I'm gonna start this post off by apologising. I've been sitting on this recipe for far longer than is fair. You need this recipe in your life. It's a Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart, which is topped with a Peanut Butter Whipped Cream. Sounds like a mouthful? Wait until you have the actual thing in your mouth.
I made this a month or so ago to take to a friend's house. I always get excited when we go places for dinner, not because we have no friends (maybe that too? It's the little things, lol), but because it gives me an excuse to make something super elaborate and actually have people there to eat it! As per usual I was put on dessert duty, and i've been wanting to try a chocolate peanut butter tart for a long time, so here we are.
This was insanely easy to make, everyone went back for thirds, and it was just as amazing the next day. A chocolate tart like this is a great wee recipe to have up your sleeve - it is super easy to prepare in advance, and always, always a crowd pleaser. You could leave out the peanut butter and hit it with a big dollop of whipped cream, or just leave it as is, and sprinkle a little salt over the top to have a plain chocolate tart. The possibilities are endless. You should make it. It's crazy easy, but you're going to look super fancy. Promise.
A few wee tips:
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The crust for this is a graham cracker crust, made into a 'chocolate' crust by adding some cocoa. I have a brown butter graham cracker situation here too if that's more your jam.
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This can absolutely be made ahead by at least a day - but add the peanut butter whipped cream on the day that you serve.
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Good quality chocolate really makes a difference here. I usually go for something about 70% cocoa solids, but if you wanted a slightly more mellow chocolate taste, milk chocolate would work great too.
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Good quality peanut butter also makes this taste extra yum - go for something that is just peanuts and salt. I used Pic's in this - a brand from my hometown in NZ! You can get it on Amazon too.
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If you're in a place where Graham Crackers aren't easy to find, digestive biscuits work great.
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I used an ateco #866 tip on the top of this. French star tips are my secret weapon - I have a bunch of them and highly recommend!
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart with Peanut Butter Whipped Cream
- Makes one 9" tart, serves 10-12 people -
Peanut Butter Whipped Cream from "The Fearless Baker"
Chocolate Graham Cracker Crust
2 sleeves (290g) graham crackers or similar biscuit
1/4 cup (35 grams) cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
3 Tbsp Sugar
1/2 tsp salt
135g unsalted butter, melted
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Filling
550g good quality dark chocolate
180g smooth peanut butter
40g unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 tsp salt
380g heavy cream
Peanut Butter Whipped Cream
135g (1/2 cup) smooth peanut butter
25g (2 Tbsp) Granulated Sugar
121g (1/2 cup) heavy cream
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- PROCESS -
CHOCOLATE GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST
Preheat the oven to 350˚f / 180˚c. Place all the ingredients except for the butter in the work bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the graham crackers resemble crumbs and the mixture is well combined. Transfer to a bowl and stir through the melted butter.
Evenly press the crust into a 9" tart pan with a removable bottom. Use a glass or measuring cup to help you press it against the sides of the pan. Place the pan onto a baking sheet. Bake for 10-11 minutes, then allow to cool completely.
DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER FILLING
Place the chocolate, peanut butter, butter and salt into a large heatproof bowl. Place the cream in a small saucepan, and warm over low heat until just shy of a simmer - you should see movement around the edges of the cream. Immediately pour the cream over the chocolate and butter, and cover the bowl with a lid or plate. Leave to sit for 5-6 minutes, then whisk vigorously to combine. The mixture will look like it has split to begin with but keep whisking - it will come together and go glossy.
Pour the chocolate filling into the cooled crust. Place in the fridge for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the filling has set completely.
PEANUT BUTTER WHIPPED CREAM
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the peanut butter and sugar on medium - high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cream and continue whipping until the mixture reaches medium peaks. Watch carefully to ensure you do not split the cream. Scrape down the bowl if necessary. Add the vanilla and mix to combine.
Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a french star tip. Pipe blobs of peanut butter cream over the surface of the tart.
Refrigerate until ready to serve. Cut with a slightly warmed knife. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
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