Chocolate and Coffee Macaroon Tart

, from Issue #53. September, 2015
Photography by Manja Wachsmuth.
Chocolate and Coffee Macaroon Tart

The coconut base of this tart makes a lovely change from pastry. Topped with a silky smooth chocolate mousse it can be served unadorned or dressed up with extra slivers of chocolate.

Serves: 8-12

INGREDIENTS

2 egg whites
¼ cup caster sugar
50 grams hazelnuts, finely ground
¾ cup desiccated coconut
¾ cup icing sugar, sifted
½ teaspoon ground ginger

Chocolate mousse
½ cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
pinch sea salt
200 grams dark chocolate, 62% cocoa, finely chopped
50 grams butter, diced
1 tablespoon liqueur (I used a coffee liqueur)
¾ cup cream, softly whipped

To assemble
50 grams dark chocolate, shaved with a sharp knife (optional)

24 cm springform cake tin, greased and base and sides lined with baking paper

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 170°C.

Whisk the egg whites and caster sugar until thick and glossy. Combine the hazelnuts, coconut, icing sugar and ginger then fold into the egg whites. Spoon into the tin and smooth the top.

Bake for 20 minutes until firm to the touch and a pale golden. Cool completely.

Mousse: Put the water, vanilla, sugar, oil and salt in a small saucepan and bring to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and immediately add the chocolate and butter. Leave for 1 minute then whisk until smooth and shiny. Stir in the liqueur then tip into a large bowl and leave to cool. Fold in half of the cream then gently but thoroughly fold in the remaining cream, stopping as soon as it is combined. Don’t over mix or the chocolate will go grainy.

Pour the mousse over the base and very gently shake the tin to settle it in an even layer. Decorate the edges with extra shaved chocolate if desired then chill for several hours until firm.

To serve: Remove the sides of the tin and carefully peel off the baking paper. Remove the tart from the base and transfer to a serving plate. Serve well chilled straight from the refrigerator.