Chocolate cream pie is one of David’s all time favorite eats, so this week’s Tuesdays with Dorie recipe caught his interest in a big way. No nuts, no raisins, no coffee, no coconut, no liquor, just pure chocolate cream goodness.
I actually followed the recipe as written, though I did double the salt in the crust. What did we learn from World Peace Cookies? Salt and chocolate are good! Though there is plenty of opportunity to spike the crust with spices, the whipped cream with liquor, or the filling with mix-ins, and I bet some of the other Tuesday with Dorie bakers took creative license to experiment with great results, I stayed true on this one.
The chocolate cream filling is a basic pastry cream made with cornstarch so the filling sets to a nice consistency that doesn’t run or ooze when cut. The flavor is rich and chocolaty and the use of bittersweet chocolate keeps it from becoming overly sweet. The dense rich texture is reminiscent of pots de crème rather than chocolate pudding, which makes the tart quite decadent. The light whipped cream topping is a perfect contrast to the unctuous chocolate pastry cream.
Behold the saucier pan; essential in my mind if you like to make puddings, pastry creams, and various other creamy dessert items or sauces that require constant whisking. What makes this pan so outstanding for intensive whisking or stirring is the lack of a sharp angle between the bottom and side wall. The rounded transition allows you to whisk or stir the contents of the pan thoroughly and evenly creating a smooth evenly cooked result.
Kim of Scrumptious Photography selected this week’s recipe that was enjoyed by all. If you would like to make someone very happy by serving them this delicious chocolate tart, click on over to Kim’s blog for the recipe, or you can find it on page 352 of Dorie’s book.
I, along with over 350 other baking bloggers are baking our way thorough Dorie Greenspan’s book, Baking: From My Home to Yours . 71 recipes completed 150 to go!
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This is a really lovely photo of your tart…I love the dusting of the cocoa powder on the top, just what it needed! Thanks for the photo and chat about the saucier pan…I always love information like that and the photo helps immensely. I think I should make a little trip to Wms S or Sur La T and get myself one of these, don’t you?
By golly… I never noticed you were counting them down! 150! …so we’re not even at the half! WOW!
Frankly, there are soooo many chocolate desserts in Dories book, no way I’m going to make most of them without spiking or flavoring them! …I just can’t …it would kill me! lol lol lol …I like testing and playing around. But everyone who made tart following instructions to a T say it is to die for… so, I’m postitive yours was just that! (and you’re right about the world peace cookies! …must have been a real nice tasty crust!
What I like best of such luxurious pans, really of any shapes and sizes… are the metal handles which permits their use in the oven… should it be needed!
Beautiful as usual, Carol!
If nothing else, you have just convinced me that I NEED a sacuier pan. Thank you for that! Nice looking tart, too!!
I’m with your husband. I’m also a total fan of the chocolate cream pie, and this definitely fit the bill…total comfort food. Your tart looks amazing (your husband took a fantastic photo)!
Great note on the saucier pan…its definitely one of the most used pots/pan in my kitchen.
Carol, what a great picture of that delicious-looking tart! Awesome chocolate crust and whipped cream on top . . WOW WOW WOW.
Can you believe that I do not own a tart pan and I have been baking for over a year now! But I do have a saucier pan. Is that weird?
Saucier goes right on the wish list. Check.
I’m surprised that you stayed true to the recipe, but it really was worth it, right? Soo good, and yours is a beautiful representative.
Nancy
Kayte – you should definitely go shopping for a new pan! Just from the TWD recipes we have yet to make I am sure you will get great use out of it.
Vibi – I just recently started the countdown, I think it’s kind of amazing how many we have already made. I agree that oven-proof handles on pans are a must.
Pamela – once you buy a saucier pan you will wonder how you ever got along without one.
Linda – you may have just helped Kayte and Pamela justify buying a new pan!
Sugar B – I would take a saucier pan over a tart pan any day.
I totally need an excuse to buy more kitchen things, and you just gave me one! A sauciers pan! I love it!
And of course, the tart looks amazing as well. I’d buy one of those, too, if I could
I *love* it that my forebears are getting some love for creating such a handy-dandy pan. I wonder if I can get royalties?
Mary – I would think you should at least get a free pan from someone!
The photo of your tart can only be described as artful, IMO! I love the light dusting of cocoa.
I have a saucier, and can only echo your recommendation. With one of these, your days of trying to scrub off the burned “corner ring” when you boil milk are over (terrible sentence, but I hope you get my meaning!)
Oh, and I didn’t even know I was a chocolate cream pie fan until I had this one!
Yours is so lovely. That is one glorious magnificent tart! Thanks for the sauce pan tip. Now, I know what to buy me next. My hubby will be so excited.
What a gorgeous pan – I need to get myself one of those!
Your tart is perfect! I think Dorie should use that photo in the book. It would make me want to try the recipe
I’m glad it was a success for you. Your tart looks fantastic. I love my saucier pan.
Carol, your tart looks lovely. I sprinkled cocoa powder too, and it made it look so lovely. And it was good as is, with no changes. Yummy!
I do so need a saucier pan. Seems like I have every other pan, tho……
That’s a beautiful tart! And a beautiful saucier pan! The recipe is close to perfection as is — and your execution is beautiful! Nice job!
You know, I have a saucier pan, but it never ever crossed my mind to use it when I made the pastry cream for the banana cream pie or the chocolate cream tart. Geeze Louise…you are brilliant! Next time I make pastry cream…and there will be a next time, because those pies were delish…I’ll get mine out! Thanks!