I am going through a spicy and sweet stage. I always thought of spicy as something to have at dinner – laksa, anyone? – but as my love of baking increases, so does my curiosity with combining different tastes.
My light bulb moment with this spicy Mexican chocolate tart came one night when I was looking in the pantry for a nightcap of spiced rum and a nibble of chocolate.
I saw a bottle of my favourite tequila sitting alongside some dark chocolate and cinnamon and lo and behold – a glamorous dessert was born. The flavours of Mexico – spice from the cinnamon, heat from the chilli, tequila – shine through.
It goes without saying that this is an adults-only dessert – even if your young ‘un has a taste for chilli the fact that the tequila isn’t cooked off means it isn’t suitable.
This recipe is made of up several different steps, all of which can be done a day before you want to serve the tart. All the steps are simple and fuss-free, yet the finished product looks (and tastes) luscious.
If you do nothing else I would recommend making the candied red chilli the night before. This gives the sugar syrup and chilli a decent getting-to-know-you time, resulting in a better, less harsh flavour.
Ensure you deseed the chilli to remove most of the heat, and use big chillis, not the teeny heat-packing birds eye variety.
I used the excess sugar syrup left-over from making the candied red chilli to dress a chocolate cake – I will share that recipe soon.
This tart can serve 8 generously, or 12 if you cut into smaller squares.
GATHER:
Dough:
115 grams butter, melted
¼ cup caster sugar
1 ¼ cups plain flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Tequila chocolate ganache:
125 grams best quality dark chocolate, chopped roughly
½ cup pouring (single) cream
1- 2 tablespoons tequila – the amount required will depend on the quality of your liquor.
Candied red chilli:
1 large red chilli, deseeded and cut into fine strips. You will only use about 1/3 of the chilli
150 mL water
150 grams caster sugar
LET’S GET TO IT:
Candied red chilli:
Make a sugar syrup by combing the water and sugar in a small pan over a low heat. Stir frequently until the sugar has dissolved, then simmer for 20 minutes (stirring and scrapping the bottom) until syrup is thick and reduced.
Remove from heat then add sliced red chilli to pan. When pan and syrup are cool cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge overnight.
Dough:
In a large bowl stir together all the crust ingredients with a spoon until a soft dough forms – this should take about one minute.
Spray a 35cm x 4cm rectangular tart pan with removable base with non-stick cooking spray and press the dough all over the base and up the sides of the pan. Using the bottom of a glass helps with this.
Cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge for half an hour.
Preheat the oven to 180C.
Remove plastic wrap from tart and use a fork to prick the pastry base all over.
Bake for 20-24 minutes, until lightly golden.
Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
Ganache:
In a small saucepan place the chocolate with the cream and stir over a low heat until melted, thick and glossy – keep a close eye on it as you don’t want it to burn or boil. Allow to stand 15 minutes, then stir in the tequila, tasting as you go.
Stir to combine.
To assemble:
Remove chilli from syrup (you don’t need the syrup) and place chilli on sheet of baking paper.
When pastry base has cooled to room temperature pour in the ganache (give it a quick stir first) then decorate the top with the candied chilli.
Slice in thin wedges to serve.
the hungry mum 
Love the combination of chocolate and spice here, and the wonderful chocolate Tequila ganache. Beautiful! 🙂
Thanks! I was very happy with the result 🙂
Wow, spicy and sweet for dessert. Very exotic!
Cheers – it is a good combo of lots of different elements.
lol love that you have tequila in your pantry!
oops, this is Sophie from MyLittleGumnut! I’m signed in as my alter or should I say altar ego – hehe – and forgot!
hehehe! Hi Sophie! Hope all;s good – has been forever x
I have two types of tequila in my pantry – sometimes I forget that I’m a mum, not a party hard teen 😉
This looks and sounds divine!! I love chilli and now I can have it in my dessert too 🙂
Thanks – I may have snaffled a slice or two during photography and it was so good!
That looks The Biz Mrs H. The Biz. As all the young kids say, like totes.
This sounds and looks like a sensational dessert. Like the combination of sweet and spicy.
I was so impressed with this! It was a gamble to see if it would work out but I am thrilled that it did.
This sounds and looks like a sensational dessert. Like the combination of sweet and spicy.
Cheers – I really dig the contrasting tastes in this dessert.
We love dark chocolate with chili, this looks really good.
Love this chocolate tart! Chilli and chocolate is one of my favourite combos! Definitely will have to try your recipe! 😀
Wow sounds amazing.
Ooooh this is a seriously grown up decadent dessert!
It is very adults only 😉
This is such a striking looking tart HM! Love that vibrant red of the chilli sitting on top of the rich, dark chocolate!
Awww ta! I don’t have a sweet tooth so I love the bite of the chilli against the dark choc 🙂
This looks so wonderful and a great combination of flavors! Beautiful and unique!
Thank you! I must say, this is one of my fav recipes I’ve created.
Sounds great!
Stunning presentation! It really is perfection. 🙂
Awww, thanks 🙂 It is so goooood.
I’ve never used tequila in a cake but I feel like I should remedy it immediately! 😀
Tequila is ‘mazing – I’ve also used it in cookies and a cake. Am totally #teamTequila 😉
That’s an interesting spin on the chocolate tart. Sounds really tasty!
Thanks Starr – I have not been able to stop eating it!
This is a clever idea – I especially like that you candied the chilli. Nice one!
Thanks! Candied chilli is my new favourite – expect to see it often in future posts 🙂
Choc and chilli is just sublime
The BEST! Add tequila and there’s a party in your mouth 🙂
I’m sorry, did someone say tequila? 😉 I’m in.
You bet I did 🙂
Chocolate + chilli + tequila = yummy! Lovely recipe, great to meet you at EDB xx
Thanks Liz 🙂 Am really proud of this recipe and am waiting for another special occasion so I can bake it again. So lovely to meet you, too.
Reblogged this on the hungry mum.