Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Tart with Salted Caramel

Servings: 8 | 0 minutes | 500 kcal

This recipe was inspired by the classic chocolate tart found in French patisseries, but with a modern, vegan twist. The inclusion of hazelnuts is a nod to the popularity of these nuts in European desserts, while the salted caramel element adds an American touch.

I once prepared this tart for a dinner party where a few of my guests were vegan. The flavors were so rich and well-balanced, even the non-vegan guests were asking for seconds. It just goes to show, you don't need dairy or eggs to make a killer dessert!

Ingredients

200 grams hazelnuts
200 grams dark chocolate
1 cups coconut milk
4 teaspoons maple syrup
1 teaspoons sea salt
12 pieces dates
2 teaspoons coconut oil
1 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit).
To prepare the crust, blend the hazelnuts in a food processor until they are finely ground. Add in the dates, a pinch of salt, and a teaspoon of coconut oil, and keep blending until the mixture sticks together.
Press this mixture into the base of a tart tin, ensuring it' evenly spread. Place this in the oven for approximately 10 minutes, until it' lightly toasted.
In the meantime, prepare your filling. Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, making sure the water doesn't touch the bowl.
Once the chocolate has melted, stir in the coconut milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Continue to stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Pour this filling over your prepared crust, smoothing it out with a spatula. Place the tart back into the oven for around 20 minutes.
While the tart is baking, prepare your salted caramel. Combine the remaining coconut oil, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the mixture becomes a golden caramel color.
Once your tart is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool. Drizzle your salted caramel over the top, sprinkle some crushed hazelnuts for garnish, and your Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Tart with Salted Caramel is ready to be served!