Ingredients
SERVES 8
FOR THE CHOCOLATE PASTRY:
175g (6oz) plain flour
15g (1/2oz) cocoa powder
50g (2oz) caster sugar
100g (4oz) butter, diced
2 egg yolks
FOR THE FILLING:
250ml (8fl oz) double cream
125ml (4fl oz) semi skimmed milk
150g (5oz) dark chocolate, broken into pieces
2 medium eggs
65g (21/2oz) caster sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
175g (6oz) pack fresh raspberries
Extra raspberries and a little sifted cocoa powder to decorate
METHOD
Step 1
To make the pastry, sift the flour and cocoa into a bowl, add the sugar and the butter and rub the butter in with fingertips or an electric mixer until it resembles fine crumbs.
Step 2
Stir in the egg yolks and gradually bring the crumbs together, squeezing with fingertips, and bring them together to form a ball. Add a little cold water if needed.
Step 3
Knead the pastry lightly and roll out thinly on a lightly floured surface. Lift the pastry over a rolling pin and then drape into a 24cm (9½ in) fluted fan tin that is 2.5cm (1in) deep. Ease the pastry into the flan tin, pressing into the flutes. Trim the pastry a little above the top of the tin with scissors to allow for shrinkage during baking. Prick the base with a fork and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Step 4
Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas Mark 5. Transfer the chilled tart tin into a baking sheet, line the pastry case with a large square of no-stick baking paper and fill with baking beans. Cook for 10 minutes. Carefully lift the paper and beans out of the pastry case and cook for 5-10 more minutes until the base is crisp.
Step 5
Meanwhile make the filling – pour the cream and milk into a saucepan, bring just to the boil, take the pan off the heat and add the chocolate. Leave for five minutes until melted. Whisk the eggs, sugar and vanilla together in a bowl until smooth and gradually whisk in the warm chocolate milk.
Step 6
Sprinkle the raspberries over the base of the warm pastry case. Strain the warm chocolate cream into the tart case and cook in the oven reduced to 160°C/325°F/Gas Mark 3 for 25-30 minutes or until just set with a slight wobble in the centre. Leave to cool at room temperature for at 1-1½hours. The tart can be made in advance and chilled in the fridge but the filling will be much firmer when sliced.
Step 7
When ready to serve, remove the tin and transfer tart to a serving place. Sprinkle a few extra raspberries over the top and decorate with a little sifted cocoa. Cut into slices to serve.
