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Monday, June 6, 2011

Cherry, Dark Chocolate, Almond and Amaretto Cheesecake Tart


We have been having some crazy weather lately; I don't think it's ever rained for Graduation ceremonies before.  So if this is the end of the world I recommend having dessert now and probably again in a few hours.  Look if I'm going out I'm going out with a piece of this tart and a fork in my hand.  Okay, I don't even need the fork.

I brought this Cherry, Dark Chocolate, Almond and Amaretto Cheesecake Tart to a blogger brunch I went to recently.  I was crossing my fingers it was a hit.  

First thing you will want to make is the crust.

Almond Crust
2/3 cup almond meal
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
10 tbsp. cold butter, cut into 1/2" cubes
1 egg yolk

Combine almond meal, sugar, flour, butter and egg yolk in a food processor.  Pulse until clumps start to form, and the mixture is starting to stick together, you don't want it to form a ball.  Less than one minute should be enough time.

Note:  If you can't find almond meal, you can just grind up almonds in your food processor.

Pour the crumbly mixture onto a greased 11-inch tart pan with removable bottom.  Press crumbs evenly up the sides and across the bottom.  Prick the bottom of the crust with a fork.

Place tart pan on a baking sheet and bake in 325 degree F oven for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned. Let cool.


Next you will make a chocolate ganache to pour onto the cooled crust.

Chocolate Ganache
180 grams dark chocolate
2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature

Finely chop the chocolate and place in a bowl.  Heat cream in small pan until it comes to a boil.  Pour hot cream over chocolate and whisk until smooth.  Once smooth add butter and continue whisking until completely smooth.

Pour into crust.

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42 comments:

  1. Ooooh Yeah!!! I was just getting ready to log off and this popped up! Can I move in with you?
    I'm living vicariously through all your gorgeous photo's and this just looks too good!!!
    (((sigh))) Do I have to tell you that I WILL make this?! As soon as I stoppe starring aimlessly! :) xoxo

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  2. I meant 'stop staring' LOL...but I guess I couldn't see straight after gawking at that luscious tart!

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  3. Looks delicious! The pics are mouth-watering.

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  4. Oh my goodness...there isn't a thing here not to love! Chocolate, amaretto, cherries, almonds...yes, please!!
    Gorgeous tart!

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  5. Well, you don't have to worry about the rain being the end of the world because the rainbow promises there won't ever be a flood like that again. ;)

    That cheesecake is amazing. Seriously so. B.B. was right in asking you to share the recipe. Thanks for agreeing!

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  6. This is a fantastic creation! I love anything with dark chocolate and cherries, but everything else puts it right over the top :)

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  7. yummy looks so inviting..
    i'm chocoholic....thnX for posting :)
    Happy Blogging!!!!
    Food Blog News Daily
    Good Food Recipes

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  8. Wow, what a beautiful cheesecake tart! What I wouldn't give for a piece of it!!!

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  9. Awesome post! It's really helpful for me. Thanks a lot for sharing.

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  10. Oh Gina, I'm reliving the experience of enjoying a piece of your lovely tart;-) I just love the look of the red cherries in the chocolate ganache hot tub, just gorgeous and so so delicious;-)ps. pass the whipped cream please;-)

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  11. I've been craving cheesecake and tarts lately. And now I discover that this is what you brought to the brunch I missed...sigh....can I come over and have a slice?

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  12. Gina-This Cherry tart is so super amazing...and yes, I am staring at all the step-by-step directions as well, and not just the chocolate and fresh cherry goodnes. You should have stopped right there, but oh no!!!
    Having us all salivating for more, with the whipped cream, and cheese topping with the Amaretto?...I think I'm going to faint right now...can't keep on staring!!!
    I seriously want to make this, and so appreciate you're sharing it with us.
    Lots of hugs to you just for that:DDD

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  13. Your cherry tart is amazing, with all of that choclate and whipped cream and cheese cake with the cherries, On My! do you have a cherry pitter, or do you now have red hands? Cherries do that you know:)

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  14. I would eat a large slab of this...without an ounce of guilt! Fruit negates the calories in chocolate, haven't you heard?!?!? Well done, Gina!

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  15. Looks delicious! Such a pretty tart! We are having super hot and humid weather this week, almost makes me want a little rain.

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  16. Gina - this was a winning tart! Thank you for sharing the recipe and it seems SO easy to make. I am so happy that I think we are finally done with the rain. Yeah!

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  17. I drooled over this on facebook & I'm still drooling over this... you've outdone yourself with this tart. It is picture perfect and you make it sound so easy! Thank you for sharing :)

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  18. Hi Gina! It's a gorgeous tart!! If I have way too many cherries from this weekend's cherry picking.... I should consider making this tart. Only problem is that I have never made a tart. Grrrrrrr.... See, I really need your baking 101... ;-)

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  19. By your description and photos, that this tart has a delicious blend of flavors and textures. I like the idea of a cheesecake tart (not as large as regular cheesecake)-thanks for posting.

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  20. The tart looks gorgeous! Beautiful colour and your photos are as beautiful as the tart!

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  21. Wow, great looking tart and very nice pictures! A pleasure to start following your awesome blog!!

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  22. This was so good. If you're GF or just not into crust, I am convinced this would be awesome to make in single-serving pudding cups.

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  23. Oh my! I couldn't look away!! Gorgeous!!!!!!!!!

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  24. Oh my goodness Gina. What an elegant sweet treat you were thinking of keeping away from us. Thanks to B.B. I'm flooding me house drooling over your cheesecake. Almonds, cherry, oh my cheesecake and chocolate, have I mention I LOVE chocolate cheesecake?
    I'm going to be dreaming about this days and maybe even weeks. Looks absolutely stunning. Thanks for sharing Gina, hope the weather got back to normal

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  25. Oh, Gina!! The words Cherry, Dark Chocolate, Almond Amaretto Cheesecake and Tart all in one title have me weak at the knees. WOW! Yep... I'll go out this way with you. Simply wonderful!! We've not had rain for a while, but not really any warm temps either. I'm still waiting for it to get warm!

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  26. Wow...just wow....I want it so very much. It calls to me.

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  27. This tart sounds absolutely heavenly, I love the combination of cherry, chocolate, almond, and amaretto, excellent!

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  28. Oh my!!!! I want that!!!!!!! Gina, can you please send me a slice? No, better the full cake!!! It looks and sounds to die for... I am a chocoholic, so I can't resist this one! Saved for cherry season!

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  29. Holy moley, Gina, this is gorgeous. I mean seriously gorgeous, i don't have any doubts that it tasted as good as it looks.

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  30. this looks so pretty!! you did an amazing job! i love it. thank you for sharing this.

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  31. Gina...create away my dear. Any dessert that holds those 4 main ingredients gets a cheer from me. The nut crust is the perfect base to the rest of the heavenly goodies.

    BTW...I kind of figured you might not have known about my unplanned and unexpected getaway...and just wanted to let you know that I didn't abandon your enthusiastic culinary home (since May). It's always a pleasure to visit with you ;o) Just wanted to let you know.

    Ciao for now and flavourful wishes,
    Claudia

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  32. Hi Gina... there's an award waiting for you. You can find it here: http://www.manusmenu.com/banana-pear-and-ginger-smoothie

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  33. A Blogger Brunch sounds like fun! Your tart looks amazing! I can only imagine how it tasted!

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  34. Gina, such a stunning dessert! This looks so decadent and delicious...I can see why you were asked for the recipe :)

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  35. Boy oh boy, can a cake possibly get any more delicious?! You've taken all my favorite ingredients (amaretto, cherries, and dark chocolate) and put them into one amazing baked recipe. It sounds amazing. I can only imagine.... Thanks for sharing, Gina. Happy Summer (finally)!

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  36. Oooh Gina you've outdone yourself on this one! It sounds fantastic!!

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  37. Hi Gina, I just wanted to let you know that I've left you a few awards on my blog. You can find them here - http://theharriedcook.blogspot.com/2011/06/homemade-boursin-some-awards.html

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  38. What an awesome dessert. I've gained a couple of pounds just looking at it.

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  39. Wow, what a great combination of flavors! It's looks delicious.

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  40. Gina this is absolutely gorgeous! I am stareing aimlessly :)

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  41. Gina, gorgeous-looking cherries like these cost as much as a (rather large) gold bar over here, so I'm just going to have to stare longingly at this tart until the day I can actually make it!

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