Happy New Year, friends! I was recently invited by Samsung to make a Club des Chefs recipe by Eric Fréchon, a three-Michelin-star chef and MOF titleholder. I’ll admit I felt a bit intimidated at first, but when I learned the recipe was for a chocolate tart I couldn’t wait to try it—because who can resist chocolate?
My girls and I had a wonderful time making our tart. It came together faster than I expected. We did have one small mishap while attempting a homemade crust—an easy lesson learned. Chef Fréchon recommends using pie weights or dried beans to prevent the crust from slipping when blind-baking, so don’t skip that step if you make the crust from scratch. We recovered quickly and the finished tart was beautiful and far exceeded our expectations.
For a simple garnish, dust the tart with powdered sugar for a snowy look, add a few mint leaves for color and texture, or top with berries, whipped cream, or chocolate shavings.
This chocolate tart is straightforward to prepare and wonderfully rich. It’s an excellent option for a New Year’s gathering, a dinner party, or any time you want an impressive dessert with minimal effort.
Adapted measurements and quick method
Crust:
For convenience, use a high-quality pre-made pie shell. Follow the package instructions for blind-baking if required, and use pie weights or dried beans to keep the crust in place while baking.
Filling:
Melt 10–12 ounces (about 280–340 g) dark chocolate baking chunks (approximately 67% cacao). Stir in about 2 tablespoons of butter until melted and incorporated. Remove from heat, then add about 10 ounces (300 ml) of heavy cream and stir until smooth. Pour the chocolate mixture into the prepared crust and refrigerate for about 30 minutes, or until set.
Variations: Use different percentages of dark chocolate to adjust sweetness and intensity; top with sea salt flakes for contrast; or fold in a splash of flavored liqueur once the chocolate has cooled slightly for a subtle aromatic note.
Photos and video by The Inspired Room, in partnership with Samsung Home Appliances.