Ina Garten’s Rich Dark Chocolate Tart Recipe for Dessert Lovers

Dark chocolate tart represents the pinnacle of indulgent dessert experiences for serious chocolate lovers.

Rich, velvety textures meld with intense cocoa flavors that dance across your palate with elegant complexity.

Silky smooth fillings nestled within buttery, crisp crusts create a sensational contrast that elevates this classic dessert.

The deep, sophisticated profile transforms simple ingredients into a remarkable culinary masterpiece that feels simultaneously luxurious and comforting.

Decadent chocolate layers promise an unforgettable sensory journey through nuanced taste and remarkable texture.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike treasure this elegant dessert for its ability to impress without overwhelming complicated techniques.

Guests will be captivated by the sumptuous presentation and irresistible aroma that signals pure chocolate bliss:

Tart Tips for That Silky Chocolate Center

• Temper Ingredients Wisely: Bring eggs and cream to room temperature for silky-smooth chocolate filling that blends perfectly without lumps.
• Bake with Precision: Watch for slightly jiggly center when baking, ensuring a creamy texture without drying out the delicate chocolate filling.
• Patience Matters: Allow the tart to cool completely before glazing, preventing the topping from melting and maintaining its stunning appearance.
• Sift Coffee Smoothly: Run instant coffee granules through a fine-mesh sieve to eliminate gritty texture in the glaze.
• Lift with Care: Use a flat spatula when transferring the tart to prevent cracking the delicate chocolate crust, preserving its elegant shape.

How to Keep Your Tart Fresh and Dense

• Preserve Whole: Shield the entire tart in a sealed glass container, keeping its elegant structure intact. Slip parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain pristine chocolate surfaces.
• Slice Protection: Individually wrap remaining slices in plastic wrap, then store in a rigid container with gentle pressure. This method prevents moisture loss and preserves the tart's rich, creamy texture.
• Temperature Control: Position the tart in the refrigerator's coolest section, away from strong-smelling foods. Cold storage helps maintain its delicate ganache and prevents flavor absorption from surrounding ingredients.

Flavor Upgrades for Your Dark Tart

• Coffee Caramel Infusion: Replace coffee granules with caramel syrup and add a layer of salted caramel between the chocolate filling and glaze for a rich, complex flavor profile.
• Raspberry Dark Chocolate Fusion: Incorporate fresh raspberry puree into the filling and garnish with fresh raspberries on top to create a tangy contrast with the deep chocolate notes.
• Hazelnut Chocolate Crunch: Mix ground toasted hazelnuts into the crust and sprinkle chopped hazelnuts on top of the glaze for added texture and nutty depth.
• Spiced Mexican Chocolate Version: Blend ground cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and a hint of ground chili into the chocolate filling to create a warm, slightly spicy chocolate experience with traditional Mexican chocolate flavor elements.

Chocolate Tart Wrap-Up That Shines

Chocolate lovers, prepare for an extraordinary culinary adventure with Ina Garten’s dark chocolate tart.

Luxurious chocolate layers intertwine with rich, silky textures that dance across palates.

Sophisticated ingredients create an elegant dessert experience that elevates home baking.

Professional techniques merge with simple steps, making this recipe accessible for passionate home chefs.

Chocolate essence permeates each delectable bite, promising pure indulgence.

Savor this masterpiece, share its deliciousness with friends, drop a comment below, and spread the chocolate love across social media platforms.

Why Ina Garten’s Dark Chocolate Tart Is Decadent

• Create Decadent Chocolate Layers: This tart offers an incredible chocolate experience with three distinct layers – a crunchy chocolate cookie crust, rich dark chocolate filling, and a glossy chocolate coffee glaze that intensifies every single bite.
• Master Elegant Dessert Technique: Ina Garten's recipe transforms complex chocolate preparation into an approachable method, allowing home bakers to create a professional-looking dessert with simple steps like whisking chocolate and cream, creating smooth ganache, and adding professional finishing touches like sea salt sprinkle.
• Indulge in Luxurious Texture Contrast: Each slice delivers an amazing sensory journey – crisp chocolate crust provides crunch, silky filling offers smooth creaminess, and glossy glaze adds sleek shine, making every forkful an exciting chocolate adventure that feels both sophisticated and comforting.
• Customize for Special Moments: This tart works perfectly for elegant dinner parties, romantic date nights, holiday gatherings, or as a show-stopping dessert that requires minimal ingredients but delivers maximum chocolate satisfaction with minimal kitchen stress.

Ingredients for a Rich Chocolate Tart

• Chocolate Wafers: Dark and rich chocolate base for a crisp, flavorful crust that adds depth to the tart.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps bind the crust ingredients together.
• Unsalted Butter: Melts to create a cohesive, crisp texture for the chocolate crust.

• Dark Chocolate: High-quality chocolate with intense flavor that creates a rich, smooth filling.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and helps create a silky, creamy chocolate base.
• Large Eggs: Provide structure and help set the filling with a smooth, custard-like texture.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Enhances the chocolate flavor with its warm, aromatic notes.

• Dark Chocolate: Delivers a glossy, intense chocolate topping for the tart.
• Instant Coffee Granules: Deepens the chocolate flavor with a subtle coffee undertone.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth, shiny glaze that covers the tart.
• Flaky Sea Salt: Adds a delightful contrast and highlights the chocolate's richness.

Bake the Perfect Tart with Ina’s Steps

Step 1: Prepare Chocolate Crust

• Chocolate wafers
• Sugar
• Melted butter

Grind wafers and sugar in a food processor until finely processed. Mix with melted butter in a mixing bowl. Press the mixture firmly into a 9-inch / 23 cm tart pan, covering bottom and sides evenly. Bake on a sheet pan at 350°F / 175°C for 10 minutes. Allow crust to cool completely.

Step 2: Craft Silky Chocolate Filling

• Finely chop chocolate
• Warm heavy cream
• Crack fresh eggs
• Measure vanilla extract

Heat cream in a saucepan until it reaches a gentle boil. Pour hot cream over chopped chocolate. Let mixture rest for one minute, then whisk until completely smooth. Gently fold in eggs and vanilla until well combined. Pour filling into cooled chocolate crust.

Step 3: Bake Chocolate Tart

Bake the filled tart in the 350°F / 175°C oven for 18 to 20 minutes. Look for edges that appear set but with a slight jiggle in the center. Remove from oven and let cool completely at room temperature.

Step 4: Create Glossy Chocolate Glaze

• Chopped chocolate
• Coffee granules
• Heavy cream
• Sea salt

Combine chocolate and coffee granules in a bowl. Heat cream until boiling, then pour over chocolate mixture. Allow to sit for one minute, then whisk until perfectly smooth. Pour glaze over cooled tart, spreading evenly to the edges. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt across the top for a gourmet touch.

Step 5: Serve Decadent Dessert

Let tart rest at room temperature until glaze sets completely. Carefully remove from tart pan and transfer to a stunning serving plate. Slice into elegant wedges. Serve at room temperature for maximum flavor and texture enjoyment.

Ina Garten Dark Chocolate Tart Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Rich Dark Chocolate Tart from Ina Garten promises pure indulgence with silky ganache nestled in a buttery crust. Chocolate enthusiasts will savor each luxurious bite of this elegant French-inspired dessert that melts perfectly on your palate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust:

• 1 9-ounce / 255-gram box Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers
• 6 tablespoons / 85 grams unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup / 50 grams sugar

Filling:

• 6½ ounces / 185 grams bittersweet chocolate (such as Lindt), finely chopped
• 1¼ cups / 300 milliliters heavy cream
• 2 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (such as Nielsen-Massey)
• ¼ teaspoon instant coffee granules

Topping:

• 3 ounces / 85 grams bittersweet chocolate (such as Lindt), finely chopped
• ¼ cup / 60 milliliters heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon flaked sea salt (such as Maldon)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the chocolate cookie crust by pulverizing chocolate wafers and granulated sugar in a food processor until achieving a fine, sandy texture. Combine with melted unsalted butter, then firmly press the mixture into a 9-inch / 23 cm tart pan with a removable bottom, ensuring an even distribution across the base and sides.
2. Place the prepared crust on a baking sheet and transfer to an oven preheated to 350°F / 175°C. Bake for approximately 10 minutes, allowing the crust to set and develop a slightly crisp texture. Remove and let cool completely at room temperature.
3. Create the chocolate filling by finely chopping high-quality dark chocolate and placing it in a heat-resistant mixing bowl. Warm the heavy cream in a saucepan until it reaches a gentle boil, then immediately pour over the chocolate. Allow the mixture to rest for one minute before whisking until achieving a smooth, glossy consistency.
4. Incorporate room-temperature eggs and pure vanilla extract into the chocolate ganache, stirring thoroughly to create a homogeneous filling. Carefully pour the mixture into the cooled chocolate cookie crust.
5. Return the tart to the oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, watching for a set exterior with a slight jiggle in the center. The filling should look barely set but not completely solid. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
6. Prepare the coffee-infused chocolate glaze by combining finely chopped chocolate with instant coffee granules in a clean bowl. Heat the cream until it reaches a boiling point, then pour over the chocolate mixture. Let sit for one minute, then whisk until achieving a smooth, lustrous finish.
7. Gently pour the glossy glaze over the cooled tart, using a spatula to spread evenly to the edges. Sprinkle a delicate pinch of flaky sea salt across the surface for a sophisticated flavor contrast.
8. Allow the tart to rest at room temperature until the glaze sets completely. Carefully remove the tart from the pan, transfer to a serving plate, and slice into elegant wedges. Serve at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Warm ingredients blend effortlessly, creating a silky-smooth chocolate filling that’s free from lumps.
• Watch the tart’s edges carefully during baking, stopping just when they set but the center remains slightly soft.
• Patience matters when cooling – allow the tart to reach room temperature before adding the glossy glaze.
• Sifting coffee granules ensures a perfectly smooth, lump-free glaze that shines beautifully on top.
• Gently transfer the delicate tart using a flat spatula to preserve its delectable crust and stunning presentation.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice (based on 8 servings)
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 22g
• Sodium: 70mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 85mg