Some desserts make you stop mid-bite and just… sigh. That’s exactly what happened the first time I served this Dark Chocolate Tart. It was a quiet winter evening, a few close friends around my table, and the moment this glossy, deep brown tart hit the table, the chatter stopped. Everyone stared for a beat — then leaned in for their slice.
What makes this tart so special isn’t just how beautiful it looks, but how deceptively simple it is to create. It’s the kind of dessert that feels both fancy enough for a dinner party and comforting enough to enjoy on an ordinary Tuesday. It’s everything you want a chocolate dessert to be: intense, smooth, and just a little bit indulgent.
If you’re searching for the kind of dessert that makes people ask for the recipe before their first forkful is even finished, you’ve found it.
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Decadent Dark Chocolate Tart You’ll Crave Again and Again
A rich, glossy dark chocolate tart with a crisp, buttery crust and a silky ganache filling. Perfect as a show-stopping dessert for dinner parties or a special treat, this tart is surprisingly easy to make yet incredibly elegant.
- Total Time: 40 minutes (plus chilling)
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups (160 g) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (30 g) powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1–2 tablespoons cold water
8 oz (225 g) good-quality dark chocolate (around 70% cacao), chopped
3/4 cup (180 ml) heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Pinch of flaky sea salt (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the crust: In a bowl, mix flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add cold water a tablespoon at a time until dough holds together.
Press the dough into a 9-inch tart pan, prick with a fork, and chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line crust with parchment and fill with pie weights or beans. Bake for 15 minutes, remove weights, and bake another 5–10 minutes until lightly golden. Let cool.
Make the filling: Heat cream in a saucepan until just simmering. Pour over chopped chocolate in a bowl. Let sit 1–2 minutes, then stir until smooth. Stir in butter until glossy.
Pour the chocolate filling into cooled tart shell. Smooth the top and chill for at least 1–2 hours until set.
Sprinkle with flaky sea salt before serving if desired.
Notes
Use the best quality dark chocolate you can find for the richest flavor.
The tart can be made a day in advance and kept refrigerated.
Let sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before slicing for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: dark chocolate tart, chocolate ganache tart, easy chocolate tart, dinner party dessert, silky chocolate tart, decadent tart recipe, homemade chocolate tart
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Why You’ll Love This Dark Chocolate Tart
What makes this tart a keeper?
- Intense chocolate flavor: Thanks to good-quality dark chocolate, the taste is bold yet balanced.
- Dreamy texture: Silky, truffle-like filling on a crisp crust.
- Effortless elegance: Looks and tastes like a bakery masterpiece, but you don’t need any fancy techniques.
- Make ahead magic: You can prepare it hours (or even a day) in advance.
The Secret to Great Dark Chocolate Tart
Here’s the truth: the secret is in the chocolate.
Because the filling is made with just a few ingredients, every one of them needs to shine — especially the star. Invest in the best dark chocolate you can find, ideally in the 70% cacao range. Too low, and the tart can taste too sweet; too high, and it can become bitter.
Another key is patience. Giving the tart proper chill time allows the filling to set beautifully and develop its lush, creamy texture. And if you’re tempted to skip the blind baking step for the crust — don’t. That extra bit of care keeps the crust crisp and flaky under all that ganache.
Pro Tips to Nail It Every Time
- Warm your knife for clean slices: Run a sharp knife under hot water, then wipe it dry before cutting. Repeat between slices.
- Blind bake properly: Use pie weights or dried beans to prevent bubbles and keep the crust even.
- A sprinkle of sea salt: Just before serving, add a pinch of flaky salt to elevate the flavor and cut through the richness.
- Room temperature before serving: Let the tart sit out for about 15 minutes before slicing so the filling softens slightly.
Need some plating inspiration? Check out this gorgeous tart presentation on Pinterest for ideas.
Fun Variations to Try
If you’re ready to experiment, here are a few ways to give your Dark Chocolate Tart a twist:
- Mocha Tart: Whisk in a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the filling for a subtle coffee kick that deepens the chocolate flavor.
- Citrus Zest: Grate the zest of one orange or a lemon into the ganache to brighten the richness with a hint of fruitiness.
- Nutty Topping: Scatter toasted hazelnuts, almonds, or pecans over the top for added texture and a nutty aroma.
Each variation is simple but makes the tart feel brand new every time. If you’re craving even more indulgent chocolate desserts, don’t miss my Raspberry Chocolate Ganache Cake — it’s just as rich and irresistible.
Final Thoughts
This Dark Chocolate Tart has a way of making ordinary moments feel extraordinary. It’s both decadent and approachable — the kind of dessert that impresses without intimidating. Every time I make it, I’m reminded that sometimes the simplest ingredients, treated with care, can deliver the biggest impact.
So the next time you want to treat yourself — or someone else — to something truly memorable, reach for this recipe. Let the rich aroma of melting chocolate fill your kitchen, take your time pressing the crust into place, and don’t forget to savor that first silky bite.
It’s not just dessert. It’s a little celebration on a plate.
