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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Chilling and Setting: Refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours until the filling becomes completely firm yet creamy.
- 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