Bria Helgerson was looking for something chocolatey with a little more oomph, and a little more depth. She found it in this tart.
Text And Photo By Bria Helgerson
Haven’t had enough chocolate and caramel yet? Don’t worry, you can eat the last of the salted chocolate covered caramels that you may be hoarding, because there is a new treat in town. I promised I would share an amazing, incredibly decadent tart with you, and I wouldn’t dream of letting you down.
It’s got chocolate and caramel (of course) but it also has bananas, and nutella, and hazelnuts. I personally don’t think it gets much better than that. I have made many chocolate tarts before, most of them fairly simple, and to be honest, a little boring. Don’t get me wrong, people love a chocolate crust, with chocolate filling, and chocolate topping (and if you want to get really crazy, served with chocolate ice cream), but I was looking for something with a little more oomph, and a little more depth. 
I found it in this tart. The crust and the chocolate ganache topping are fairly straight forward but what is hiding between is sublime and takes this tart to a whole new level. It’s an oozy, gooey, banana-caramel-nutella filling that just might make your knees weak. If that happens, just find a big comfy chair, sit yourself down, and dig in.
Chocolate-Banana-Caramel Tart
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 6-10 servings 1x
Description
This decadent tart combines a chocolate crust with a gooey banana-caramel-Nutella filling, topped with a rich chocolate ganache and crunchy hazelnuts.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 stick (1/2 cup, 1.18 dl) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (1.18 dl) powdered sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cup (3.55 dl) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (.6 dl) cocoa powder
Filling
- 1/2 cup (1.18 dl) granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup (.6 dl) nutella
- 2 bananas, peeled and mashed
Ganache Topping
- 1 cup (2.36 dl) dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup (1.18 dl) heavy cream
- 1/4 cup hazelnuts, roughly chopped
Instructions
Crust
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together just until thoroughly combined.
- Add the egg yolks one at a time, mixing until incorporated after each addition.
- Add the flour and the cocoa powder and mix just until combined, scraping the bowl down as needed.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and press gently into a ball. Shape into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll out to fit your tart pan, until it is about 1/4 – 3/8 inch thick.
- Carefully transfer the dough to your tart pan, and press gently to fit it into all the nooks and crannies. If it falls apart at all, it is okay, just piece it together and press it into the pan. Cut off any excess dough, and line the shell with parchment paper.
- Fill the paper with dry beans or pie weights and bake on the middle rack for 15-20 minutes. When it is completely cooked, remove the pie weights and parchment paper, and let cool completely.
Filling
- In a medium sized saucepan over high heat, bring the sugar and water up to a boil, and continue to boil until it turns a deep caramel color. Remove from the heat, and quickly and carefully add the cream and butter, and stir to combine. It is normal for it to bubble vigorously.
- Return the saucepan back to the stove and cook while stirring over low heat until it is smooth. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- Once it has cooled, stir in the nutella and the banana until smooth.
- Pour into prepared crust, and chill for at least 2 hours.
Ganache Topping
- Place the chocolate in a medium stainless or glass bowl.
- In a saucepan, bring the cream to a simmer, then remove from heat and pour over chocolate. Let sit for about 30 seconds, then stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until completely smooth.
- Let the ganache cool for a few minutes, and then pour over filled tart. Smooth quickly with an offset spatula and sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts.
- Chill until firm.
Notes
- For best results, use ripe bananas for a sweeter flavor.
- The tart can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Toasting the hazelnuts enhances their flavor and adds a delightful crunch.
- If you prefer a less sweet dessert, use a darker chocolate with a higher cocoa content.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 30
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 28
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 80
If You Liked This Recipe, You’ll Love These
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- Shiso Meyer Lemon Tart
- Easy Homemade Banana Loaf – The Ultimate Classic Recipe
- Classic Tarte Tatin with Rose-Infused Crème Fraîche
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the crust dough need an hour in the refrigerator before rolling?
The chocolate shortcrust is pressed into a disc, wrapped in plastic, and chilled for at least an hour so the butter firms back up and the gluten relaxes, making it easier to roll to the required 1/4 to 3/8 inch thickness without tearing. If it does fall apart during transfer, the recipe notes you can simply piece it back together and press it into the pan.
Why does the caramel mixture bubble so violently when you add cream?
The instructions note that vigorous bubbling is completely normal when you remove the caramelized sugar from the heat and quickly add the 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and butter — the cold liquid hits the extremely hot sugar and steams rapidly. Keep stirring and return the pan to low heat until it smooths out.
Should I use ripe or firm bananas for the filling?
The notes recommend ripe bananas for a sweeter flavor. Because the two mashed bananas are stirred directly into the cooled caramel along with the nutella, riper fruit blends more smoothly and adds natural sweetness that complements the bittersweet ganache topping.
Do I need to toast the hazelnuts?
The notes say toasting enhances the hazelnuts’ flavor and adds a delightful crunch before scattering the 1/4 cup of roughly chopped hazelnuts over the ganache topping. It is optional but recommended for the best result.
How long can this tart be stored?
The notes say the tart can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Because the filling needs at least 2 hours of chilling and the ganache needs to set firm, you can make it a day ahead, which makes it a good dinner-party dessert.
Oh my! This recipe looks fabulous. Now i know what to do with my bananas at home :) Very Nice!
This is soooo good!