The chocolate tart by Ernst Knam is a true delight for the palate. This great pastry chef and maître chocolatier, born in Germany but adopted by Milan, has created a simply divine recipe that combines the crunchiness of cocoa shortcrust pastry with the creaminess of dark chocolate custard. Maestro Knam, originally from Germany but now adopted by our country, maintains that there are few but fundamental secrets to achieving a quality chocolate tart. In addition to top-quality raw materials, it is important not to overwork the shortcrust pastry to avoid the butter melting during preparation. Also, once ready, it is advisable to let the shortcrust pastry rest wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator. If you have little time but still want to try making the tart, you can create a flat block with the shortcrust pastry, wrap it in plastic wrap, and let it rest in the refrigerator, thus reducing resting times.
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- Difficulty: Medium
- Cost: Inexpensive
- Portions: for 6 people
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
For 6 people:
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 cups butter
- 2/3 cups sugar
- 1 pcs egg
- 1/3 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 4 pcs egg yolks
- 3 tbsps sugar
- 1 tbsp potato starch
- 1 tbsp rice flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 vanilla pods
- 6 oz dark chocolate
- 1/2 cups fresh cream
- 1 cups custard
- 1 cups ganache
Tools
To make Ernst Knam’s tart with a 20 cm mold, you will need several kitchen tools and ingredients. Here is a list of basic tools and ingredients you might use:
- Mold
- Bowl
- Whisk
- Pastry Cutter
- Rack
Procedure
Start by mixing butter, sugar, and salt together until you get a homogeneous mixture.
Add the egg, flour, baking powder, and cocoa to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix well until you form a uniform dough. Shape into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This will help cool the dough and make it easier to work with.
If you prefer, you can prepare the shortcrust using a mixer. Blend sugar and cold butter together until you get a sandy texture. Then add the flour, cocoa, and salt. Finally, add the eggs and continue blending until you get a smooth dough.
Once baked, let it cool completely before serving.
By following these detailed steps, you can prepare a delicious tart with a shortcrust and chocolate custard base!Prepare the custard by cutting the vanilla pod in half lengthwise and scraping the seeds with a knife blade. Add the seeds to the hot milk along with the vanilla pod cut into pieces. Mix the egg yolks with sugar in a separate bowl, then add the flours and mix well. Slowly temper the yolk mixture into the hot milk, stirring continuously.
Place the bowl with the custard on the heat and thicken, stirring constantly with a whisk to prevent lumps from forming. Once thickened, remove the vanilla pod and seeds from the cream.To prepare the ganache, bring the cream to the boil in a saucepan. Remove from the heat and add the chopped chocolate. Stir until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous consistency. Let it cool slightly.
Take 1 cup of cooled ganache and combine it with 1 cup of previously prepared custard. Mix well until you get a combined cream.The doses of this recipe are for a 20 cm diameter cake tin (about 6 people), but the rule of doubling each ingredient applies if making it in a mold 4 cm wider.
Take the shortcrust dough from the refrigerator and save about a quarter for the decorative strips. Roll out the rest of the dough between two sheets of parchment paper using a rolling pin, then transfer it to a previously buttered cake tin.
Pour the custard onto the shortcrust base in the cake tin.
Take the reserved shortcrust dough and roll it out thinly. Cut strips of dough to decorate the cake.Butter and flour a round pan, preferably springform, 20 cm in diameter. Bake the cake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 35 minutes or until the surface is golden. Once baked, let it cool completely before serving.
By following these detailed steps, you can prepare a delicious tart with a shortcrust and chocolate custard base!
Storage and Notes
Now that we have prepared this chocolate delight, we must also think about how to best store it to enjoy every slice in the following days. Here are some useful tips:
Once completely cooled, you can store the tart in the refrigerator. Cover it with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.
If you prefer to enjoy it at room temperature, you can store it in a cool, dry place away from heat sources.
The chocolate tart keeps well for about 3-4 days, but I assure you it will be difficult to resist eating it all before then!
If you have any leftover slices, you can freeze them for longer storage. Put them in a sealable food bag and place them in the freezer. When you want to enjoy them, simply thaw them at room temperature or in the microwave.
Personally, I love chocolate tart because it is a dessert that tastes like home, tradition, and family. But sometimes I like to experiment with variants to make this delight even more delicious. I wanted to taste some of these variants, and I must say they are all incredibly good. The first variant I tried is the dark chocolate tart with coffee ganache. The intense taste of dark chocolate perfectly matches the bold flavor of coffee, creating a perfect combination for the palate.
The second variant I tasted is the white chocolate and berry tart. Here the contrast between the sweetness of white chocolate and the acidity of the berries creates an explosion of flavors.
Finally, I tried the chocolate and hazelnut tart. In this case, the crunchiness of the hazelnuts combines with the creaminess of the chocolate, creating an irresistible mix.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is Knam’s chocolate tart?
Knam’s chocolate tart is a delicious creation by pastry chef Ernst Knam, renowned for his gourmet creations in the field of pastry. It is a tart made with a shortcrust base, filled with a delicious chocolate cream that bears Knam’s unique and refined signature.
What is the secret to making a chocolate tart in the style of Knam?
The secret often lies in the quality of the ingredients and attention to detail. Knam is known for his attention to selecting high-quality ingredients, such as fine chocolate and high-quality butter. Precision in preparing the chocolate cream, the consistency of the shortcrust pastry, and immaculate presentation are key elements.
Quanto è complesso preparare una crostata al cioccolato alla maniera di Knam?
The complexity can vary depending on cooking experience. Making the shortcrust and chocolate cream requires some precision, but with the right attention to detail and following an accurate recipe, it is possible to prepare a delicious chocolate tart even for those new to cooking.
What are possible variants or customizations for the chocolate tart inspired by Knam?
Different variants can be experimented with, such as adding chopped nuts or hazelnuts to the chocolate cream, a sprinkle of sea salt on the tart to contrast the sweetness, or decorating with fresh fruit for a touch of freshness. However, it is important to maintain the balance of flavors and respect the essence of the original recipe to achieve a result similar to Knam’s.
Where can I taste Knam’s chocolate tart?
Ernst Knam has his pastry shop in Milan, where he offers a wide range of gourmet desserts, including the famous chocolate tart. If you are in Milan or have the opportunity to visit his pastry shop, you can directly savor his delicious desserts, including the chocolate tart.
