Introduction

This Dark Chocolate Orange Tart is a luscious dessert that perfectly balances rich chocolate with bright citrus notes. With a crisp cocoa crust and a silky, orange-infused filling, it’s an elegant treat ideal for special occasions or anytime you want to impress.

Dark Chocolate Orange Tart Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
1 large egg yolk
2-3 tablespoons ice water
8 ounces dark chocolate (70% cocoa, chopped)
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 orange
Juice of 1 orange

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and mix with a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Stir in the egg yolk and add ice water one tablespoon at a time until a dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
Step 2: Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Then roll the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to fit a 9-inch tart pan. Press the dough into the pan, trim the edges, and prick the bottom with a fork. Bake for 15 minutes, then allow to cool slightly.
Step 3: In a heatproof bowl, combine chopped dark chocolate and heavy cream. Melt over a double boiler or microwave, stirring until smooth. In another bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir the melted chocolate into the egg mixture, then mix in vanilla extract, orange zest, and orange juice until well combined.
Step 4: Pour the chocolate filling into the pre-baked tart crust. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
Step 5: Let the tart cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Garnish with orange slices or chocolate shavings if desired and enjoy.

Tips & Variations

Use a tart pan with a removable bottom for easier slicing and serving.
For extra orange flavor, add a tablespoon of orange liqueur to the filling.
Substitute dark chocolate with semi-sweet chocolate if you prefer a less intense cocoa taste.
If you don’t have a pastry cutter, pulse the butter and dry ingredients in a food processor for a quick crust.

Storage

Store the tart covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s best enjoyed chilled, so keep it refrigerated until ready to serve. To reheat, let it come to room temperature or warm gently for a few minutes in a low oven, but be careful not to melt the filling.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the tart crust ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the crust dough and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before rolling and baking. Just keep it well wrapped to prevent drying out.

What if I don’t have fresh oranges?

You can use bottled orange juice and some grated orange zest if fresh oranges aren’t available, but fresh zest and juice provide the best flavor.

Dark Chocolate Orange Tart Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 52 reviews

This Dark Chocolate Orange Tart is a decadent dessert combining a rich, cocoa-infused tart crust with a luscious dark chocolate filling brightened by fresh orange zest and juice. The tart offers the perfect balance of deep chocolate flavor and citrus freshness, baked to a velvety smooth finish and served chilled for a sophisticated treat.

Author: zara
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: French
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

For the Tart Crust:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
1 large egg yolk
2–3 tablespoons ice water

For the Chocolate Filling:

8 ounces dark chocolate (70% cocoa, chopped)
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 orange
Juice of 1 orange

Instructions

Prepare the Tart Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the egg yolk and enough ice water (1 tablespoon at a time) to form a dough, being careful not to overmix. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to fit a 9-inch tart pan, press it into the pan, trim any excess, and prick the bottom with a fork. Bake for 15 minutes, then let cool slightly.
Prepare the Chocolate Filling: In a heatproof bowl, combine the chopped dark chocolate and heavy cream. Melt over a double boiler or microwave, stirring until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Stir the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, then add the vanilla extract, orange zest, and orange juice, mixing until well combined.
Assemble and Bake: Pour the chocolate filling into the pre-baked tart crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
Cool and Serve: Allow the tart to cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Garnish with orange slices or chocolate shavings if desired. Serve chilled and enjoy this decadent dessert!

Notes

Ensure the butter is cold for a flaky crust.
Do not overmix the dough to keep it tender.
Use a fork to prick the crust to prevent bubbling while baking.
The filling should remain slightly jiggly in the center when done to maintain a creamy texture.
Refrigeration helps the tart set and enhances flavor.

Keywords: dark chocolate tart, chocolate orange tart, chocolate dessert, orange zest dessert, baked tart, chocolate tart recipe