I think most of you can relate to me when I say ahhhh chocolate. There has never been a time in my life when I wasn’t deeply and passionately in love with it. The flavor, the appearance, the versatility, there’s really nothing else like it in the food world. Lately I’ve been on a bit of a chocolate kick, stocking the kitchen with a few bars of dark chocolate and finding that it’s not nearly enough over a two-day period. So, I decided to go all-out with this tart and created a rich, chocolate mousse tart baked inside well-seasoned Finex cast iron skillets. I made three tarts but adjusted the recipe below to work for one (8-inch) cast iron skillet.
But back to the tarts, the advantage of cooking them in cast iron is that the crust absorbs all the flavors from the seasonings (aka delicious oils and fats) that have seeped into the pan over its use, creating an incredibly flavorful crust that you cannot replicate in a ceramic or plain aluminum tart pan. Plus, the depth of the cast iron skillet allows you to make the tart a bit deeper, which means more chocolate goodness to fill your deep-dish tart with. The result is an absurdly flavorful dessert that’s packed with fluffy chocolate filling and surrounded by a rich, buttery, flakey crust. A definite win at the dessert table.
I used Finex‘s adorable new 8″ cast iron skillet for these tarts, which allowed for me to make a few of them because of their convenient smaller size. I love the idea of making individual-sized dishes in each one, whether it be chili verde, paella, quiche, or a simple casserole, being able to set each one down on a table looks incredible and also ensures each person’s serving is equally cooked, rather than one person getting the crispy corner piece and another getting the soft center. It’s also great for smaller families like my husband and myself who don’t need a very large pan to cook in. And in generous holiday fashion, the kind folks over at Finex have offered to giveaway one of their new skillets to one of you, huzzah!!! To enter, use the rafflecopter widget below. Best of luck, everyone!!
Cast Iron Deep Dish Chocolate Pecan Tart
This rich and decadent chocolate dessert can be made in cast iron skillets or in smaller tart pans. The cast iron skillet option results in a slightly crisper crust, and a little bit more flavor especially if you're skillet is well-seasoned. Makes one 8-inch tart.
Ingredients
Pecan Crust
- 1 1/3 cups flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
- 2 tablespoons corn meal
- 1/2 teaspoon flake kosher sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter very cold
- 1 egg whisked
Chocolate Pecan Filling
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate
- 1 egg
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon flake kosher sea salt
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans plus extra for garnish
Chocolate Glaze
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 ounces semisweet chocolate
- 1 1/2 teaspoons honey
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel optional garnish
Instructions
Pecan Crust
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and have a 8-inch seasoned cast iron skillet handy.
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Mix together the flour, powdered sugar, pecans, cornmeal, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl until blended. Cut the butter into pea-sized pieces over the bowl, stir to coat the pieces in the flour mixture. Use a dough scraper or pastry cutter to chop at the mixture in the bowl to cut the butter into even smaller pieces.
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Empty the mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix at medium-low speed until it is just incorporated, taking care not to overwork the dough.
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Roll out the dough on a lightly floured piece of parchment paper until it is ¼ inch thick. Flip the sheet over onto the cast iron skillet and peel the parchment sheet off, leaving the dough on the skillet.
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Press the dough into the skillet and trim excess dough to form the crust to the pan. Poke the crust in several places with a fork to keep bubbles from forming.
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Grease a sheet of aluminum foil and press the greased side snugly onto the crust. Place the skillet in the oven and bake the crust for 15 minutes, then remove and allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing the aluminum foil sheet from the crust. Poke any bubbles that may have started to form with a fork. Set aside.
Chocolate Pecan Filling
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Whisk together the egg, vanilla extract, and salt in a small bowl and then set aside. Bring the cream to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Pour the cream over the chocolate in a large bowl and stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Stir in the egg mixture until completely incorporated. Stir in the pecans.
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Pour the filling into the crust and bake until the edges are set but the center is still jiggly, about 20-30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely while you prepare the glaze.
Chocolate Glaze
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For the glaze, melt the butter in the cream in a small saucepan over low heat until the cream comes to a boil. Remove the pot from heat and add the chocolate, stirring until it is completely melted. Add the honey and stir until incorporated, then add the water and stir until smooth.
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Pour the glaze over the tart and use a spatula to smooth it over the entire baked filling surface. Sprinkle the top with a pinch of crushed pecans and fleur de del for garnish. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
This looks perfect- so chocolaty and delicious!!
Honestly, I've never cooked anything in a cast iron! I would love to try though, especially some breakfast foods!
I love making cornbread in a cast iron. I had no idea that you could even do it! Once I figured it out, its the only way I'll ever make it 🙂
I love cooking everything in cast iron! I haven't made anything sweet in cast iron yet though.
I'm just starting to use cast iron more and more – I'm going to make this for myself for my birthday! What if I only have a 10-in skillet? Should I scale the recipe at all?
Ah, chocolate. There really isn't anything else like it. This tart looks awesome, and I love that you bake it in a cast iron! I try to bake in cast iron whenever I can. The texture & flavor is unbeatable.
I have never made anything with cast iron before, but I just recently got into cooking, so it would be nice to try this out!
Looks decadent and delicious!
These are beautiful! I've still never used my cast iron pan for pies/tarts or any kind of dessert, but that's also because it's 12", so it'd be way too big… I like to use it for frittatas and fried eggs.
I love baking cornbread in my cast iron pan.
Woooow. This looks delicious!
this looks so wonderful!!!
I stand by meat & potato sorts of dishes in my cast iron. I'm a little nervous to branch out into desserts with it
I love using cast iron.
I love using cast iron to cook steaks… or a giant cookie 😉
I mostly use cast iron for camping, but have been meaning to use it in the kitchen more!
My first cast-iron recipe would be cornbread! Start easy.. then make this 🙂
i cook everything in cast iron… great giveaway!
Cornbread usually, but I would love to expand out and try other recipes with cast iron.
Grilled cheese!
cornbread
Wow! I am drooling right now…so much chocolate. The skillets sound great too 🙂
What a beauty! I've never seen a tart quite like this before. Mmm.
Those look delicious!
This looks amazing! I want to make one tonight!
My husband has mastered pancakes on a cast iron skillet, but I'd love to make a deep dish chocolate chip cookie in this pan!
This looks so delicious. I have been craving a chocolate cream pie for a little while, but this would be even better.
Holy crackers, I want a slice.
This is literally just gorgeous. The skillets, the recipe, the photos; all beautiful. And I honestly think that everything tastes better out of a skillet, sort of like coffee always tastes the best out of your favorite mug. But I especially love big deep dish cookies (who doesn't??).
Love making self-saucing chocolate cakes
I've wanted a Finex octogonal skillet ever since you started posting about them. They are gorgeous! I mostly cook bread in my cast iron combo cooker, but I also like to make pies and cakes in cast iron.
cornbread and brownies such a great crust
This tart will most certainly be my favorite thing to cook in cast iron!
Quiche .
I've never cooked with cast iron! But I think I would try brownies first. 🙂
Skillet cookies!
I love cooking meats in the cast iron skillet. I've never tried a sweet dish in one though…can't wait to try your recipe!
That would be for sure nice medium-rare steak!
Leslie:
I like cornbread in a cast iron skillet.
leslieannstevenson@yahoo.com
I actually don't own a cast iron skillet so I've never used one. But, if I did (win), the first thing I would make cornbread 🙂
Confession: I have never actually cooked in cast iron :O
I know, blasphemy… but this is too stinkin cute!
And the fact that you said huzzah just made my day.
Cornbread!
I know it's not very exciting, but I love my morning eggs cooked in cast iron!
Cornbread is my favorite thing to cook.
I love making cornbread in the cast iron skillet!
Cornbread and bacon!
i have a bread recipe that i love to make in my deep sided cast iron frying pan
I would love to compare a Finex to my vintage Wagners and Griswolds.
It looks delicious. I would love to taste it. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
End of tenancy cleaning Bromley
pork tenderloin! searing perfection. 🙂
I love cooking my steaks in cast iron. Perfection every time.
Looks delicious. My cast iron pans were ruined when I moved back to the U.S. from Kenya. This makes me realize that I should replace them. I love the shape of yours. I've only seen them in round.
Chocolate brownies are my favorite to cook in cast iron. You just 'have' to eat more because you dig 'em out with a spoon. =]
My favourite thing to cook in cast-iron pan: bacon!!
I like to make pancakes and french toast with cast iron.
I love baking cornbread in a skillet, comes out with a crisp crust and tender crumb!
I always adore your pictures, and everything I've made from your site is amazing… can't wait to try these!!!
I've never owned or used a cast iron skillet before! I'd love to make this and a plum tart.
I love that the crust takes on some of the octagonal shape of the skillet! Those are beautiful cast irons!
I'm just getting started with cast iron, but so far my favorite recipe is for Portuguese Baked Eggs.http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/portuguese-baked-eggs
MMmmmmm cornbread in a cast iron skillet is magic
My favorite thing to cook in it is cornbread – shaunie
I love making bread us by Jim lahey's method in a cast iron dutch oven!
I lust so very deeply after those dishes AND that skillet…
I love to cook a ribeye in cast iron.
Seriously beautiful photos!
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