Dark Chocolate Tart With Bacon And Whipped Almond Pastry Cream

1. 1

   For Crust: Whisk butter and sugar in a stand mixer until light and creamy. Add cinnamon, salt and cocoa powder. Slowly add flour, 2 tablespoons at a time until loose, sticky batter forms.

2. 2

   Wrap batter in plastic, form into a disk and let cool in refrigerator for at least 1 hour until firm. Place cooled batter between two sheets of parchment paper and roll out until 1/4 inch thick. Carefully transfer crust to a pie pan with a removable bottom. Press crust firmly into pan. Using a form, poke all around bottom of crust to prevent rising when baking. Place into refrigerator for 15 more minutes.

3. 3

   Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool on baking rack.

4. 4

   Filling: In a small saucepan, warm heavy cream over medium heat until simmering. Remove from heat and add to a large mixing bowl with chocolate chips. Whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Mix in cayenne and reserved bacon.

5. 5

   Pour into cooled crust. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours until chocolate is firm.

6. 6

   Almond Cream: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, sugar, almond paste and salt. Bring to a simmer and whisk until well combined.

7. 7

   Whisk egg yolks and cornstarch in a large mixing bowl until it starts to thicken. Slowly pour about 1/4 of milk mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly to temper. Slowly pour egg mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the milk and return to low heat. Keep whisking until mixture becomes a pudding-like consistency.

8. 8

   Cover with plastic and place into refrigerator to cool for at least 4 hours, or overnight. When ready to serve, whip cream in a stand mixer with whisk attachment for 5 minutes.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.