Cooking Lesson #346: Easy Chocolate Ganache Mini Tarts

…from the California Kitchen

​How you doin’? Are you dying for a little afternoon chocolate fix? My Chocolate Ganache Mini Tarts are a chocolate lover’s dream. I make a homemade flaky crust—not store bought—and fill it with an irresistible chocolate ganache that’s so easy, you won’t believe it.
 
Chocolate Ganache Mini Tarts are perfect for almost anytime you have a chocolate craving. And so seriously easy, it will become your go-to chocolate dessert recipe.
 
While any tart crust works, yes, even store-bought, this decadent, chocolate mousse-like filling and flakey, tender crust make this tart very special. Be sure to coat hands well with flour when putting the dough into the pastry cups.
 
Prep time:  30 minutes
Bake time:  20 to 25 minutes
Tart Cool time:  5 minutes
Chill time:  20 minutes
Yield:  24 mini tarts
 
Ingredients
For the flaky pastry
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour
 
For the ganache filling
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
 
For the optional garnish
Whipped cream, fresh raspberries and confectioners' sugar
 
Directions
To make the tart shell

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F.
2. In a medium sized bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese until very smooth.
3. Add the flour and mix until incorporated. Do not overmix.
4. Drop the dough by scant tablespoonfuls into greased mini-muffin cups.
5. With well-floured hands and fingers, press the dough onto the bottoms and up the sides of the cups.
6. Bake at 325° F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Cool for 5 minutes before removing the shells from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

To make the ganache filling

1. Place the chocolate chips in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate, whisk until smooth.
2. Transfer to a smaller bowl, cover and refrigerate until firm.
3. Beat the chilled chocolate ganache mixture until soft peaks form. Using a pastry bag, pipe the ganache into tart shells.

ChefSecret:  Dress up the tarts by garnishing with whipped cream, raspberries and/or confectioner’s sugar if desired.

Quip of the Day: “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you'll ever know.”
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