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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Menu / Sweet Treats / Chocolate Tahini Tart

    Chocolate Tahini Tart

    Jan 23, 2019 · 56 Comments

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    Please meet this luxuriously decadent and sophisticated chocolate tahini tart with a pretzel crust that’s easy to make and divine to eat!

    Finished tart with tahini swirl, side angle shot.

    This tart is the chocolate dessert that my chocolate tahini dreams are made of. It’s like the mature older sister of my chocolate ganache tart.

    Why this Recipe Works

    • Going with a pretzel crust means there’s no dough to roll out and a nice salty crunch to balance the bitterness in the chocolate.
    • Adding tahini to a classic chocolate ganache tart adds a sophisticated and unexpectedly fun twist to this classic dessert.
    • That tahini swirl on top! Just wow!

    Tahini, (also know as tahina), is a paste made of ground-up toasted sesame seeds. If you’ve never had it before, think of it as peanut butter, but instead of being made up of peanuts, it’s made up of sesame seeds (duh!). Howeva, if you’ve ever had hummus then you’ve def had tahini, since good hummus is pretty much half made out of tahini (the other half being garbanzo beans). I always say that the secret to really, really, really good hummus is the tahini. Not all tahini are created equal.

    Traditionally, tahini tends to make its appearance most frequently savory-style but lately I’ve really enjoyed experimenting with tahini in all sorts of sweet-style ways. Swirling tahini into cakes and brownies, baking it into cookies, or mixing it into a glaze. Chocolate and tahini go together like…well just like chocolate and peanut butter I’d say.

    Or perhaps a better analogy would be to stay that chocolate & tahini is the nutella of the sesame world. Does that make sense? Nutella is hazelnuts & chocolate. Tahini is sesame & chocolate. Ya dig? Ya drooling yet?

    The inspiration for this tart started out as this Chocolate Bundt Cake with a Sweet Tahini Glaze I made for a dinner party the other night.

    Pretzel crust in tart pan, post oven, overhead shot.

    Every guests asked if I had a leftover glaze so they could smear more on their cake. They made it exceptionally clear that the glaze was the star of the show and wanted more of it. “Can you try mixing it into the batter before baking?” someone asked. “How can I increase the ratio of this tahini to chocolate in every bite?” asked another. Ok, that last question might have not been verbatim, as I’m not sure my dinner party guests speak like that after multiple glasses of wine, but ya get the idea.  

    The dinner party ended and I was left dreaming up a chocolate tahini combo where there was more tahini deliciousness in every bit.

    This tahini chocolate tart was the answer of to those dreams. There’s tahini mixed into the chocolate ganache (chocolate ganache just means chocolate mixed with cream in case you think I’m getting all fancy here) and then a sweet tahini glaze swirled on top. If you’re in a rush you can skip the tahini swirl topping. It’s a lovely addition, especially aesthetically, (who doesn’t love a good swirl?) but not necessary if you’re between making the tart sans swirl and not making it at all.

    I needed a crust to hold my chocolate tahini filled goodness. The vehicle to carry it all, if you will. All sorts of options will work but I’ve settled on this pretzel crust. It’s salty and sweet and crunchy and oh so easy to make (just place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor!). If you have other crust ideas (graham cracker? chocolate pretzel?) I’d absolutely love to hear in the comments below! Let’s get our chocolate tahini tart crust exploration game on I say!

    How to Make this Chocolate Tahini Tart

    Please see my step-by-step guide with the corresponding pics below.

    1 1/2 cups of pretzels.
    Measure 1 1/2 cups of pretzels.
    1 1/2 cups of pretzels crushed in food processor with butter and brown sugar.
    Pulse pretzels with butter and sugar.
    Pretzel crust padded in tart pan, pre oven.
    Pat pretzel crust mixture into tart pan.
    Pretzel crust in tart pan, post oven, side angle shot.
    And bake.
    Chocolate chips, salt and tahini in a bowl.
    Combine chocolate, tahini and salt in bowl.
    Cream, vanilla and sweetener heated in a saucepan.
    Heat cream, vanilla, and sweetener.
    Cream mixture is poured into chocolate tahini bowl.
    Pour cream mixture over chocolate.
    Chocolate ganache is mixed together.
    And use that elbow grease to mix!
    Chocolate ganache filling is poured into pretzel crust.
    Pour filling into pretzel crust.
    Finished tart with tahini swirl, overhead shot.
    Top with tahini swirl.

    I’ve seen recipes all over the internet for a similar filling so want to be clear that I am not claiming any sort of complete originality for this chocolate tahini combo. I wasn’t the first person to have a chocolate tahini dream and I surely won’t be the last.

    Cooks Tips

    • Not all tahini is created equal. Use the best possible tahini you can get!
    • Not all chocolate is created equal either. Get the good stuff!
    • Really commit with that elbow grease to get that smooth, glossy, emulsified chocolate finish. For a big cheat, throw in all in the vitamix to do that work for ya.

    Have ya tried this recipe? I’d love to hear about it and see it too! Please leave a comment below and take a pic and tag it on Instagram with #wavesinthekitchen. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to see more colorfully delicious food and all sorts of awesome adventures!

    Let’s get our chocolate tahini game on and let’s make waves in the kitchen!

    Finished tart with tahini swirl, side angle shot.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 3 votes

    Chocolate Tahini Tart

    Please meet this luxuriously decadent and sophisticated chocolate tahini tart with a pretzel crust that’s easy to make and divine to eat!
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time15 minutes mins
    Total Time15 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Californian, Middle Eastern
    Author: Daniela Gerson

    Ingredients

    Pretzel Crust

    • 1 1/2 cups pretzels
    • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
    • 1/3 cup light brown sugar

    Filling

    • 10 ounces dark chocolate pieces morsels, chips or squares all work
    • 2/3 cups tahini
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 1/4 cup sweetener of choice can be honey, maple syrup, date syrup, agave or sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • pinch kosher salt
    • pinch flaky sea salt

    Tahini Swirl

    • 2 tablespoons tahini
    • 2 tablespoons cream
    • 1 tablespoon sweetener of choice can be honey, maple syrup, date syrup, agave or sugar

    Instructions

    • Pre-heat oven to 350 F degrees. In the bowl of a food processor, add pretzel, and pulse  small crumbs begin to form. Add brown sugar and melted butte and pulse some more, until all mixed together. Transfer mixture to a 9-inch tart pan, pressing into bottom and up sides.
    • Bake pretzel crust until set, 10-15 min and let cool completely.
    • Combine the chocolate, tahini, and kosher salt in a medium bowl.
    • Heat the cream, vanilla and sweetener of your choice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once it starts to simmer, remove it from the heat and immediately pour it over the chocolate and tahini. Let it sit for a minute or two to melt the chocolate.
    • Using a spatula, mix until well blended and no bits of chocolate remain. Get that elbow grease in there! Use quite a bit of elbow grease here — really commit! After a minute or two, the mixture should look thick, glossy, and well mixed.
    • Immediately pour the filling into the cooled crust and smooth the top.
    • Whisk cream, tahini and sweetener of your choice and swirl with a spatula on top and sprinkle with flaky salt (or other desired toppings). Let sit for at least 1 hour before slicing.

    Notes

    • Not all tahini is created equal. Use the best possible tahini you can get!
    • Not all chocolate is created equal either. Get the good stuff!
    • Really commit with that elbow grease to get that smooth, glossy, emulsified chocolate finish. For a big cheat, throw in all in the vitamix to do that work for ya.
    Did you make this recipe? Please share and tag @ChefDanielaGerson! I'd love to see how you're making colorful waves in the kitchen!  
    Finished tart with tahini swirl, side angle shot.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jacqueline Gerson says

      January 24, 2019 at 5:28 am

      5 stars
      Can’t, can’t, can’t wait?????
      Dying to make it and eat it, so gorgeous and Delicious ??????

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        January 28, 2019 at 5:06 pm

        You are too cute! It is indeed so delicious :). Thank ya!!! ???

        Reply
    2. Daniels says

      January 29, 2019 at 6:36 pm

      This is lovely, will give it a try. Keep it up

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        January 29, 2019 at 11:59 pm

        Really appreciate the feedback! Thank ya :). ?

        Reply
    3. Maartje van Sandwijk says

      January 29, 2019 at 7:33 pm

      This looks so good! Definitely trying it out! <3

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        January 29, 2019 at 11:58 pm

        So stoked to hear! Let me know how it goes :). ?

        Reply
    4. Sharon Rolland says

      January 29, 2019 at 6:09 pm

      That looks delicious!! Great blog
      Greetings from Norway

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        January 30, 2019 at 12:01 am

        Greetings right back to ya from Cali! And thank you so much :). ??

        Reply
    5. Adriana says

      January 30, 2019 at 2:51 am

      YUMMM! this sounds so delicious

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        January 30, 2019 at 3:09 pm

        Thank you so much Adriana!!! Love and appreciate the feedback :). ??

        Reply
    6. Mickal says

      January 30, 2019 at 1:24 am

      This looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        January 30, 2019 at 3:09 pm

        Thank ya so much Mickal!!! Really appreciate it :). ??

        Reply
    7. Sarah Stockley says

      January 30, 2019 at 9:41 am

      You got me with the word chocolate! I am a big chocolate lover so I would love to try this recipe.

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        January 30, 2019 at 3:07 pm

        Stoked to hear Sarah! Please let me know how it goes :). ??

        Reply
    8. Czjai Reyes-Ocampo says

      January 30, 2019 at 11:44 am

      So lovely! I bet it takes just as good as it looks. 🙂

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        January 30, 2019 at 3:08 pm

        Yaya! And I must say that it does :). Thank you. ??

        Reply
    9. Sophia says

      January 30, 2019 at 7:17 pm

      5 stars
      Wow this looks amazing. I have been looking for a recipe like this. I will have to try it!

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        March 04, 2019 at 10:12 pm

        Ya you do Sophia! Thanks so much for the feedback ~ really appreciate it! And would love to hear how it goes after ya try it :).

        Reply
    10. Amy-Lynn Denham says

      January 30, 2019 at 9:02 pm

      MMMMM tahini.... it does wonders for those of us on dairy-free diets who want to enjoy the same textures and creaminess we're used to.

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        March 04, 2019 at 10:13 pm

        Yes it does! And the chocolate-tahini combo is dreamy! Thank you so much Amy for the feedback :).

        Reply
    11. Natalie L. says

      January 30, 2019 at 4:17 pm

      This sounds so yummy I need to try this!!

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        March 04, 2019 at 10:10 pm

        Ya you do Natalie! Thanks so much for the feedback! And please let me know how it goes after ya try it... would love to hear :).

        Reply
    12. Nina Cochingco says

      January 31, 2019 at 1:23 am

      I will definitely try this recipe. It looks so damn delicious. Thanks for sharing this.

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        February 03, 2019 at 1:21 am

        Thank ya and thank you for commenting! Really appreciate it :). ??

        Reply
    13. Jeannette (Jay Joy) says

      January 31, 2019 at 1:26 am

      I did NOT know ginache was just chocolate mixed with CREAM! Mind blown. This looks so good. I JUST learned hwo to make tahini... now onto chocolate tahini!

      Reply
      • Daniela Gerson says

        December 20, 2020 at 8:28 pm

        Hehehe right Jeannette? It's a French word so sounds all fancy and complex but... yet that's all it is! And that's so rad that ya make your own tahini! Enjoy the tart + thanks for the sweet feedback :).

        Reply
    14. Jeannette (Jay Joy) says

      January 31, 2019 at 1:26 am

      I did NOT know ginache was just chocolate mixed with CREAM! Mind blown. This looks so good. I JUST learned how to make tahini... now onto chocolate tahini!

      Reply
      • Daniela Gerson says

        December 20, 2020 at 8:26 pm

        Hehehe right Jeannette? It's a French word so sounds all fancy and complex but... yet that's all it is! And that's so rad that ya make your own tahini! Enjoy the tart + thanks for the sweet feedback :).

        Reply
    15. Geraline Batarra says

      January 31, 2019 at 3:26 am

      5 stars
      This pretzel looks so delicious. Chocolates are my guilty pleasure. Would really try making my own

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        February 03, 2019 at 1:20 am

        Awesome! Please let me know how it goes ~ would love to hear! And that pretzel crust is one of the easiest cruststo make that ever was :). ??

        Reply
    16. Chelle Dizon says

      January 31, 2019 at 4:59 am

      Wow this is the first time to heard about tahini chocolate tart. That sounds deliciously incredible and perfect for parties.

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        February 03, 2019 at 1:19 am

        Thank ya and it so is!!! You’re def not alone in not having heard of the tahini/chocolate combo... that’s why I’m trying to do what I can to spread the good word! ??

        Reply
    17. Rebecca Sanchez says

      January 31, 2019 at 6:04 am

      My kids would absolutely love these. This would disappear in no time at our house! This is my kind of weekend treat.

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        February 03, 2019 at 1:17 am

        Yaya! So stoked to hear that!!! Please let me know what your kids think of it too :). ??

        Reply
    18. Clare Minall says

      January 31, 2019 at 6:05 am

      Wow, I have never tried to make this recipe looks really delicious and easy. I will try to make this for my kids, thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        February 03, 2019 at 1:17 am

        Absolute pleasure and please do let me know how it goes! Would love to hear :). ??

        Reply
    19. Preet says

      January 31, 2019 at 6:05 am

      Wow, I love this recipe it is so delicious and look so easy to prepare. I will def try to make this for the whole family.

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        February 03, 2019 at 1:16 am

        Rad!!! So super stoked to hear that! Please let me know how it goes :). ??

        Reply
    20. Sincerely Miss J says

      February 01, 2019 at 3:13 am

      I have never heard of chocolate tahini tart but it looks super good.

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        February 03, 2019 at 1:15 am

        It sooooo is!!! Thank ya! Would love to her your thoughts if you make it :).

        Reply
    21. Khushboo Motihar says

      February 02, 2019 at 3:57 am

      Your chocolate Tahini Tart looks delicious and I am sure it tastes heavenly. Love the recipe 🙂

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        February 03, 2019 at 1:13 am

        Really appreciate the feedback!!! Thank ya :). ??

        Reply
    22. Nicole says

      February 06, 2019 at 7:25 pm

      This looks so good! I haven't made a homemade tart before but I would love to try it out. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        March 01, 2019 at 6:13 pm

        Absolute pleasure Nicole! It’s as easy to make as tarts come! Would love to hear your feedback after ya make it :). 🍫😘

        Reply
    23. Amelie Gadsby says

      May 13, 2019 at 12:17 pm

      Would shortcrust pastry work instead?

      Reply
      • Daniela says

        May 13, 2019 at 12:54 pm

        Yes absolutely! Use any crust you'd like and please let me know how it goes :)!

        Reply
    24. kaja says

      June 06, 2020 at 4:01 pm

      Would you recommend a shortbread crust or pretzel? Also can this be made a day in advance? I'd like to make it tomorrow for a Monday bbq. Thanks

      Reply
      • Daniela Gerson says

        June 07, 2020 at 2:37 pm

        Hi + so stoked to hear you're making this! I love making this tart with a pretzel crust but shortbread would def work too! And yes def ya can make it today for tomorrow no prob! Please lemme know how it turns out can't wait to hear :-):):).

        Reply
    25. Ashley says

      September 01, 2020 at 3:09 pm

      Maybe I missed it somewhere but what size is the tart pan??

      Reply
      • Daniela Gerson says

        September 07, 2020 at 12:01 pm

        Hi Ashley and apologies for not clarifying it's a 9-inch pan. I'll update the recipe now :). Hope ya loved it!

        Reply
    26. Gala says

      September 24, 2021 at 5:47 pm

      I love this recipe! I have made it a number of times, and it is always met with rave reviews, and keeps well in the fridge (or I think it would, but it also disappears fast). It is an amazing combination of looking great, tasting decadent, and being surprisingly easy to make.
      One hiccup: I recently moved, and the grocery stores near me don't seem to carry normal pretzels, and I don't really want a peanut butter pretzel crust. It seems absurd that buying a bag of pretzels would be the difficulty, but still I'm curious to try out a new crust option. Any recommendations for other bases, or starting from scratch? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Daniela Gerson says

        September 28, 2021 at 10:08 am

        Yep + you can do a graham cracker crust! Use graham crackers, melted butter, salt and sugar. Or gingersnap or any type of cookie like that can work. Or even a traditional pie dough can do if you want to make that from scratch instead. So stoked to hear you love the recipe Gala + please keep me updated on the crust ya end up choosing I'd love to hear how it goes :)!

        Reply
    27. Dave says

      January 23, 2023 at 9:01 pm

      This looks amazing. What kind of pretzel nuggets do you recommend for the crust? All I can find that are not flavored are sourdough. Will that work with this recipe?

      Reply
      • Daniela Gerson says

        January 28, 2023 at 8:31 am

        Hi Dave and yes sourdough pretzels will def work! Any salty pretzel can be used. So stoked to hear you're making this + let me know how it goes :).

        Reply
    28. Char says

      July 01, 2023 at 8:09 pm

      Looks delish!! I make chocolate tahini stuff so I have to try this beaut! Question: What brand tahini and chocolate do you use?

      Reply
      • Daniela Gerson says

        August 28, 2023 at 6:25 pm

        Hi Char - I use all different sorts from fancy and high end tahini & chocolate to the generic whole foods/trader joes brand. You can't go wrong with either! Stoked to hear you're making this and please let me know how it goes :).

        Reply

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    Meet Daniela

    VEGGIES ARE SEXY 

    Hi, I'm Daniela - a Los Angeles based food photographer and creative director. I began my career as a chef with a passion for sourcing colorful produce from local markets. I love emphasizing the beauty of real food with my images. I’m also a food stylist and recipe developer with a gorgeous prop-filled studio in Venice, California.

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    Finished tart with tahini swirl, side angle shot.