Chocolate Key Lime Tarts

Chocolate Key Lime TartsChocolate Key Lime TartsYou know how sometimes you have a great idea, but the reality of it just doesn’t live up to your imagination?  That happens to me more often than I care to admit, but not today!  I was excited about this plan to combine chocolate and key lime, but I wasn’t sure how it would actually turn out.  This dessert knocked my socks off.  I was hoping it would be good, but wasn’t prepared for how delicious it really is.  It surpassed my expectations by a lot.

These tarts are the perfect ratio of sweet and tart with a delicious chocolate component.  Add some whipped cream to the top, and you’ve got a winning combination of flavors.  Chocolate Key Lime Tarts

Chocolate Key LimeTarts
Serves 6
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Cook Time
15 min
Cook Time
15 min
Key Lime Tart Filling Ingredients
  1. ½ cup fresh key lime juice (approximately 18 key limes) or juice from common limes
  2. 1 tablespoon fresh grated lime zest
  3. 4 egg yolks
  4. 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  5. Oreo Crust for 6 tart tins
Ganache Ingredients
  1. ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  2. ¼ cup heavy cream, heated just to boil
Key Lime Filling Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Prepare the oreo crust, and press the mixture up the sides and into the bottom of your pans.
  3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  4. With a zester, remove 1 tablespoon zest from the lime rinds.
  5. Squeeze juice from limes, and combine with zest.
  6. Whisk sweetened condensed milk with egg yolks. Add juice and zest, and let sit until thickened. (about 5 minutes)
  7. Pour 1/3 cup lime filling into each crust.
  8. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes until the center sets, but still wiggles when shaken.
  9. Cool completely, then refrigerate overnight.
Ganache Directions
  1. Pour boiling cream over chocolate chips, and allow to rest for 3-4 minutes to soften. Stir until smooth and decorate tops of tarts. Return to the fridge for 30 minutes to set.
  2. Serve with whipped cream.
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Start by making an Oreo crust.  You can get the recipe here.  One recipe fills 6 (4 inch) tart tins.  If you don’t have the mini tart tins, you could make this in an 8 inch tart pan or pie plate.  The directions and measurements will be exactly the same.  You’ll just make one larger tart instead of six small ones.

My mini tart tins. They measure 4 inches in diameter, have removable bottoms, and a non-stick coating. I got them from amazon.com, and I love them!

My mini tart tins. They measure 4 inches in diameter, have removable bottoms, and a non-stick coating. I got them from amazon.com, and I love them!

Divide the crumb mixture evenly between the pans.

Divide the crumb mixture evenly between the pans.

Press it up the sides and into the bottom of each tin.

Press it up the sides and into the bottom of each tin.  Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.

Let's start by talking about key limes. They're much smaller than common (Persian) limes. They're more acidic and citrus-y than the larger, Persian variety, and the experts say not to substitute the two, but I'll confess that I've done it, with this very recipe. Key limes are better, but I can't always get them. Use the key limes, if you can.

Let’talk about key limes. They’re much smaller than common (Persian) limes. They’re more acidic and citrus-y than the larger, Persian variety, and the experts say not to substitute the two, but I’ll confess that I’ve done it, with this very recipe. Key limes are better, but I can’t always get them. Use the key limes, if you can.

Wash and dry about 25 key limes. Then remove 1 tablespoon of zest from the rinds.

Wash and dry about 25 key limes. Then remove 1 tablespoon of zest from the rinds. (This is much easier to do BEFORE you juice them.)  The zest is a really great compliment to the chocolate.  YUM!

Cut the limes in half, and squeeze out 1/2 cup of juice.

Cut the limes in half, and squeeze out 1/2 cup of juice.

I like to squeeze my juice into a strainer to remove small seeds and extra pulp.

I like to squeeze my juice into a strainer to remove small seeds and extra pulp.

Depending upon how juicy the limes are, you can get 1/2 cup of juice from 15-25 limes. I always buy 25 to be safe. I use any leftovers for garnish.

Depending upon how juicy the limes are, you can get 1/2 cup of juice from 15-25 limes. I always buy 25 to be safe. I use any leftovers for garnish.

Add the grated zest to the juice and set aside for a few minutes.

Add the grated zest to the juice and set aside for a few minutes.

Now separate 4 eggs.  You will need only the yolks.  Here’s a quick tutorial on how to separate them, but if you already know how, just do it, and move on.  🙂

Start with 4 egg yolks You won't be using the whites in this recipe.

Start with
4 egg yolks
You won’t be using the whites in this recipe.

Add 1 (14 ounce can) sweetened condensed milk

Add
1 (14 ounce can) sweetened condensed milk

Whisk together until smooth.

Whisk together until smooth.

Add lime juice and zest, and combine.

Add lime juice and zest, and combine.

When it's all incorporated, let it sit for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly.

When it’s all incorporated, let it sit for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly.

Pour 1/3 cup filling into each chocolate crust.

Pour 1/3 cup filling into each chocolate crust.

Bake them at 325 for 15 minutes.

Bake them at 325 for 15 minutes.

Remove them from the oven and from the baking sheet, and let them cool on a wire rack. When they're completely cool, refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

Remove them from the oven and from the baking sheet, and let them cool on a wire rack. When they’re completely cool, refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

About an hour before you serve them, pour 1/4 cup of boiling heavy cream over 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips.

About an hour before you serve them, pour 1/4 cup of boiling heavy cream over 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Let it sit for 3-4 minutes for the chocolate to soften, then stir until smooth.

Let it sit for 3-4 minutes for the chocolate to soften, then stir until smooth.

Top tarts with the ganache, using any design you desire. You could completely coat the tops, it you want.

Top tarts with the ganache, using any design you desire. You could completely coat the tops, it you want.

Return to the refrigerator until the ganache sets. (about 30 minutes)

Return to the refrigerator until the ganache sets. (about 30 minutes)

Garnish with whipped cream and lime slices, and ...

Garnish with whipped cream and lime slices, and …

... serve.

… serve.

YUM!

YUM!