Chocolate Tart with Hazelnut Shortbread Crust

A sublime silky chocolate custard fills this simple hazelnut shortbread crust. Serve garnished with whipped cream and toasted hazelnuts for a special touch.

Ingredients

Crust

• 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup hazelnuts
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 2 tablespoons hazelnut oil, or canola oil
• 1 tablespoon ice water

Filling

• 1 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
• 1 tablespoon water
• 3/4 cup low-fat milk
• 2 large egg yolks
• 2 1/2 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon coffee liqueur, such as Kahlua (optional)
• 4 dried egg whites (see Ingredient Note), reconstituted according to package directions (equivalent to 2 egg whites)
• 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF.
2. To prepare crust: Coat a 9-inch tart pan with cooking spray. Combine whole-wheat pastry flour, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, hazelnuts, 1/4 cup sugar and salt in a food processor; process until the nuts are finely ground. Add butter one piece at a time, pulsing once or twice after each addition, until incorporated. Add oil and ice water and pulse just until incorporated. Turn the dough out into the prepared pan (it will be crumbly), spread evenly and press firmly into the bottom and all the way up the sides to form a crust.
3. Bake the crust until set and the edges are beginning to brown, about 15 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.
4. To prepare filling: Sprinkle gelatin over water in a small bowl; let stand, stirring once or twice, while you prepare the rest of the filling.
5. Heat milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat until steaming (but not boiling); remove from the heat to cool slightly.
6. Whisk egg yolks, 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar and 1 tablespoon flour in a medium bowl until combined. Gradually whisk in 1/2 cup of the hot milk. Whisk the egg yolk mixture into the pan with the remaining hot milk. Return to the heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (do not boil), about 1 minute. Remove from the heat; whisk in chocolate until completely melted. Whisk in the softened gelatin and coffee liqueur (if using) until smooth.
7. Beat reconstituted egg whites and cream of tartar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until frothy. Increase speed to high and beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and beat until stiff peaks form, 3 to 5 minutes. Gently fold the chocolate custard into the egg whites until blended. Spoon the filling into the crust; smooth the top with the back of a spoon and chill, uncovered, until set, about 1 hour.

Tips & Notes

• Make Ahead Tip: Loosely cover and refrigerate the tart for up to 1 day. | Equipment: 9-inch tart pan (with or without removable bottom)

• Ingredient Note: Dried egg whites are pasteurized—a wise choice when making uncooked fillings. You'll find them in the baking or natural-foods section of most supermarkets. Reconstitute according to package directions.

Nutrition

Per serving: 268 calories; 16 g fat (6 g sat, 7 g mono); 55 mg cholesterol; 29 g carbohydrates; 6 g protein; 3 g fiber; 141 mg sodium; 117 mg potassium.
2 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 2 carbohydrates (other), 3 fat