Yours looks great with the piles of whipped cream

Unknown said...

Wow, good luck with all the cakes you're baking! Sounds like you'll be busy. Your tart looks great! Glad you baked this week!

Shari said...

That's a lot of birthday going on! I can relate! Take it easy on yourself!! Your tart looks great and you made a super recovery from a challenge like we've all experienced at one time or another. Nice job!

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