Monday

chocolate & pretzels


as you're busy planning your thanksgiving menu, here's a little treat to make you drool! after thursday, when you need a break from all things pumpkin and turkey, try making this rich, salty, sweet dessert. this recipe is adapted from an old issue of Food & Wine magazine and we decided peanut butter was a perfect addition to the pretzel and chocolate combination.

check out the latest post in our mad props series here - a warm german scene with gold crackle plates, weisswurst and sauerkraut.

finally got to the new amsterdam market for the smorrebrod table 2010 and the rye bread project which was great! also got to meet fellow big leo food stylist Heidi Johannsen and taste some of her delicious and beautiful tea from Bellocq.

Chocolate Pretzel Tart
serves 8

1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups coarsely crushed pretzels
3/4 cup confectioner's sugar
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 egg
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
3/4 lb bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 tbs maldon sea salt for garnish
in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter with 3/4 cup pretzels and confectioner's sugar on low speed until creamy. beat in flour and eggs. add remaining 1/2 cup pretzels and mix, leaving some pieces intact. flatten the dough between two sheets of plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes.
preheat oven to 350 degrees F. roll out the dough between the sheets of plastic wrap to a 12-inch round. peel off the top sheet and invert dough over a 10-inch fluted tart pan with removable bottom. press the dough into the corners and patch any tears. trim the overhanging dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes. line the shell with parchment and pie weights or dried beans and bake 30 minutes. remove the parchment and bake 8-12 minutes more or until firm and set. let the shell cool completely. using a small offset spatula, spread the peanut butter into a thin even layer and refrigerate while making the chocolate filling.
in a medium saucepan, bring the cream to a simmer. turn off heat and add chocolate, let stand 5 minutes. whisk until completely smooth. let filling cool slightly before pouring into the shell and smoothing with spatula. sprinkle with sea salt and refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours.

27 comments:

Maris (In Good Taste) said...

holy yum. This sounds unbelievable!

My Little Expat Kitchen said...

Pretzels and chocolate?! That's interesting. I have to try it!
Magda

Pami said...

Una receta perfecta! Deliciosa tarta y fotos!
Saludos!

Joe said...

can i ask what size tart pan you used?

the purcells said...

10-inch tart pan (now written in the recipe) - thanks!

greenbeenfood said...

love a bit of salt with my chocolate - fabulous recipe!

Sophie said...

Wow! Looks incredible! Definately giving this one a go

Kimberley said...

That picture is perfect

CC11 said...

Holy moley that sounds delicious!

Anonymous said...

Ooooo I really want to make this!!!

Sally - My Custard Pie said...

Your pictures are just divine. Not sure about the combination (not a peanut butter fan) but can feast with my eyes.

Emma said...

Oh my, this looks good. That last piece is mine thanks! ;)

sara said...

who doesnt love a chocolate covered pretzel? In tart form, very classy.

the cookie jar said...

oh my goodness i am frothing at the mouth.

chocolate + peanut butter + pretzels brings tears to my eyes.

om nom nom

Unknown said...

I have a serious weakness for pretzel and chocolate. Salt and chocolate mmmm.
x
Nicole
http://nicolefranzen.blogspot.com/

Dana said...

That looks so great! And easy to put together. Do you use salted or unsalted pretzels?

Mina B. said...

I'm note sure what to say about this recipe until I've tried it, but the combination sounds pretty delectable. This could be the kind of thing that you say you're just going to try once and end up getting hooked for life... like a gateway dessert.

nuttypigeon said...

This looks absolutely delicious :o) I shall be giving it a go!

freakytortoise.blogspot.com

positive affirmation said...

thanks for this great post., and free recipe.., i want to try this.

Catherine said...

This pie will be part of our Christmas Eve spread. Thank you!

Renee said...

I made this recipe. If you make the crust without the weights, baking for 30 minutes (notwithstanding the extra 8-12 minutes more) is definitely too long. Fifteen minutes would have sufficed. Also, I like salt, but the tart was waaaay too salty for me. I had to throw most of it away...

Kristina Royle said...

I love cooking especially for Holiday seasons. I'd love to try this recipe this New Year as we'll invite Michael Geffrard to come over our house. He is a businessman who is also into baking and I wonder what his comment would be with this dessert. Thanks again for sharing!

Briana said...

Now that I've seen it, I can't believe I have never thought of pretzels as a pie crust. Awesome.

Lindsay said...

I just stumbled across your blog, really like it! This recipe look amazing and combines all things favorite! Thanks for sharing...I can't wait to try!

katie moroney said...

Amazing! Love this idea. Thanks for sharing. Just discovered your blog. I'll be back for sure!

Nicole said...

I made this using almond butter instead of peanut butter (I'm not a peanut fan) and it was divine. I love that sweet and salty contrast. Your photo is beautiful as well!

Salvador Dali said...

Hi! I'm form Poland and i have a little question..
Could you tell me, how many graam is 1 stick butter?
I would be very gratefull! :)