Ina Garten’s Heavenly Chocolate Pudding Cream Tart Recipe

Chocolate lovers rejoice as this decadent Ina Garten chocolate pudding cream tart recipe promises pure indulgence.

Rich, silky chocolate filling nestles into a buttery, crisp crust that melts in your mouth.

Each spoonful delivers waves of deep cocoa flavor and luxurious smoothness.

The dessert combines elegance with simplicity, making it perfect for weekend gatherings or sophisticated dinner parties.

Smooth chocolate pudding meets a delicate cream topping, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Whisked to perfection, this tart stands as a testament to Garten’s culinary genius.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this irresistible chocolate masterpiece.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 392 kcal

Servings: 8

What You’ll Need for Ina Garten Chocolate Pudding Cream Tart

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Provides a classic, crumbly foundation with a hint of honey sweetness and creates a perfect base for the creamy filling..
• Granulated Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness and helps bind the crust ingredients together..
• Unsalted Butter: Melts and acts as a crucial binding agent, giving the crust a rich, golden color and smooth texture..

• Whole Milk: Creates a luxurious, creamy base that ensures a silky-smooth pudding texture..
• Granulated Sugar: Balances the bitterness of chocolate and adds delightful sweetness to the filling..
• Egg Yolks: Contribute richness, help thicken the pudding, and provide a velvety mouthfeel..
• Cornstarch: Works as a magical thickening agent, giving the pudding its perfect pudding-like consistency..
• Salt: Enhances and deepens the overall flavor profile of the chocolate filling..
• Semisweet Chocolate: Delivers intense chocolate flavor and creates a decadent, glossy finish..
• Unsalted Butter: Adds extra richness and creates a smooth, glossy texture..
• Kahlúa: Introduces a subtle coffee liqueur complexity that elevates the chocolate flavor..
• Instant Coffee Powder: Intensifies the chocolate's depth and adds a sophisticated background note..

• Heavy Cream: Whips into a cloud-like topping that adds lightness and elegance..
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream with a delicate texture..
• Chocolate: Provides a beautiful,.

Tools of the Trade: Ina Garten Chocolate Pudding Cream Tart

• 11-inch tart pan with removable base: Essential for creating the perfect tart shape and easy removal.
• Mixing bowl: Needed for combining graham cracker crust ingredients and mixing filling base.
• Electric mixer: Crucial for blending egg yolks, sugar, and creating a smooth mixture.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring the filling while it thickens on the stove.
• Saucepans (small and large): One for heating milk, another for cooking the filling.
• Whisk: Great for incorporating chocolate and creating a silky-smooth texture.
• Plastic wrap: Helps prevent skin from forming on the pudding surface.
• Grater or vegetable peeler: Useful for creating chocolate shavings for garnish.

Assembling Ina Garten Chocolate Pudding Cream Tart with Ease

Chocolate Pudding Cream Tart

• Crust Foundation

Create a delectable base by crushing graham crackers and mixing with melted butter. Press the mixture firmly into a tart pan, creating a smooth, even surface. Bake briefly to solidify the foundation, allowing it to develop a golden, crispy texture.

• Creamy Chocolate Preparation

Gently warm milk in a saucepan, preparing for the luxurious filling. Combine egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch in a mixing bowl, whisking until silky smooth. Slowly incorporate the warm milk, creating a velvety custard base that will transform into a rich chocolate dream.

• Flavor Infusion

Remove the custard from heat and introduce deep chocolate notes. Fold in high-quality chocolate, a touch of butter, and a splash of Kahlúa. Stir until the mixture becomes glossy and irresistibly smooth, releasing an intoxicating aroma that promises decadence.

• Chilling and Setting

Pour the luscious chocolate filling into the prepared crust. Cover carefully to prevent any unwanted skin from forming. Refrigerate for several hours, allowing the tart to set into a perfectly smooth, creamy consistency.

• Final Touch

Just before serving, crown the tart with billowy whipped cream and delicate chocolate shavings. The result is a show-stopping dessert that combines rich chocolate, silky texture, and elegant presentation.

Flavor Upgrades for Ina Garten Chocolate Pudding Cream Tart

• Firmly press graham cracker mixture into the tart pan to create a compact, even base that won't crumble when slicing.
• Experiment with different coffee liqueurs like Tia Maria or espresso to deepen the chocolate's rich flavor profile.
• Swap dark chocolate for milk or semi-sweet chocolate depending on your preferred sweetness level, ensuring high-quality chocolate for best results.
• Replace shaved chocolate with chocolate curls, cocoa powder dusting, or fresh berries for a stunning presentation that adds texture and visual appeal.
• Prepare the tart up to 2 days in advance and store covered in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and simplifying your dessert preparation.

How to Serve Ina Garten Chocolate Pudding Cream Tart Beautifully

• Serve Alongside a Rich Dessert Wine: Pair this decadent chocolate tart with a sweet port or Madeira to complement its intense chocolate flavors and create a luxurious after-dinner experience.
• Chill and Present with Elegance: Slice the tart into clean, precise wedges on a chilled serving plate to highlight its smooth texture and showcase the beautiful layers of chocolate and crust.
• Enhance with Fresh Berries: Scatter fresh raspberries or strawberries around the tart's edges to add a bright, tart contrast to the rich chocolate filling and provide a pop of color on the plate.
• Create a Chocolate Lover's Dream: Dust the top with extra cocoa powder or dark chocolate shavings just before serving to intensify the chocolate experience and add a professional, gourmet touch.

Best Ways to Store Ina Garten Chocolate Pudding Cream Tart

• Advance Prep Magic: Make the entire tart up to 2 days before your event, keeping it tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for maximum freshness and flavor development.
• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store the chilled tart covered with plastic wrap directly on the surface of the filling to prevent moisture buildup and maintain its silky texture.
• Slice and Serve Technique: Cut clean, beautiful slices by using a knife dipped in hot water between each slice, wiping the blade clean for picture-perfect servings.
• Freezing Possibility: Wrap the fully assembled tart in double layers of plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing it in the freezer for up to 1 month – perfect for unexpected dessert cravings or last-minute gatherings.

Velvety Ina Garten Chocolate Pudding Cream Tart Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

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

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Description

Delicious chocolate pudding cream tart from Ina Garten combines silky chocolate filling with a buttery crust. Chocolate lovers will savor rich layers of creamy indulgence that make this dessert an irresistible finale to any meal.

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Ingredients

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• 4 cups (946 ml) whole milk
• 5 extra-large egg yolks
• 7 oz (198 grams) good bittersweet chocolate, such as Lindt, broken
• 1 cup (200 grams) sugar
• 2 cups (240 grams) graham cracker crumbs
• ¼ lb (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• ⅓ cup (40 grams) cornstarch
• 1 tbsp Kahlúa liqueur
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp instant coffee powder, such as Nescafé Clásico
• Sweetened whipped cream
• Shaved bittersweet chocolate, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Foundation Preparation: Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F. Pulverize graham crackers into fine crumbs, combining with sugar and melted butter until achieving a wet sand consistency. Press the mixture uniformly into an 11-inch tart pan, ensuring complete coverage of base and sides.
2. Custard Development: Warm whole milk in a saucepan until shimmering. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt until pale. Gradually incorporate heated milk while whisking continuously. Transfer to a heavy-bottomed saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring persistently until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a wooden spoon.
3. Chocolate Infusion: Remove from heat and integrate dark chocolate, unsalted butter, Kahlúa, and instant coffee granules. Whisk vigorously until transforming into a glossy, smooth chocolate custard with rich, complex flavors.
4. Tart Assembly: Pour the velvety chocolate filling into the graham cracker crust, spreading evenly with a spatula. Cover the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent skin formation.
5. Chilling and Setting: Refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours until the filling becomes completely firm yet creamy.
6. Presentation: Before serving, crown the tart with whipped cream and delicately sprinkle finely shaved chocolate. Slice with a heated knife for pristine, elegant portions and serve thoroughly chilled.

Notes

• Crust Consistency Check: Ensure graham cracker mixture feels like wet sand to guarantee a stable, compact tart base that won’t crumble when sliced.
• Prevent Curdling Technique: Stream hot milk slowly into egg mixture while whisking constantly to create a smooth, lump-free custard foundation.
• Chocolate Melting Tip: Remove custard from heat before adding chocolate to preserve its rich flavor and prevent scorching or separating.
• Chilling Critical Step: Cover pudding surface directly with plastic wrap to block air exposure, preventing unsightly skin formation and maintaining silky texture.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 392
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 137 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 116 mg