Nutella Chocolate Tart

January is not really the month for desserts, but I have to tell you about this tart. We were spending some time in Miami over the Holidays and one evening we ordered dessert at a Pizzeria. It was a Nutella Tart and it was so incredibly good- warm, filled with dark chocolate and with a bold Hazelnut taste.  I just had to find a recipe for it! So I started my search and found this tart from Pierre Herme. This tart is delicious because of the three different flavours: on top you have the toasted crunchy Hazelnuts, then a layer of dark chocolate ganache followed by a layer of creamy Nutella.
The tart didn't taste exactly like the one we enjoyed in Miami but it was equally good, so here is the recipe.

Nutella Chocolate Tart 

(Pierre Herme)

For the Sweet Tart Dough (this makes more than you need for this recipe):

2 1/2 sticks, 10 ounces, unsalted butter at room temperature

1 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted

1/2 cup, 3 1/4 ounces, lightly packed finely ground almond powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean pulp or pure vanilla extract

2 large eggs at room temperature, lightly beaten

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Note:  You will only neeed 1/4 to 1/3 of the dough that this recipe makes for an 8 3/4 inch tart pan.  The book states that making a large quantity of this dough yields the best results.  I saved the rest in the freezer for another use.

Using a food processor fitted with the metal blade, pulse the butter and process, remembering to scrape down the sides of the bowl from time to time.  Process until the butter is creamy.  Add the sugar and blend well.  Next, add the almond powder, salt, vanilla and process until the mixture is smooth, again scraping when necessary.  Add the eggs and process just until blended.  Add the flour and pulse until the mixture just starts to come together.  Stop as soon as the dough forms moist curds and clumps and starts to gather into a ball.  It is very important not to overwork the dough.  The dough will be very soft and pliable if you’ve done this right.

Shape the dough into a ball and divide it into 3 or 4 pieces:  3 pieces for 10-inch tarts, 4 for 9-inch tarts.  Or, you can shape it into one large ball and cut off as much as you need.  Gently press each piece into a disk and wrap in plastic.  Allow the dough to rest in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or for up to 2 days before rolling and baking.  The dough can also be wrapped and frozen for up to a month.

To bake:

Butter a tart ring and preheat the oven to 350ºF.  Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness between 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch.  Fit the dough onto the bottom and sides of the ring and cut of the excess.  Prick the dough all over with a fork and chill for at least 3o minutes in the refrigerator.

When you are ready to bake the crust, fit a circle of parchment paper or foil into the crust and fill with dried beans or rice.  Bake the crust for 18-20 minutes , until it is just lightly colored.  If it needs more time in the oven, remove the rice/beans and the parchment paper and bake for another five minutes, or until golden.  Transfer the crust to a rack to cool.

For the Filling (Intended for a fully-baked 8 3/4 inch tart shell)

2/3 cup Nutella

4 3/4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

7 tablespoons, 3 1/2 ounces, unsalted butter

1 large egg at room temperature, stirred with a fork

3 large egg yolks at room temperature, stirred with a fork

2 tablespoons sugar

1 cup hazelnuts toasted, skinned and cut into large pieces (half the amount is enough)

Preheat oven to 375ºF.  Spread the Nutella evenly over the bottom of the crust and set aside.

Melt the chocolate and butter in separate bowls over simmering water or in the microwave.  Allow them to cool until they just feel warm to the touch, about 104ºF.

Use a small whisk to stir the egg into the chocolate, gently and taking care not to agitate the mixture.  You don’t want to beat air into the ganache.  Stir in the egg yolks a little at a time, followed by the sugar.  Stir in the warm butter.  Pour the ganache over the Nutella in the tart shell.  Scatter the nuts over the top.

Bake the tart for 11 minutes.  (I baked mine 20 minutes because I wanted it more set in the middle) The center of the tart will still be a little jiggly.  Remove the tart from the oven and slide onto a rack.  Allow the tart to cool for at least 20 minutes  or until it reaches room temperature.

can be made a day ahead

Serves 6 – 8