Chocolate Orange Christmas Tart
- Cook Time: 45 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups chocolate cookie crumbs (or crushed bourbon biscuits)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 10 oz high-quality dark chocolate (60-70% cocoa), finely chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon orange zest, finely grated
- 1 teaspoon pure orange extract
- Pinch of sea salt
- Candied orange slices for garnish
- Optional: Fresh sprigs of rosemary or gold leaf for decoration
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the chocolate cookie crumbs and the melted butter. Stir until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Use the back of a spoon to ensure the crust is even and compact.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the crust for 8 to 10 minutes to set it. Remove it from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before adding the filling. This prevents the crust from becoming soggy.
- Place the heavy cream and the grated orange zest in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring the cream to a gentle simmer, but do not let it reach a full rolling boil. As soon as you see bubbles forming around the edges, remove the pan from the heat.
- Place the chopped dark chocolate in a heat-proof glass bowl. Pour the hot cream through a fine-mesh sieve over the chocolate to remove the zest pieces. Let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes. Gently whisk the mixture starting from the center until it becomes smooth and glossy.
- Stir in the orange extract and a pinch of sea salt. Pour the chocolate ganache into the cooled tart shell. Smooth the top with a spatula if necessary. Gently tap the tart pan on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles.
- Place the tart in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This allows the ganache to firm up properly for clean slicing. Once set, decorate with candied orange slices or your choice of festive garnishes before serving.