Chocolate pudding tart with strawberries

Chocolate Pudding and Strawberry Tart

Who can resist a chocolate pudding tart topped with fresh strawberries? This recipe is not just a visual delight, but also an explosion of flavors that will delight any dessert lover. The chocolate pudding and strawberry tart is perfect for any occasion – whether it’s a party, an anniversary, or simply a relaxing evening at home. Plus, it’s a quick dessert to prepare that will surely impress everyone.

Preparation time: 45 minutes
Baking time: 20-30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 15 minutes (including dough resting time)
Number of servings: 18 small tarts

Ingredients
For the dough (18 small tarts):
- 250 g flour
- 100 g powdered sugar
- 100 g butter (room temperature)
- 1 egg
- 6 tablespoons cold water
- 1 vanilla essence

For the dark chocolate pudding:
- 90 g dark chocolate
- 150 g sugar
- 6 tablespoons flour
- 1 egg
- 750 ml milk

For decoration:
- Fresh strawberries
- Chocolate hearts (can be bought or made at home)

Recipe Story
The tart is a dessert with a rich history, rooted in culinary traditions from around the world. This recipe combines the crunchy texture of the crust with the richness of chocolate pudding, resulting in a delicious contrast. The strawberries add a touch of freshness and color, transforming each tart into a true culinary work of art.

Step by Step
1. Preparing the dough
Start by preparing the dough, which will need time to cool and harden.
- In a large bowl, add 100 g of butter and 100 g of powdered sugar. Use a mixer or spatula to combine them until they become a smooth cream. This step is important as the butter needs to be well integrated to achieve a soft and savory texture.
- Add 1 egg and continue mixing, then incorporate 6 tablespoons of cold water and the vanilla essence. Mix everything until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.
- Gradually add 250 g of flour. It is essential to mix on low speed to prevent lumps from forming. The resulting dough will be soft and sticky.
- Wrap the dough in cling film and leave it in the fridge for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight. This step helps the dough become easier to handle.

2. Baking the crust
The next day, take the dough out of the fridge:
- Sprinkle flour on the work surface and gently knead the dough until it becomes firmer and no longer sticks to your hands.
- Roll the dough into a thin sheet, making sure it is no thicker than 3 mm to achieve a crunchy crust.
- Use a cutter or a glass to cut out tart shapes. Place each piece of dough into the tart molds and prick the bottom with a fork. This step will prevent the dough from puffing up during baking.

Bake the tarts in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 20-30 minutes. Be careful not to leave them too long, as they can harden and become crumbly.

3. Preparing the chocolate pudding
Meanwhile, you can prepare the chocolate pudding:
- In a bowl, mix 6 tablespoons of flour with 150 g of sugar and 1 egg. Add 2 tablespoons of cold milk to form a homogeneous paste.
- Over low heat, in a bain-marie, melt 90 g of dark chocolate together with 750 ml of milk, stirring constantly.
- Once the chocolate has melted, add the flour and egg mixture, stirring continuously until it thickens. This is the key to a smooth and velvety pudding.

4. Assembling the tarts
Once the crusts are baked and cooled:
- Fill each tart with the chocolate pudding. Allow them to cool completely to set.
- Decorate with sliced fresh strawberries and chocolate hearts. If you choose to make the hearts at home, melt the dark chocolate and pour it into silicone molds. Leave them in the fridge until hardened.

Serving Suggestions
These chocolate pudding and strawberry tarts pair perfectly with a glass of champagne or a cup of freshly brewed coffee. You can also serve alongside a caramel sauce or vanilla ice cream for a delicious contrast of temperatures.

Nutritional Benefits
- Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, helping to strengthen the immune system.
- Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, which can reduce inflammation and improve heart health, but consumption should be moderate due to sugar and calorie content.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use another type of chocolate?
Of course! You can experiment with milk chocolate or white chocolate. Each variant will offer a different taste, so don’t hesitate to try.

How can I store the tarts?
The tarts store well in the fridge, covered with cling film. I recommend consuming them within 2-3 days to enjoy the crunchy texture of the crust.

Variations
To add a touch of creativity, you can replace strawberries with other seasonal fruits, such as raspberries or blueberries. You can also add a hint of coffee to the pudding for a more intense flavor.

Conclusion
Chocolate pudding and strawberry tarts are an elegant, easy-to-make dessert full of flavors that will bring a smile to anyone’s face. With every bite, you will feel a perfect combination of the sweetness of chocolate and the freshness of strawberries, turning every meal into a celebration. Don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends so they can enjoy this delight too!