Ina Garten’s Dreamy Chocolate Pudding Cream Tart Recipe

Ina Garten’s chocolate pudding cream tart represents pure dessert magic that melts hearts faster than butter on warm toast.

Rich chocolate whispers pure decadence through every silky layer of this culinary masterpiece.

Professional home cooks adore how effortlessly sophisticated ingredients transform into something extraordinary.

The dessert balances delicate sweetness with intense chocolate depth, creating a complex sensory experience.

Smooth textures and luxurious flavors dance together in perfect harmony, promising an unforgettable finale to any meal.

Each carefully crafted bite tells a story of culinary passion and precision.

Why This Chocolate Tart Deserves Dessert Center Stage

• Indulge in Decadent Layers: This tart combines a crisp graham cracker crust with a luxuriously smooth chocolate pudding filling that melts in your mouth, creating a symphony of rich textures and deep chocolate flavors.
• Master a Foolproof Technique: The recipe walks you through simple yet precise steps, making it approachable for home bakers of all skill levels. From carefully heating milk to creating a silky chocolate mixture, each stage builds confidence in your culinary skills.
• Elevate Your Dessert Game: Perfect for sophisticated dinner parties or special celebrations, this tart transforms basic ingredients into an impressive showstopper that looks like it came straight from a professional bakery. The addition of Kahlúa and instant coffee deepens the chocolate's complexity, making it far from an ordinary dessert.
• Prepare Ahead with Ease: With minimal active cooking time and the ability to refrigerate for up to 6 hours, this tart allows stress-free entertaining. Make it the day before your event, ensuring you have a stunning dessert ready to impress without last-minute kitchen chaos.

All the Decadent Layers Begin with These Ingredients

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Classic base with a sweet, crunchy texture that complements the chocolate filling.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps bind the crust together.
• Unsalted Butter: Melted butter acts as a binding agent for the graham cracker crust.

• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps stabilize the pudding mixture.
• Egg Yolks: Create a rich, creamy texture and help thicken the filling.
• Cornstarch: Essential for creating a smooth, thick pudding consistency.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
• Whole Milk: Creates the creamy base for the pudding filling.

• Chocolate, Dark or Semisweet: Rich chocolate provides deep, intense flavor for the pudding.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and creates a silky smooth texture.
• Kahlúa: Coffee liqueur brings depth and complexity to the chocolate filling.
• Instant Coffee Powder: Intensifies the chocolate flavor and adds subtle coffee notes.

• Heavy Cream: Base for creating light, fluffy whipped cream topping.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream.
• Chocolate: Shaved chocolate for an elegant garnish and extra chocolate flavor.

How to Build a Pudding Tart That Shines

Step 1: Prepare the Delectable Crust

• Graham cracker crumbs
• Sugar
• Melted butter

Press the mixture into an 11-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Bake for 10 minutes, then let cool completely.

Step 2: Warm the Dairy Base

Gently heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until it’s steaming but not boiling.

Step 3: Create the Silky Filling Foundation

• Sugar
• Egg yolks
• Cornstarch
• Salt

Slowly stream the warm milk into the mixture while mixing on low speed.

Step 4: Transform the Mixture

Transfer the blend to a large saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon for 5-10 minutes until the mixture thickens dramatically.

Step 5: Infuse Decadent Flavors

• Chocolate
• Butter
• Kahlúa
• Instant coffee powder

Whisk until achieving a smooth, glossy texture.

Step 6: Assemble and Chill

Pour the filling into the cooled crust. Cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent skin formation. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or until fully set.

Step 7: Dress and Serve

Top the chilled tart with sweetened whipped cream. Sprinkle shaved chocolate for an elegant finish. Serve cold and savor every luxurious bite.

Tips to Nail That Creamy, Silky Filling

• Select Premium Chocolate: Choose top-tier bittersweet chocolate to elevate the entire dessert's rich, decadent flavor profile. Dark chocolate with high cocoa content delivers the most intense taste.
• Master Slow Cooking Technique: Gentle stirring over medium-low heat transforms pudding into a luxuriously smooth filling. Constant movement prevents unsightly lumps and guarantees a silky consistency.
• Prevent Soggy Crust Syndrome: Completely cool the crust before adding filling to maintain structural integrity. Room temperature crust ensures a crisp, clean base that holds its shape beautifully.
• Wrap Like a Pro: Press plastic wrap directly onto the pudding surface to block air exposure. This trick stops unappetizing skin formation and keeps the filling creamy and pristine.
• Patience Yields Perfect Slices: Refrigerate the tart for a full 6 hours minimum. Proper chilling allows the filling to set completely, ensuring clean, picture-perfect cuts when serving.

Store Your Tart Without Losing the Gloss

• Refrigerator Preservation: Keep the tart chilled in an airtight sealed container to lock in its creamy texture and prevent moisture absorption. Shield the delicate surface completely with food-grade plastic wrap, pressing gently to minimize air contact.
• Freezing Option: Wrap individual slices or the whole tart carefully in multiple layers of plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks to preserve flavor intensity. Thaw slowly in the refrigerator overnight before serving to maintain structural integrity.
• Counter Storage: Avoid leaving the tart at room temperature for extended periods. Consume within 2 hours of preparation to prevent potential bacterial growth and ensure peak taste quality. Discard any portion left out longer than recommended food safety guidelines suggest.

Chocolate Twists to Dress It Up Even More

• Coffee Liqueur Kick: Replace Kahlúa with dark rum or bourbon for a stronger alcoholic punch, enhancing the chocolate's rich depth.
• Nutty Chocolate Crunch: Add chopped toasted hazelnuts or almonds to the crust mixture, creating a delightful textural contrast in every bite.
• Espresso Chocolate Infusion: Increase the instant coffee powder or use freshly brewed espresso instead, intensifying the chocolate's complex flavor profile.
• Salted Caramel Layer: Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce between the crust and chocolate filling, introducing a sophisticated sweet-salty element to the classic dessert.

The Dessert That Leaves a Lasting Impression

Chocolate pudding cream tart becomes ultimate dessert perfection with Ina Garten’s magical recipe.

Rich chocolate layers melt seamlessly across graham cracker foundations, creating delectable harmony.

Sophisticated palates will discover complex flavor profiles dancing between creamy textures and deep cocoa notes.

Coffee and Kahlúa whispers elevate this classic dessert into gourmet territory.

Kitchen adventurers can confidently craft this elegant masterpiece with professional-level techniques.

Culinary magic awaits when sweet indulgence meets passionate preparation – you’ll want multiple slices, so grab forks, share generously, and savor each luxurious bite.

Ina Garten Chocolate Pudding Cream Tart Recipe

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4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Silky chocolate pudding nestles into a buttery graham cracker crust, creating a luxurious dessert that whispers pure indulgence. Creamy layers promise Mediterranean-inspired comfort with each elegant spoonful you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups (946 ml) whole milk
• 7 ounces (198 grams) good bittersweet chocolate, such as Lindt, broken
• 5 extra-large egg yolks
• 2 cups (240 grams) graham cracker crumbs

Sweeteners and Binding Agents:

• 1 cup (200 grams) sugar
• ⅓ cup (40 grams) cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon Kahlúa liqueur

Flavor Enhancers and Garnish:

• ¼ pound (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee powder, such as Nescafé Clásico
• Sweetened whipped cream
• Shaved bittersweet chocolate, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare the foundation: Calibrate the oven to 180°C / 350°F. Pulverize graham crackers into fine crumbs and blend thoroughly with granulated sugar and melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press the crumbly mixture evenly into an 11-inch tart pan with a removable bottom, ensuring uniform thickness across the base and sides.
2. Temper the dairy: Gently warm whole milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until it reaches a slight shimmer, avoiding full boiling. Remove from heat momentarily.
3. Create the custard base: In a mixing bowl, whisk together refined sugar, egg yolks, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt until the mixture becomes pale and slightly thickened. Gradually stream the heated milk into the egg mixture while continuously whisking to prevent curdling.
4. Develop the custard consistency: Transfer the liquid mixture to a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring persistently with a wooden spoon. The mixture will gradually thicken and coat the back of the spoon, which takes approximately 5-8 minutes.
5. Incorporate chocolate and aromatics: Remove the pan from heat and fold in dark chocolate pieces, unsalted butter, Kahlúa liqueur, and instant coffee granules. Whisk energetically until the mixture transforms into a glossy, smooth chocolate custard.
6. Construct the tart: Pour the silky chocolate filling into the cooled graham cracker crust, using a spatula to spread evenly. Immediately cover the surface with plastic wrap, pressing directly onto the custard to prevent a skin from forming.
7. Chill and set: Refrigerate the tart for a minimum of 6 hours, allowing the filling to solidify completely. The texture should be firm yet creamy when properly chilled.
8. Finish and present: Before serving, adorn the tart with delicately whipped cream and sprinkle finely shaved chocolate over the top. Slice with a heated knife for clean, precise portions and serve chilled.

Notes

• Pick premium chocolate bars with at least 60% cocoa content for rich, deep flavor that elevates the entire dessert.
• Maintain gentle heat while stirring chocolate mixture to prevent burning and achieve smooth, glossy consistency.
• Ensure pastry shell cools completely to room temperature before adding filling, preventing unwanted moisture and potential structural breakdown.
• Create protective barrier by pressing plastic wrap directly against filling’s surface, blocking air exposure and maintaining pristine texture.
• Refrigerate tart for minimum six hours, allowing filling to set firmly and develop intense flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 30g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 16g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 150mg