Choklad Éclair Tårta (Chocolate Éclair Cake) is a delicious no-bake dessert inspired by the classic chocolate éclairs. It features layers of buttery, crisp pâte à choux (choux pastry) or graham crackers, creamy vanilla custard, and a rich chocolate ganache topping, mimicking the flavors and textures of the traditional French pastry but in cake form.
Here’s a simplified recipe for this decadent Choklad Éclair Tårta:
Choklad Éclair Tårta Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Custard Filling:
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Base Layer:
- 1 pack (about 200g) graham crackers or butter cookies (you can also use choux pastry shells, but graham crackers are easier)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (if using graham crackers)
For the Chocolate Ganache:
- 200g (7 oz) dark chocolate (or semi-sweet chocolate)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions:
1. Make the Custard Filling:
- In a medium saucepan, combine milk, heavy cream, sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Whisk everything together until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks until smooth and pale.
- Gradually pour about 1 cup of the warm milk mixture into the egg yolks while whisking constantly to temper the eggs. This helps prevent the eggs from curdling when added to the hot mixture.
- Slowly whisk the egg mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the milk mixture. Place the pan over medium heat and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and begins to boil (about 4-6 minutes).
- Once thickened, remove the pan from the heat and stir in butter and vanilla extract.
- Pour the custard into a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap, ensuring the wrap touches the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming. Let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled, about 1-2 hours.
2. Prepare the Base Layer:
- If using graham crackers, break them into pieces that will fit the bottom of your cake pan. You can either use a springform pan or a regular 9×13 inch pan.
- If using butter cookies, crush them into smaller pieces (about the size of a graham cracker) and combine them with the melted butter to make them stick together.
- Lay a layer of graham crackers (or cookies) in the bottom of the pan, covering it completely. Press gently to make sure the crackers stick.
3. Layer the Custard and Crackers:
- Once the custard has cooled, spread about half of the chilled custard mixture evenly over the graham crackers layer.
- Place another layer of graham crackers (or cookies) on top of the custard, pressing down gently to make the layers stick.
- Spread the remaining custard on top and level it out with a spatula.
4. Make the Chocolate Ganache:
- In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it begins to simmer (don’t let it boil).
- Remove from heat and add the chopped chocolate. Stir until the chocolate is fully melted and the ganache is smooth.
- Stir in the butter until completely melted and the ganache is glossy.
- Pour the ganache over the top layer of custard, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
5. Chill and Serve:
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible, to allow the layers to set and the flavors to meld.
- Before serving, you can garnish with chocolate shavings, whipped cream, or even a dusting of cocoa powder for extra decoration.
Tips:
- If you prefer to use choux pastry (traditional for éclairs), you can pipe small éclairs and bake them, then fill them with the custard and drizzle the ganache over the top. This will create more of a traditional éclair effect.
- For an extra crunchy texture, you can toast the graham crackers in the oven before using them as the base.
- You can also add a bit of espresso powder to the ganache for a coffee-flavored twist or use a combination of dark and milk chocolate for a less intense chocolate topping.
This Choklad Éclair Tårta is a wonderfully creamy, rich, and indulgent dessert that brings the classic éclair flavors into an easy-to-make cake form. It’s perfect for any occasion, especially when you want to wow your guests with something special and decadent!