Double Chocolate Tartlets are a rich and indulgent dessert for a special occasion. The crisp and delicate chocolate pastry case is filled with chocolate ganache and if you are a fan of chocolate then these are definitely worth the effort.
Why should I make Double Chocolate Tartlets?
It’s nice to be able to impress your friends and family with a dessert that looks like it was made by a pastry chef, but I often feel those fancy French pastries are beyond my ability or available time. I had heard that chocolate pastry was really difficult to work with and ganache seems like a tricky thing to make, however nothing could be further from the truth as you can see from these Double Chocolate Tartlets.
What ingredients do I need to make Double Chocolate Tartlets?
- butter
- icing sugar (confectioner’s sugar)
- salt
- egg
- vanilla extract
- plain flour (all-purpose), sifted
- unsweetened cocoa powder
- dark chocolate (at least 60% solids)
- milk chocolate
- single cream
Tea Time in Paris
It’s all thanks to Jill Colonna, author of Mad about Macarons, the book where she debunked the myth that macarons are difficult to make, this time she has taken on the challenge of making French Patisserie recipes accessible to all in her new book Teatime in Paris.
The book begins with some introductory chapters demystifying Parisian pastry, “How the French eat pastry and yet can stay slim” and a very useful chapter entitled “French Pastry a step at a time”. Jill then goes on to provide some notes on ingredients to help you make a success of your bakes. Then we get into the recipe chapters, each has a story sometimes a little history all of which makes this an entertaining read as well as a practical cook book.
Here are a few of the recipes that stood out for me by chapter:
Something for Teatime: Honey, Rose and Green Tea Madeleines; Almond Tuiles and Speculoos Ice Cream.
Choux Time: A step by step guide to making choux pastry; Cream Puffs; Lemon and Verbena mini-Eclairs and Coffee Eclairs (omg)
French Tartlets: Caramel, Walnut and Maple Tartlets, Double Chocolate Tartlets (see below) and Fast Fig, Almond and Lavender Tart.
Millefeuilles; Mint and Strawberry Millefeuille and Wild Blackberry Millefeuille.
Parisian Macarons: Step by Step guide to making macarons; Salted Caramel Macarons; Raspberry, Lime and Tarragon “Maclairs” and Rhubarb and Poppy Macarons.
A French Tea Party: Paris-Brest-Edinburgh Choux-Nut, Lime and Bitter Chocolate ‘Maclair’ Tartlets and St Honore with Violet.
Towards the end of the book a chapter called Favourite Sweet Walks in Paris takes you on a guided walk around the “City of Light” pointing out some of the famous and best patisseries in Paris.
Finally there are a few suggestions for essential and luxury baking equipment.
Who is it for? Anyone who likes to bake and is looking for a little bit of a challenge, but likes the idea of a helping hand and simple instructions written not by a pastry chef but by a home baker like themselves.
Pros: A wide range of fancy pattiserie, cakes and dessert recipes are provided. The step by step instructions with pictures are really clear and there are lots of extra tips from Jill. I also like that you have the basis for creating your own variations on the recipe.
Cons: If you already have Mad about Macarons, then you already have the instructions on macaron making, although there are some new flavours to entice your palate.
The Verdict: Programmes like the Great British Bake off have brought pastries like Paris Brest, macarons and all manner of fancy tartlets into the British consciousness as something that can be made at home. This book gives you the tools to create these yourself and, if my experience is anything to go by, Jill’s recipes make them much easier than you would think.
Here is Jill’s recipe for Tartelettes au Chocolat, and the story that goes with it:
Teatime in Paris! A Walk Through Easy French Patisserie Recipes
Author: Jill Colonna
Published by Waverley Books, 7th May 2015
RRP £14.99
For recipes and more information about Jill Colonna’s books visit the Mad about Macarons website
Double Chocolate Tartlets
Ingredients
Chocolate pastry cases:
- 125 g butter at room temperature
- 75 g icing sugar confectioner’s sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 egg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract optional
- 240 g plain flour all-purpose) sifted
- 20 g unsweetened cocoa powder
Ganache filling:
- 160 g dark chocolate at least 60% solids
- 80 g milk chocolate
- 230 g single cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
For the pastry cases
- Using a stand mixer with a paddle beater, slowly mix the butter, sugar and salt until pale and creamy. Just for a few seconds, gradually add the other ingredients until the dough is well mixed, then stop.
- Form a ball, wrap in clingfilm and chill in the fridge for at least an hour. Cut out eight tartlets.
- Bake the tartlets for 10–15 minutes at
- 160°C/320°F fan (Gas 4). Allow to cool, and remove from their moulds.
For the Ganache
- To make the ganache filling, break the chocolate into chunks in a bowl.
- Heat the cream with the vanilla extract in a saucepan until nearly boiling.
- Pour over half of the hot cream directly into the bowl of chocolate.
- Stir using a wooden spoon and combine until the ganache is smooth.
- Top with the rest of the hot cream and stir until completely melted and silky.
- Pour the hot ganache into each tartlet and top with a cherry, berries or keep plain.
- Leave to chill in the fridge for at least an hour to set. Take the tartlets out of the fridge 30 minutes before eating.
Notes
• Infuse the seeds of 12 cardamom pods and a teaspoon of
grated ginger in the cream while making the ganache and
serve with a mango and passion fruit salad.
• Why not spread the bases with thick cut marmalade and top
with Cape gooseberries?
Bintu Hardy says
Oooooooh that chocolate tart. I might ask my OH for this cookbook just for that chocolate tart.
Janice Pattie says
It's full of lovely recipes Bintu, I'm sure you would enjoy making them and your family would enjoy eating them!
Jill @Mad About Macarons says
Janice, your photos of these chocolate tartlets are divine! Thank you so much for your kind words – I am thrilled you liked the book.
Janice Pattie says
Thank you, Jill. The tartlets were delicious, thank you for the opportunity to review.
Christina Conte says
I have yet to dive into Jill's latest book, but these Chocolate Tartlets are fabulous!! A great way to get started into French pastry baking, and to encourage more of it, I'm sure! Just lovely, Janice!
Janice Pattie says
I'm sure you will make something fabulous when you decide what to make, there are so many beautiful pastries.
Lucy Allen says
The book sounds just up my street, I will definitely be putting it on my wish list! Thanks for entering your double chocolate tartlets into #PerfectingPatisserie, they look so good with that thick chocolate ganache.
Janice Pattie says
You are welcome Lucy, your challenge could have been made for this book!
Coriander Queen says
This looks like a great little cookbook, and that tartlet looks delicious! I love your variation suggestion of adding cardamom and ginger to it!
Janice Pattie says
Thank you, not my variation though, it's in the book. There are lots of these excellent ideas for the recipes.
Kat BakingExplorer says
Wow they look so delicious! Thanks for entering into Treat Petite.
Janice Pattie says
You are welcome, and they were delicious.
Claire Jessiman says
I'm rather scared of pattiserie! My baking is definitely more rustic than pretty and precise. I do fancy giving chocolate pastry a go.
Janice Pattie says
I'm pretty rustic myself Claire, however the instructions are very clear, so I'm sure you would make some lovely bakes.
Anita-Clare Field says
Wow, utterly gorgeous, I am very petrified of baking so I think I will leave these to the experts !
Janice Pattie says
Gosh Anita-Clare you are so good at cooking, you can't really be scared of baking, it's not hard at all.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Oh that looks good Janice and you could change up the fillings too with a nice pastry case like that.
Janice Pattie says
There are lots of filling ideas in the book, Passionfruit and Lemon Meringue Tartlets sound really lush.
Charlene F says
Looks delish 🙂 x
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Charlene.
Made With Pink says
Wow! These look so good! Definitely my kind of dessert. Not to sure I'd like cardamom infused ones though, but these are my ideal dessert just as they are.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks. Lots of ideas for different flavours if you don't like cardamom, maybe elderflower pastry cream or rose pasty cream, both sound lovely.
belleau kitchen says
well, aren't they divine little tarts… I LOVE your book reviews they are so honest and to the point. Love these chocolate tarts too. salivating!
Janice Pattie says
Thank you Dom.
Stuart Vettese says
How perfect is that book for my little Treat Petite Eurovision quest? These look delicious Janice, thanks for taking part.
Janice Pattie says
I know, that's what I thought Stuart, was clapping my hands with glee!
Choclette Blogger says
Those tarts look superb as is the book. You're well ahead of me in writing up Janice, but I will get there.
laura banks says
looks lovely i'm happy eating any cakes
Kim Neville says
Look mouthwatering. Would love to try out 🙂
Sarah Trivuncic says
These look amazing. I will have to look out for this book.
GG says
Great sounding book, I love books that have hidden gems like the patisserie walk. What's not to love about recipes for great pastries and a guided tour. GG
Sew White says
I've been looking for something chocolatey tarty to make for the bank holiday – these look amazing! I think it will have to be this!
Jill @MadAboutMacarons says
Thank you, Janice. What lovely comments here – and I think we have a few budding chocolate pastry testers to give it a go – you've certainly tempted everyone with your lovely photos! And I've finally found a way to link this up on my homepage – including the giveaway! Thanks so much again for such an honest and wonderful review.
Janice Pattie says
You are welcome Jill. I genuinely enjoyed making the tartlets and I'm sure I will be returning to the book to make more pastries.
Anne says
Book sounds amazing. We enjoyed some delicious goodies when we visited Paris. I love a good Chocolate eclair, cream scone or Macaroon.
kj19 says
scones with cream and jam
Katherine says
My favourite tea time treat is a healthy slice of Victoria sponge 🙂
Lucy Allen says
My fave tea time treat is a pavlova!
Choclette Blogger says
And thanks for linking up the tarts to #WeShouldCocoa – I really must get on with that review!