Thursday, January 7, 2016

Nutella - Banana Cream Tartlets

Let's start the New Year with these sinfully delicious small tarts 
filled with creamy Nutella, sweet banana slices, 
topped with rich custard cream and heavenly whipped cream.
Happy New Year everyone! 
I hope you're looking forward to a 2016 filled with scrumptious dishes and exciting new recipes.
I am READY!!
Let's start the year with this yummy dessert: Nutella-Banana Cream Tartlets. Sounds great right?!?
I ate something like this a few weeks ago at Superba, here in Venice, California. It was my first time at this restaurant and I was really impressed. The food was amazing and the dessert was unforgettable. Soooo good I had to make it myself. Of course :)

It's no secret that Nutella and banana are a match made in heaven. And when you add a smooth custard cream AND sinfully delicious whipped cream on top of this goodness, you know you are in for a treat. I guess, everything (or most things) taste amazing covered in whipped cream!
Once you try one of these, you will be hooked!

When I baked these tarts I was trying to keep in mind my (and your) waistline. And making sure we would not give up, already?!?!, on our New Year's resolution of losing any extra pounds gained over the holidays, and look stunning in our skinny jeans in no time. I made these tarts in a smaller that usual size. Cute little, guilt-free, two-bite size... Or maybe three bites if you are like me and want to savor every single layer this dessert has to offer.
But here is a warning. It might be hard to stop and just eat one. It will take a lot of self control, but I know you can do it :)
Enjoy!!


Ingredients: to make around 18 tartlets
For the custard cream: 
  • 3/4 cup (175 ml) of milk
  • 1 egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup (50 gr) of sugar
  • 1 tablespoons (10 gr) of corn starch
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
For the short dough:
  • 4 oz (115 gr) of unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup  (65 gr) of sugar
  • 1 egg 
  • 1 egg yolk 
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla
  • grated zest of one lemon (optional)
  • a pinch of salt
  • 1 and 2/3 cups (250 gr) of all-purpose flour
Additional ingredients:

  • One large (or two small) banana, sliced
  • about 1/3 cup of Nutella, or other chocolate spread
  • about 1 cup (235 ml) of heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar
  • chocolate sprinkles (or powdered cocoa) optional

  • Preparation time: about 45 minutes, plus one hour inactive
    Directions:
    1. Start by preparing the custard cream. Warm 3/4 cup of milk, until hot, but not boiling. In another medium size pan, whisk the egg yolk with the 1/4 cup of sugar and the vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy. Whisk in 1 tablespoon of corn starch, making sure there are no lumps. Add a little bit of the warm milk to the egg mixture, whisking well so that no lumps form. Whisk in the rest of the milk.




    2. Place the pan over medium heat and stir continuously until it reaches a slow boil. The cream will thicken, so be careful not to let it stick to the bottom. Lower the flame and cook for a couple of more minutes, until you reach the desired thickness. It should take 4 to 5 minutes total. Pour the cream in a bowl and let it cook down. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.

    3. Prepare the sweet short dough. Cream the butter with the sugar. Blend in the egg, the egg yolk, the vanilla extract, and the lemon zest (if you are using it). Add the salt and the flour, and mix until combined.Collect the dough with your hand, make it into a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about an hour (or longer).





    4. Preheat oven to 350° F (175°C). Grease the tartlets mold with butter and flour (or spray). Set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough making sure it doesn't stick to the counter. Cut with round cookie cutter. Mine are 3 inch (7.5 cm) in diameter. Place them into the mold, pressing down gently with your fingers, trying not to stretch the dough. The upper diameter of my tartlet mold is 2.5 in (6.25 cm) each. You can use the dough cutouts to make more round cookies, just re-knead the dough and roll again. Bake the empty shells for about about 12 minutes, in the middle of the oven, until just golden at the edges.


    5. Let the tartlet shells cool down completely. Whip the whipped cream with the powdered sugar. Fill the cups with one teaspoon of Nutella or other chocolate spread. Top with one slice of banana, one layer of custard cream and one of whipped cream. Sprinkle with cocoa powder or chocolate sprinkles.


    Store in the refrigerator. Enjoy :)









    1 comment:

    1. Oh boy, these definitely sound too good to stop at one!

      ReplyDelete