ingredients:
8oz butter, room temperature
1 1/4c dark brown sugar
3/4c granulated sugar
2each eggs
1 1/2tsp vanilla extract
3c pastry flour
1tsp baking soda
2tsp kosher salt
24oz 65-75% cocoa content dark chocolate buttons (you can also pick up a Compartes dark bar and cut it up into flat chunks)
I love chocolate...as you all probably know by now. As much as I try to make other goodies at home, my first choice is always something with chocolate. I came across this delicious recipe for a simple and decadent chocolate tart and it has instantly become one of my favorites, a classic if you will, for me to make at home and serve at a dinner party or gathering at my place. With a hint of caramel and a boost from coffee to enhance the dark chocolatey flavor, this tart balances just the right amount of decadence and deliciousness. Try a recipe like this for Mother's Day or any time of the year and its guaranteed to become a classic at your house too! ;)
Jonathan's Favorite Chocolate Tart Recipe
Eight servings
1 1/4 cup (250 g) sugar
6 tablespoons (90 ml) warm coffee (preferably a dark roast like espresso)
4 ounces (115 g) unsalted high-quality butter, cubed, at room temperature
A hefty pinch of sea salt
6.5 ounces (185 g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 large eggs
1/4 cup (35 g) flour
1 tablespoon dark rum or 1 teaspoon really good vanilla extract
One 9- or 10-inch (23 cm – 25 cm) prebaked tart shell
1. Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC.)
2. Spread the sugar in an even layer in the bottom of a large, heavy-duty saucepan or Dutch oven. Cook the sugar over moderate heat until the edges liquefy and being to caramelize. Use a heatproof utensil to gently drag the liquefied sugar toward the center of the pan, encouraging the sugar to melt evenly.
3. Once the sugar is melted, it was caramelize rather quickly. When it starts to sightly smoke, but before it burns, turn off the heat and stir in the coffee. (The mixture will bubble and seize a bit. Be sure to avert your face and you may wish to wear oven mitts.)
4. If the caramel has seized up in places, stir it gently over low heat until smooth. Then add the butter and salt, and stir until melted, then stir in both chocolates until smooth*.
5. Mix in the eggs, then the flour. Stir in the rum or vanilla extract. (For a more boozy tart, sub in a bit more rum and less coffee, the amount of tablespoons here is a bit interchangeable)
6. Pour the mixture into the pre-baked tart shell, then bake for 15 to 20 minutes, just until the filling starts to rise and crack at the edges but the center is still jiggly. Do not overbake at all.
Remove from oven and let cool completely before slicing.
Storage: Tart will keep for up to three days at room temperature, well-wrapped.
Troubleshooting: If any bits of caramel remain after adding the butter, simply stir the mixture over very low heat until they’re all completely dissolved. If any stubborn little bits remain, you can strain the buttery caramel through a mesh sieve, before adding the chocolate.
*If the mixture is too hot to add the eggs right after the chocolate, you may let the mixture cool down a bit before adding the eggs.
Master Chocolatier Tips for a Chocolate Tasting by oprah.com contributor Jonathan Grahm
There's no better way to enjoy chocolate than by hosting a chocolate tasting for you and some of your favorite friends. Here are my four tips for choosing chocolates for a tasting party.
INGREDIENTS
Brownies
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter (use salted for added flavor)
7 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped (see our recommendation)
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
3/4 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup roasted salted peanuts, coarsely chopped
Frosting & Ganache
3/4 cup Compartes Peanut Butter
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, divided, room temperature
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
7 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped (see our recommendation)
PREPARATION
Brownies
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 325°F. Line 13x9x2-inch metal baking pan with foil, leaving long overhang; butter foil.
Place 3/4 cup butter in heavy large saucepan. Add both chocolates; stir over low heat until smooth. Remove from heat. Whisk in sugar, vanilla, and salt, then eggs, 1 at a time. Fold in flour, then nuts. Spread in prepared pan. Bake until tester inserted into center comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 30 minutes. Place pan on rack; cool.
Frosting & Ganache
Using electric mixer, beat peanut butter and 1/4 cup butter in medium bowl to blend. Beat in powdered sugar and salt, then milk and vanilla. Spread frosting over brownies.
Stir chocolate and 1/4 cup butter in heavy small saucepan over low heat until smooth. Drop ganache all over frosting; spread to cover. Chill until set, about 1 1/2 hours. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and keep chilled.
Using foil as aid, transfer brownie cake to work surface; cut into squares. Bring to room temperature; serve.
Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit
Chelsea Lately late night comedy talk show host Chelsea Handler chooses Compartes Chocolatier to be the provider of her corporate and private gifts! Adorning our handcrafted truffles with her logo she now shoots us a frequent call to send out boxes of 20 and 40 piece customized truffles as thank you's to her guests! Guests include Gwyneth Paltrow, Taylor Momsen, Mary McCormack, Kris Jenner, Nicki Minaj, Julie Benz, Kathy Griffin, Kate Bosworth, Jennifer Aniston, 50 Cent and many more! She also often selects our Wooden Treasure Trays which we fill up with our delicious chocolate dipped fruit, nuts and traditional's with some customized truffles as the centerpiece!
When it comes to corporate gifts, nothing goes down quite like organic handmade chocolates! Our chocolates are the perfect inclusion in favor baskets or on their own! Chelsea Handler chooses to mix up her custom chocolate logo with some of our beautiful seasonal patterns which comes out to be a gorgeous gift box of 20 or 40 chocolates that is unique, special and colorful!
Contact us for any information and questions on customizing and gift-giving!
