Pumpkin Cheesecake & Chocolate Tart

View Instructions

Makes:

one 9-inch tart

Serves:

8 to 10

Category:

Desserts | Tarts

Introduction

About this Recipe

A chocolate ganache layer hides a silky pumpkin cheesecake filling within. The combination of pumpkin and chocolate may seem unexpected, but is really a divine and well-matched duo, especially when traditional pumpkin pie spices are mixed in.

NOTES: The tart can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Ingredients

Chocolate Crust:

1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup regular or Dutch process cocoa powder
4 tbsp packed light brown sugar
¼ tsp salt
6 tbsp cool unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 egg yolk
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Pumpkin Filling:

1 8-oz package cream cheese at room temperature
½ cup packed dark brown sugar
1 cup plain pumpkin purée
1 tbsp cornstarch
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cardamom
½ tsp ground ginger
1 whole egg
2 egg yolks

Ganache Topping:

2 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp corn syrup

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

Using a food processor or standup mixer !tted with the paddle attachment, blend the flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar and salt. Add the butter until the mixture is an even crumbly texture. In a small dish, whisk the egg yolk, milk and vanilla and pour it into the flour mixture, blending until the dough fully comes together. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap and chill it until firm, at least 1 hour.

Step 2

On a lightly floured work surface gently knead the chilled chocolate dough to soften slightly. Roll out the dough into a circle about 12-inches across and about ¼-inch thick. Line an ungreased 9-inch removable-bottom tart pan with the pastry and trim away any excess dough. Chill the tart shell for 30 minutes.

Step 3

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the chilled tart shell on a baking tray and dock the bottom of the pastry with a fork. Bake the tart shell for about 25 minutes, until the pastry has an even dull appearance. Cool the shell while preparing the filling.

Step 4

Using electric beaters of a food processor, or even by hand, combine the cream cheese and brown sugar until the brown sugar dissolves. Stir in the pumpkin, cornstarch, cinnamon, cardamom and ginger, then add the egg and egg yolks.

Step 5

Pour this into the cooked, cooled chocolate crust and bake the tart for about 20 minutes until, like a cheesecake, it is set around the outside with just a touch of a jiggle in the centre. Cool the tart to room temperature.

Step 6

For the ganache, melt the chocolate, butter and corn syrup in a bowl set over a pot of barely simmering water, stirring with a spatula until smooth. Pour this gently on the centre of the pumpkin cheesecake and spread it gently toward the outside, leaving an inch of the pumpkin visible at the edge. Chill the tart for at least 2 hours before slicing to serve.