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Black forest tarts are a delicious dessert that features a rich chocolate crust filled with a creamy chocolate ganache and topped with sweet cherries. These tarts are a variation of the classic German black forest cake and are perfect for those who love chocolate and cherries.
The combination of the rich chocolate and tart cherries creates a perfect balance of flavors that is both decadent and satisfying. Black forest tarts are perfect for special occasions or as a special treat for yourself.
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Easy Chocolate Cherry Tarts
Black Forest flavor is named after the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) region in southwestern Germany. The region is known for its dense forests, stunning mountain scenery, and traditional culinary specialties, including Black Forest cake, which features layers of chocolate cake, whipped cream, and cherries. The Black Forest flavor is typically a combination of chocolate and cherry, which is why it is often associated with the Black Forest region’s famous cake. It is a popular flavor for a variety of desserts, including tarts, cupcakes, and ice cream.
Black forest tarts with cherries are a delicious dessert that is perfect for any occasion. These tarts have a rich chocolate flavor with a hint of cherry sweetness that is sure to please any chocolate lover. The combination of chocolate and cherries is a classic flavor pairing that has been popular for centuries, and for good reason.
Black forest tarts typically consist of a chocolate tart crust filled with a layer of chocolate ganache and topped with whipped cream and cherries. The tart crust is typically made with a combination of flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and butter, which creates a rich and buttery base for the tart. The chocolate ganache layer is made with high-quality chocolate and heavy cream, which creates a smooth and velvety texture with a deep chocolate flavor.
The cherries in black forest tarts provide a delicious burst of sweetness that complements the rich chocolate flavor perfectly. Traditionally, black forest tarts are made with tart cherries, but sweet cherries can also be used. The cherries are typically pitted and cooked with sugar and cornstarch to create a thick, sweet cherry filling that is spread over the chocolate ganache layer.
Black forest tarts with cherries are a perfect dessert for special occasions such as holidays or dinner parties. They can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to serve. They can be garnished with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and fresh cherries to create a beautiful and delicious dessert that is sure to impress your guests.
How To Make Black Forest Tarts
To make this recipe, you’ll need:
- Oreo crumbs: provides a chocolatey and slightly sweet base for the tart shell.
- Butter (melted): helps to bind the oreo crumbs together for the tart shell.
- Finely chopped chocolate: forms the basis of the chocolate ganache filling, contributing to the rich and decadent chocolate flavor.
- Butter (cubed): adds richness and creaminess to the ganache filling.
- Heavy cream: provides a smooth and creamy texture to the ganache filling while also balancing the sweetness of the chocolate.
- Pure vanilla extract: enhances the overall flavor profile of the chocolate ganache filling.
- Fresh cherries (halved): offers a tart and fruity contrast to the chocolatey and rich ganache filling, as well as a pop of color.
- Whipped cream (optional): adds a light and fluffy texture to the tarts while also complementing the richness of the chocolate ganache.
- Chocolate shavings: provides a decorative finishing touch to the tarts while also adding additional chocolate flavor.
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, you will use the following process:
- Make the tart shell. Preheat your oven to 350F and grease 4 individual tart pans with nonstick baking spray. Add the oreo crumbs and melted butter to a medium bowl and mix to combine. If using unsalted butter, add a small pinch of salt (about 1/16th teaspoon). Divide the crumbs between the four tart shells and press them into a smooth, even layer on the bottom and sides.
- Bake the tart shell. Bake the tart shells for 6 minutes. Then allow the tart shells to cool on a wire rack before removing them from the pan.
- Make the Chocolate Ganache Filling. Add the chopped chocolate and cubed butter to a heatproof bowl. Warm the heavy cream (in the microwave or on the stovetop) until steaming. Pour the cream over the chocolate and butter and allow it to sit for 1 minute. Add the vanilla and whisk the ganache until the chocolate and butter have melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Fill tarts. Divide the ganache between the four tart shells and top with a few pieces of halved fresh cherry.
- Chill. Place the tartlets in the fridge to chill until the ganache has set–about 3 hours.
- Serve. To serve, top the tart with whipped cream and fresh cherries. Garnish with chocolate shavings and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks to Perfect Black Forest Tarts
Use high-quality ingredients: The quality of the chocolate and cherries used in this recipe can greatly affect the final taste of the tarts, so make sure to use the best quality you can find.
Chill the ganache: Once you’ve made the chocolate ganache filling, it’s important to chill it in the fridge until it has thickened. This will help prevent the filling from running out of the tart shells.
Pre-bake the crust: To ensure that the tart shells are crisp and hold up well, it’s important to pre-bake them before filling them with the chocolate ganache and cherries.
Keep the tarts chilled: Because these tarts contain fresh cherries and whipped cream, it’s important to keep them chilled until serving to prevent spoilage.
Garnish just before serving: If you’re adding whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or fresh cherries to the top of your tarts, it’s best to do this just before serving to prevent the toppings from becoming soggy.
FAQs
Black forest tarts can last for up to 3-4 days if stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Yes, you can use frozen cherries in black forest tarts if fresh cherries are not available. Just make sure to thaw the cherries completely before using them in the recipe.
Yes, you can use a different type of cookie for the tart shell, such as graham crackers or shortbread cookies.
Yes, you can make the black forest tarts ahead of time, but it’s best to wait to add the whipped cream and garnish until just before serving.
Yes, you can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate for the filling, but keep in mind that it will result in a sweeter flavor if you use milk chocolate, and a more bitter flavor if you use dark chocolate.
What to Serve With Black Forest Tarts
Whipped cream: A dollop of whipped cream on top of the black forest tart can help balance out the rich chocolate flavor and add some creaminess. You could also serve with some Berries and Creme Anglaise!
Fresh fruit: Fresh fruit, such as raspberries, strawberries, or even more cherries, can add a pop of color and freshness to the dessert.
Coffee or tea: To round out the dessert, a cup of cardamom coffee or tea and tonic can be a perfect complement to the rich chocolate and sweet cherry flavors of the tart.
Black Forest Tarts Recipe
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Black Forest Tarts
Ingredients
For the Tart Shell
- 2 cups oreo crumbs
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
For the Chocolate Ganache Filling
- 8 ounces finely chopped chocolate
- 3 tablespoons butter cubed
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup fresh cherries halved
For Garnish, optional
- 1 cup whipped cream
- Fresh cherries
- Chocolate shavings
Instructions
- For the Tart Shell
- Preheat your oven to 350F and grease 4 individual tart pans with nonstick baking spray.
- Add the oreo crumbs and melted butter to a medium bowl and mix to combine. If using unsalted butter, add a small pinch of salt (about 1/16th teaspoon).
- Divide the crumbs between the four tart shells and press them into a smooth, even layer on the bottom and sides.
- Bake the tart shells for 6 minutes. Then allow the tart shells to cool on a wire rack before removing them from the pan.
- For the Chocolate Ganache Filling
- Add the chopped chocolate and cubed butter to a heatproof bowl.
- Warm the heavy cream (in the microwave or on the stovetop) until steaming. Pour the cream over the chocolate and butter and allow it to sit for 1 minute.
- Add the vanilla and whisk the ganache until the chocolate and butter have melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Divide the ganache between the four tart shells and top with a few pieces of halved fresh cherry.
- Place the tartlets in the fridge to chill until the ganache has set–about 3 hours.
- To serve, top the tart with whipped cream and fresh cherries.
- Garnish with chocolate shavings and enjoy.
