Chocolate Hazelnut Tart

Two very rich flavors—chocolate and hazelnut— team up in this elegant dessert tart.

Recipe Ingredients:

2 cups shelled hazelnuts
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar - divided use
3 tablespoons unsweeted baking cocoa
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup unsalted butter - divided use
4 large eggs, separated
4 (1-ounce) squares unsweetened baking chocolate
1 cup dark corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons rum

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Toast hazelnuts on a baking sheet until the skins are loose and come off easily, about 10 minutes; turn off oven. Rub hazelnuts in a clean towel to remove the skins, then chop coarsely and set aside.
3. Crust: In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, 1/4 cup sugar, cocoa and baking soda. Cut in a 1/4 cup butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal; stir in 1 egg to form smooth dough. Form into a ball, wrap and refrigerate.
4. Filling: Using a double-boiler, melt baking chocolate with remaining 1/4 cup of butter over simmering water, whisking occasionally until smooth; remove from heat and set aside.
5. Combine corn syrup and remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil slowly over medium heat; remove from heat and stir in chocolate mixture.
6. In a mixing bowl, beat remaining 3 eggs, salt and rum flavoring. Beat into chocolate mixture until just mixed; gently stir in hazelnuts and set aside.
7. Preheat oven again to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch pie plate.
8. Lightly flour a work surface; lay chilled dough on it and lightly flour it, as well. Roll dough to a 13-inch round, between 1/4 and 1/8-inch thick. Line pie plate with the dough, trimming away all but a 1-inch overhang. Fold over to make a double-thick edge on the rim of the pan and flute the edges. Pour hazelnut filling into crust.
9. Bake until filling is set and the crust is baked through, about 40 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

Makes 12 servings.