Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Flourless Brownie Tart with Dark Chocolate Glaze and Whipped Coconut Cream


  • Author: Tessa
  • Total Time: 2 hours 5 mins
  • Yield: 12 rich slices 1x

Description

This dessert’s tagline is “easier than it looks”. If you have a few basic baking staples, whip it up for after a special dinner or an indulgent weeknight treat.


Ingredients

Scale

For brownie

  • 2 oz. (1/2 C) walnuts, whole or pieces
  • 5 T unsalted butter
  • 6 oz. bittersweet (or semisweet) chocolate
  • 1/2 C granulated sugar
  • 1/2 C lightly packed brown sugar (90 g)
  • 2 large eggs (let stand 30 min. at room temperature, if time permits)
  • 1 t vanilla extract

For glaze

  • 6 oz. bittersweet (or semisweet) chocolate
  • 1/3 C water
  • A pinch (1/16 t) sea salt
  • 6 T unsalted butter, cut into about 24 pieces
  • 1 T triple sec (optional)

For whipped cream and garnish

  • 2 cans full fat, unsweetened coconut milk (see notes)
  • 1 T sugar
  • 1/2 t vanilla
  • 1 t finely grated orange zest (optional; from approximately 1/2 orange)
  • Extra chocolate, chilled, for shaving

Instructions

  1. *IF MAKING COCONUT WHIPPED CREAM, refrigerate cans of coconut milk at least 6 to 8 hours first.*

Brownie

  1. Preheat oven to 350. Spread nuts on a rimmed baking sheet. Line a one piece 8 inch cake or tart pan with a single sheet of foil, leaving some overhang. Grease foil with 1 teaspoon of the butter.
  2. In a microwave safe bowl, combine 6 ounces chocolate and remaining butter and heat for 1 minute on high. Leave alone for 5 minutes, then heat another minute. Remove from microwave and stir until smooth and combined.
  3. Roast nuts about 10 minutes, stirring halfway through. Cool slightly, then transfer to a plastic freezer bag. Seal bag, pressing out air, then wrap the bag with a dish towel. Use a rolling pin or small, heavy pan to crush the nuts into small, but recognizable, pieces.
  4. Combine sugars, eggs, and vanilla in a medium mixing bowl with a whisk, until smooth. Add nuts and chocolate mixture and fold in with a rubber spatula until fully combined.
  5. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out slightly wet. Cool in pan on a wire rack to prevent cracks. When completely cool, lift brownie from pan by foil overhang. Use one hand to gently lift brownie and remove foil with other hand. Slide gently onto a serving plate or back into pan.

Glaze

  1. When brownie has cooled completely, coarsely chop chocolate and combine with water and salt in a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 90 seconds at 50% power, stirring halfway through. Stir again until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. A few pieces at a time, gently stir in butter until each addition is melted. This takes 5 to 10 minutes. If the chocolate cools so much that the butter will barely melt, microwave for 30 seconds at 50% power. After adding all the butter, stir until mixture is completely smooth. If using, stir in triple sec. Cool about 20 minutes (to about 90 degrees F), so the glaze is pourable but has thickened slightly.
  2. Pour 1/4 cup glaze over brownie, spreading evenly with the back of a spoon, almost to the edge. This layer will fill any cracks in the brownie, so it’s okay if crumbs appear in it. Refrigerate glazed brownie, uncovered, 10 minutes. Pour about 2/3 cup (or to desired thickness) of remaining glaze over the first layer, again spreading evenly with the back of a spoon. Allow to set at room temperature or more quickly in the refrigerator before serving. If making ahead, refrigerate the brownie, covering with plastic wrap after the glaze has set.

Whipped cream

  1. Best prepared immediately before serving. Chill a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer for 10 minutes. Turn refrigerated cans of coconut milk upside down and open from bottom. Pour off separated, semi-translucent liquid (reserve for smoothies). Scoop firm, white milk into chilled bowl. Beat with handheld electric mixer or the whisk attachment of your stand mixer until fluffy, about 5 minutes at 60 to 80% power. Add sugar, vanilla, and zest, and whip again until incorporated and sugar dissolves. To serve, pile all the cream onto the brownie (for a dramatic look), cut, and serve. Alternatively, if not serving all at once, scoop cream onto individual slices of brownie. Finish with finely shaved (on a microplane or cheese slicer) chocolate.

Notes

To make ahead, refrigerate cooled (and glazed, if you like) brownie. It’s tasty served cold, allowed to come to room temperature, or even warmed briefly.

There’s lots of buzz around the internet about which brands of coconut milk separate when refrigerated, thus enabling their use in this recipe. “Guar gum” as an ingredient supposedly prevents separation, but both cans I used contained it, and both separated and worked well in this recipe (Whole Foods organic and Native Forest organic). If in doubt, purchase a couple different brands, if available to you, and refrigerate them both, in case one doesn’t work.

Prep time for the brownie alone is 30 minutes or less.

The coconut cream is going on 5 days in my refrigerator now, and it’s still fluffy and ready to use.

Glaze from Joy of Cooking; whipped coconut cream inspired by Oh She Glows.

  • Prep Time: 1 hour 35 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Category: Dessert
  • Cuisine: Chocolate