Chocolate banana cream tart

I’ve been in a little bit of baking (and blogging) rut. Maybe you noticed. I love to blog, but sometimes my baking just doesn’t turn out like I wanted and then the posts I had planed to write never happen. Like the lemon raspberry muffins I made with a friend that I burned. Or the cookies I made the other night that I added way too much butter to because I couldn’t do math properly. Those cookies weren’t very good.

But you know what is good? This chocolate banana cream tart. It turned out just fine.

Chocolate banana cream tart

I woke up yesterday to a day with no plans (I love that) and I vowed to get back on track. First was the pate sablee, or sweet tart dough, and that came together almost without a hitch. Then there was the delicious banana pastry cream, and the chocolate ganache, the sliced bananas, and finally the sweetened whipped cream. All of the pieces were assembled and when I put them together something almost magical happened.

Chocolate banana cream tart, sliced

It was delicious.

I have a love-hate relationship with bananas. Sometimes I love them, sometimes I hate them. I absolutely loved them in this tart. I was transported back in time to childhood family gatherings where banana cream pie was abundant. This version is slightly more sophisticated thanks to the chocolate ganache but it still harks back to its earlier predecessors. The flavors are simple, but the chocolate together with the creamy banana filling was meant to be.

Chocolate banana cream tart, slice

This chocolate banana cream tart made me happy. I’m back in the game, and it feels (and tastes) very good.

Chocolate banana cream tart, bite

Chocolate Banana Cream Tart

Servings: 10 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients
 

For the sweet tart dough:

  • 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 9 tablespoons unsalted butter , cold and cut into cubes
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

For the banana pastry cream:

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 5 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 small banana
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the chocolate ganache:

  • 4 oz bittersweet chocolate , chopped
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream

For assembly:

  • 1 banana , sliced
  • cup sweetened whipped cream

Instructions
 

To make the tart dough:

  • Butter a nine inch tart pan and preheat oven to 375° F.
  • Combine the flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a food processor. Add the butter and pulse until the size of small peas. Add the egg yolk and whipping cream and pulse until the dough just starts to come together. Pour out into the greased tart pan and carefully press it into the pan. Chill for 15 minutes in the freezer.
  • Bake it for 20-30 minutes until lightly browned. I lined my shells with pie weights and took them off for the last 5 minutes of baking to get a good color. Cool on a wire rack completely.

To make the pastry cream:

  • Heat the ¾ cup milk and 3 tablespoons of sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Meanwhile, whisk together the egg yolks and remaining butter in a separate bowl. Whisk together the cornstarch and remaining ¼ cup milk together and add to the egg mixture. When the milk starts to bubble at the edges, remove from heat and add in a slow steady stream to the egg mixture.
  • Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly. When the custard is thick, remove from heat and add the vanilla.
  • Mash together the lemon juice and banana. If the banana isn't soft enough, pulse it in a food processor. You want a smooth, lump-free mixture. Fold into the pastry cream. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

To make the ganache:

  • Heat the heavy whipping cream over medium heat until bubbles appear at the edges. Pour over the chocolate in a medium bowl and let sit for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth.

To assemble the tart:

  • Remove the crust from the tart pan. Spread ganache over the bottom of the crust. Slice the bananas and cover the chocolate in concentric circles. Dollop the banana pastry cream over the bananas and spread to cover. Top with sweetened whipped cream. Chill for 15 minutes and serve. Store in the fridge.
Calories: 412kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Cholesterol: 136mg, Sodium: 82mg, Potassium: 229mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin A: 760IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 69mg, Iron: 2mg
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
Author: Annalise
Have you tried this recipe?I’d love to hear about it! Leave a rating and review below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram @completelydelicious with #completelydelicious.