Dark Chocolate Pecan Tart

Chocolate pecan tart is a holiday classic that makes the perfect Thanksgiving dessert! Rich and indulgent, the chocolate lovers in your family will appreciate this decadent twist on classic pecan pie. Each bite tastes like a cross between fudgy brownies and gooey pecan bars! Recipe yields one 9-inch tart.

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Calling all chocolate lovers: this ultra-decadent double chocolate pecan tart is for you! So much easier than pie, this homemade tart features a press-in chocolate wafer crust and rich chocolate filling that’s sweetened with brown sugar and maple syrup.

Bittersweet chocolate chips (I use Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips) melt easily and add rich chocolate flavor to the brownie-like chocolate pecan filing. You can also use a bittersweet chocolate baking bar for the filling (chop it up well with a serrated knife).

Top the baked tart with dollops of vanilla whipped cream and chocolate shavings, and prepare to enjoy every last bite!

Craving more pecan pie? Try my mini pecan tartlets next!

How to Make Chocolate Pecan Tart

Crust – To make the chocolate wafer crust, combine chocolate wafer cookies, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse to fine crumbs. Add melted butter and pulse until incorporated.

Transfer to a 9-inch removable-bottom tart pan and press the crust mixture tightly and firmly across the bottom and up the sides of the tart pan. Place tart pan on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet and bake the crust 11 to 12 minutes, until almost set. Set aside to cool slightly while making the filling.

Filling – For the chocolate filling, combine bittersweet chocolate chips and unsalted butter in a double boiler. Slowly melt the butter and chocolate, stirring until smooth and glossy.

Remove the melted chocolate from the heat and whisk in sifted cocoa powder, brown sugar, and maple syrup. Whisk in eggs and vanilla until smooth, then fold in chopped pecans. Pour the filling into the tart shell.

Topping – Smooth the tart filling with an offset spatula, then top with bittersweet chocolate chips (or semisweet chocolate chips) and crunchy pecan halves.

Bake – Return tart pan to the oven and bake for 28 to 30 minutes, until the tart is set and a tester inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs. Carefully remove the tart from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely.

Vanilla Whipped Cream – Whip heavy cream and powdered sugar in a chilled mixer bowl until cream begins to thicken. Add vanilla and whip the cream on medium-high speed until medium peaks form. Use immediately, or place the mixer bowl in the refrigerator and keep chilled until ready to use. The whipped cream can be made several hours in advance.

Serve – Slice the tart into wedges and serve topped with vanilla whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Make Ahead Tips

This chocolate pecan tart can be made 1-2 days in advance, so it’s perfect for the Thanksgiving meal. Once the tart is completely cool, loosely over with foil and place in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature or rewarm at 325°F for 15 minutes before serving.

Tips to Freeze

To freeze this chocolate pecan tart, simply bake the tart as directed and cool completely. For stability, I recommend freezing the baked tart in the tart pan.

Once fully cooled, wrap the tart and pan in plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. Place in a large freezer bag and freeze up to 2 months. The day before you plan to serve, thaw the tart overnight in the refrigerator (still wrapped to prevent condensation). Bring to room temperature or rewarm at 325°F for 15 minutes before serving.

Did you try this Chocolate Pecan Tart Recipe? Let me know by leaving a comment and rating below!

Fudgy Dark Chocolate Pecan Tart

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• Author: Laura Kasavan
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 42 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
• Yield: 1 9-inch tart
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Bake
• Cuisine: American

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Description

Chocolate pecan tart makes the BEST fall dessert! This double chocolate twist on classic pecan pie features a chocolate crust and filling. Each bite tastes like a cross between fudgy brownies and gooey pecan bars!

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Ingredients

Crust

• 9 oz (255 g) chocolate wafer cookies
• 2 Tbsp (25 g) granulated sugar
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 6 Tbsp (84 g) unsalted butter, melted

Filling

• 1/4 cup (56 g) unsalted butter, cubed
• 5 oz (142 g) bittersweet chocolate chips
• 1 Tbsp (6 g) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
• 2/3 cup (112 g) packed light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup (108 g) pure maple syrup, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs (100 g) at room temperature
• 2 tsp (8 g) vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp (1.5 g) salt
• 1/2 cup (56 g) pecans, chopped

Topping

• pecan halves
• bittersweet chocolate chips

Vanilla Whipped Cream

• 1 cup (240 g) cold heavy cream
• 3 Tbsp (22 g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp (4 g) vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with foil.
2. Make crust: Combine chocolate wafer cookies, sugar, and salt in a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs. Add melted butter and pulse until incorporated. Press mixture tightly into bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch round removable-bottom tart pan. Place tart pan on prepared baking sheet.
3. Bake crust for 11 to 12 minutes, until fragrant and almost set. Place baking sheet with tart pan on a wire rack and set aside to cool slightly while making the filling.
4. Make filling: Combine butter and bittersweet chocolate chips in a double boiler or in a heat-proof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Gradually melt the butter and chocolate, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
5. Remove chocolate mixture from the heat and whisk in cocoa powder, brown sugar, and maple syrup until smooth. Whisk in eggs one at a time, until combined. Whisk in vanilla and salt. Fold in chopped pecans.
6. Assemble tart: Pour filling into the tart shell. Top with pecan halves and bittersweet chocolate chips.
7. Bake tart for 28 to 30 minutes, until the tart is set and a tester inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Make whipped cream: Pour heavy cream into a chilled mixer bowl fitted with wire whip attachment. Add powdered sugar and whip on medium speed until cream begins to thicken. Add vanilla and whip the cream on medium-high speed until medium peaks form.
9. Serve tart topped with vanilla whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Store leftover tart in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

Notes

Make ahead: This chocolate pecan tart can be made 1-2 days in advance. Once the tart is completely cool, loosely over with foil and place in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature or rewarm at 325°F for 15 minutes before serving.

Freeze tart: Bake the tart as directed and cool completely. Wrap the tart and pan in plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. Place in a large freezer bag and freeze up to 2 months. The day before you plan to serve, thaw the tart overnight in the refrigerator (still wrapped to prevent condensation). Bring to room temperature or rewarm at 325°F for 15 minutes before serving.