Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart

Let's go back in time. Let's go back to a very very long time ago when I first discovered food blogs were a thing thanks to a Facebook ad for Annie's Eats (now called Everyday Annie). I started hoarding recipes to try one day. As I added more blogs to read, that list grew. Even more so when I started blogging myself. Then, in 2012 (picture this: I was still in NY, not yet engaged, Obama was in the middle of his presidency. What a time), I laid eyes on this delightful gem on that same Annie's site: a chocolate peanut butter tart. Clearly so rich and delicious I had to save it. 

But then it took me like 7 years to actually make it. Isn't that sad? 

Fear not! This story has a happy ending because I did make it and it WAS so good! And, honestly, look how pretty that pb swirl is. I can't believe I was able to make it look that good (tasty food is my forte, pretty food: less so. We frequently joke I should be on Nailed It. I think I could legit win because at least my food would be edible lol). 

Let's break down each tasty layer: chocolate crust, peanut butter, chocolate ganache, more peanut butter swirled on top. Clearly, a winner.

{No Bake} Chocolate Hazelnut Tart--Chocmeister Review

I love Peanut Butter & Co. It is well documented. So when I heard they were coming out with chocolate hazelnut spreads...I nearly jumped up and down, I was so thrilled! And, lucky lucky me, they sent me a jar of their new Chocmeister Dark Chocolatey Hazelnut Spread to play with!

Before I tell you about all the deliciousness you are presently gazing upon, let me give you the 411 on Chocmeister Chocolatey Hazelnut Spreads. First of all they come in 2 varieties, milk and dark chocolate. And they're made with 25% LESS sugar and 50% MORE protein than the leading chocolate hazelnut spread brand. Which is pretty amazeballs. And, as someone who immediately tried some: it tastes even better! The hazelnut flavor really comes through and it's perfectly delicious. Just the thing to eat on toast, with fruit, or ya know...in a perfect no-bake tart.

It's summer. My favorite season. I love it. And it's hot-which I'm totally cool with but maybe we don't reeeeally want to use the oven if we don't have to, you know? That's why I wanted to make you guys a super decadent no-bake dessert. And the Chocmeister Dark Chocolatey Hazelnut Spread was so rich and had such a great hazelnut flavor that I knew I wanted to play that up. And I DID. This tart seriously just embodies chocolate and hazelnut-in every way.

First, we have a chocolate cookie + hazelnut no bake crust: tastiness. Then I made a ganache with the Chocmeister and heavy cream. And topped it with chopped hazelnuts. You chill the entire thing and it...is...just...perfect. The texture of the filling is so silky and perfect and the crust and hazelnuts give you a bit of crunch. So good. SO SO GOOD. 

Strawberry Tartlets-Joanne's Virtual Baby Shower!

You guyyyys!! IT'S A BABY SHOWER for Joanne of Eats Well With Others!!! You may remember when I participated in a virtual bridal shower for Joanne over a year ago (and also remember when she shared these ahhhmazing savory waffles with us before that?) so of course I had to be a part of the celebration for Joanne as she prepares to welcome her sweet little baby girl into this world!

Sooooo a bunch of Joanne's bestest bloggy friends are getting together for a spring themed baby shower--because Joanne is ALL about seasonal foods! I could not be more excited for her or about all the delicious spring eats that we're sharing with her and all of you today!

When I think about foods that are seasonal in spring (and...ok...summer) strawberries are always a favorite. Especially for my fella-he love love looooves any excuse to eat strawberries so I knew I needed to incorporate them into what I shared today. And, I don't know if it's too on the nose but...I love mini desserts for baby showers. Because...ya know...babies are mini. So I decided to break out my mini pie pans to make strawberry tartlets! (Admittedly...these are not that mini. But they're smaller than a full sized tart or pie sooo....they're mini? Mmkaaaay?)

For the crust I used a pâte brisée recipe--which is essentially a very firm and buttery tart dough. Michael said it was possibly his favorite part because it is sturdy and buttery and just faintly sweet (there is not sugar in the dough itself but I sprinkled some around the edges of the crust prior to baking). And then for the filling I made a cream cheese whipped cream-which has SUCH a lovely texture and is somehow both light and luscious, and has just a hint of that tangy cream cheese flavor. And then-of course-top the whole thing with beautiful red strawberries. Mmm mmmm mmmm!

Michael is obssessed. So shall you be-a must make for any baby shower, barbecue/family get-together, or just a warm spring afternoon. :)

Joanne, I hope you like these and your shower and I can't wait for you to have your little baby-nugget so I can oooh and ahhh over how cute she is!!

Be sure to check out the rest of the shower menu!

Orange Ginger Spritzer from The Lemon Bowl 

Asparagus and Pea Puff Pastry Tarts from Belly Full

Blood Orange Doughnuts from Cook Like a Champion

Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake Cups from Keep It Sweet Dessert

Meyer Lemon Soufflé from Blahnik Baker

Strawberry Tartlets from The Cooking Actress

New York-Style Rhubarb Crumb Cake from Warm Vanilla Sugar

Berry Fool Tarts from Bake or Break

Lemon Raspberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies from The Baker Chick

Mini Pineapple Upside-Down Cakes from Baker by Nature

Chocolate Truffle Tart

Um so...prepare for a million drool inducing photos.

Happy almost blogaversary The Cooking Actress, have some (sort of) cake.

You'll love it. It's chocolatey and rich and dense and fudgy and pretty much everything you love about life.

And added bonus?

The boyfriend likes it too

(because it's served cold, and thusly makes him like it. Because he doesn't like most desserts warm...

...including cookies.

I KNOW.

he's crazy)

Pretty much it's another one of those amazing flourless chocolate cake/tortes.

But for some reason this one seems super sophisticated and fancy.

Like...I could eat this while wearing evening attire under dim lighting with important people

...but I also could still eat it in bed, in my pj's, while watching TV.

It's a versatile cake.

I'm getting hungry looking at these photos again. 

I'm sad that we ate all of this. I miss it. *sigh*

But sorry, don't let me get you down! YOU can still have this cake and indulge in the velvety texture, sinful flavor, and bliss-inducing wonder that is this tart/cake/torte (or whatever it is).

Honestly...I'm not one of those people who makes pretty food. My food tastes delicious, but...it's rare when it is pretty. I'm unsure if it's a matter of my lack of patience or if it's a lack of talent, or perhaps I just am SO preoccupied with it tasting amazing, the appearance portion is just sorely neglected? Either way, it's a bit of a point of shame for me.

But this chocolate truffle tart is PRETTY. It is one of the pretties things I've ever made. I just gazed at it in wonder, so proud and so excited. Perhaps that's why there's so many photos. I am so pleased that I just wanna show off.

Plus..I mean...come on....chocolate.