A few weeks ago I was challenged by Nicolas over at Blogtastic Food to create a fabulous vegan dessert as part of a blogger recipe collaboration. The idea was inspired by this recipe for vegan lemon meringue pie which Nicolas put together recently, and he had the idea to challenge other food bloggers to get creative (vegan style!) and do the same. And that is how this vegan chocolate caramel tart came about.
Aside from being vegan this dessert is also free from gluten and refined sugar but doesn’t skimp on decadence. I have combined some of my favourite “healthy” dessert components into one gorgeous tart – a chocolatey and nutty base, a rich caramel centre and a smooth chocolate topping. Fresh berries and mint add a pretty pop of colour with the berries adding a delicious sweet and sharp flavour that compliments the rest of the tart beautifully. The chocolate spread topping is inspired by a recipe from “Deliciously Ella” – it is so good that I think I will give it it’s own separate post one of these days!
And if you need another reason to get your gorgeous self into the kitchen to make this chocolate caramel tart the other bonus it that the tart doesn’t require any baking. It can also be made ahead of time, in fact I would recommend chilling it in the fridge overnight to give the caramel filling a chance to firm up. If you’re not fussy about getting the perfect slice though you could tuck in after a few hours of chill time.
Thank you to Nicolas over at Blogtastic Food for inviting me to participate in this vegan dessert challenge.
If you have a favourite vegan dessert I would love to hear about it in the comments!
Cook’s notes:
- the longer the tart sits in the fridge the firmer it becomes, making it the perfect make-ahead dessert. Just remember that the fresh berries and mint leaves should only be added at serving time.
- if you don’t have any fresh berries you can also top the tart with toasted coconut or almond flakes.
- if you’re not strictly vegan you can replace the maple syrup in the chocolate topping with runny honey.
- store the leftover chocolate topping in a jar in the fridge to enjoy over pancakes.
VEGAN CHOCOLATE CARAMEL TART
For the base:
- 75g ground almonds
- 75g desiccated coconut
- 3 tbsp cocoa
- 75g coconut oil, melted
For the caramel filling:
- 300g pitted dates
- boiling water to soak
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 150ml coconut cream
For the chocolate topping:
- 100g blanched hazelnuts
- 40ml maple syrup
- 1 tsp cocoa
- 40ml water
- fresh raspberries, to serve
- fresh blueberries, to serve
- fresh mint leaves, to serve
1.) Grease a 35cm x 12cm rectangular tart tin well.
2.) Make the base by combining the ground almonds, desiccated coconut and cocoa in a small bowl. Add the coconut oil and mix well until everything is evenly combined. Press the mixture into the tart tin and refrigerate while you make the filling.
3.) To make the filling place the dates in a small bowl. Cover the dates with boiling water and leave to soak for 15 minutes.
4.) Drain the dates and place them in a food processor. Blitz into a paste. Add the vanilla extract and coconut cream. Blitz the mixture for another few minutes to get the caramel as smooth as possible. Tip the date caramel into the chilled tart tin and spread into an even layer. Freeze the tart for 30 minutes.
5.) Next make the chocolate topping. Preheat your oven to 200ºC and line a small baking tray with baking paper. Arrange the hazelnuts in an even layer on the tray and roast for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
6.) Pop the cooled hazelnuts in a food processor and blitz into a paste. Add the maple syrup and cacao and blend again until fully combined. Add the water and blend again until combined and the spread is smooth.
7.) Spread 150ml of the chocolate spread over the caramel filling. Chill the tart in the fridge overnight. Top with fresh raspberries, blueberries and mint leaves just before serving.
Don’t forget to check out the other vegan recipes from some really talented bloggers who also participated in this collaboration. These desserts look incredible, do have a look and share some love!
JULIA from Julia recipes – coconut lime vegan tart
SARAH from Slice of Honey – shortbread cookies with dark chocolate drizzle
ALLY from Ally Bakes – ginger coconut pear cake
ANTHEA from Salty Biscotti – no-bake chocolate salami
WINOLA from The Food Scape – banoffee pies
MAYA from Maya’s Bee Hive – blackberry pie with walnut cardamom crumble
JASMINE from Jazzy B Fit – biscoff tiffin
KATHY from Holistic Hormone Help – berry brie strudel
REKA from Holy Whisk Blog – beetroot brownies
MARIE from Sugar Salt Magic – lemon coconut frangipane tart
This post absolutely made my day. You have executed this dish perfectly Teresa!! Love how you made that chocolaty crumb base. I’m so pumped right now!
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Yay! I really enjoyed putting this dessert together as I have been wanting to do something like this for a while. Can’t wait to see the other recipes!
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Hi Teresa, this is an ultimate vegan chocolate tart😋😋so happy to share your recipe 😍
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Thanks Julia, and your coconut lime vegan tart is absolutely gorgeous! I have loved checking out everyone’s recipes, such creativity! x
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That looks absolutely delicious! I am not a vegan but I am following a high protein diet in order to combat Diabetes Type 2, This recipe is one I could eat on this diet. Thanks! Gillian.
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I’m so glad you get to enjoy this one! 😉 Good luck with the diet and enjoy the recipe.
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I can’t wait to try this
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Whoop whoop! 😉
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it looks tasty😋
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Thanks! It’s a tough job having to create and taste these dishes… 😛
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yes, I can imagine😊
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This is absolutely beautiful! I’m excited to give this one a try!
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Thanks so much Sarah, hope you love it!
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This is divine!
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Ah, thank you! x
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Looks delicious!!
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Thanks so much!
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Delicious. Your posts and pictures brighten up my morning
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Your message has made my day… thank you! 🙂
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Looks delicious
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Thanks! 🙂
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This vegan chocolate caramel tart is jaw-dropping! I am in love with the ingredients you used, and how you used them — making a caramel filling from dates and coconut cream is so creative and sounds delicious!! I would love to give this recipe a try. I’m happy to be sharing your post!
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Thank you so much Ally, that’s very sweet of you. Your cake is totally fabulous, I must try it! x
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Want to have just now🤗🤗
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I hope you’ll give this dessert a try!
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Yes dear
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This sounds so good!!
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Thanks, do try it! 🙂
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So delectable looking! So pleasing to the eye and I’m sure the pallet. I can not wait to try it. I’m looking for more vegan recipes, I found a savory blog and now your sweets. Thank you so much for sharing.
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Thank you for your lovely message! And it’s my pleasure…I loved creating this dessert.
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Daaaaamn that looks delicious, nicely done!
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Ha ha! Thank you Nate. 😉
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🍇
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Yes… Sounds absolutely, Bloglicious!!💜 Can’t wait to try this out.
Yonnie
InHisCare
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Thank you Yonnie, enjoy!
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Most definitely, I have shared it with three others.
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I absolutely love this tart! The photos are beautiful and the berries and mint really give it a splash of color! The chocolate topping is something I will definitely try.. in fact- I’ll probably whip up the entire thing as every component is a favorite of mine! Wonderful recipe!
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Thank you soo much for your kind message! I really hope you enjoy the tart. x
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This tart is absolutely gorgeous! Thanks a lot for the beauty and inspiration:)
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Thank you Maya, it was a fun recipe to work on! x
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I’m so hungry right now! This looks delicious! Great post.
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Ha Ha! Thank you so much Natasha! 🙂
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Wow! Wow! Wow!
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Thanks!! 🙂 🙂
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Yum! This looks amazing!
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Thanks so much!
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Reblogged this on Eileen Lyn Wah.
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This looks beautiful!
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Thank you Melanie, appreciate it!
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This is absolutely divine! I’m craving it for breakfast now!!!
Congrats x
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Thank you so much! Chocolate tart for breakfast sounds like a plan. 😉
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Wow this is so amazing. Thanks for sharing the recipe 😊 can’t wait to try taste it.
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My pleasure! Let us know what you think when you try it. 🙂
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