I’m kind of proud of myself tonight. After five years of making and experimenting with raw foods, I have finally made my very first high raw, vegan tart. Tartelette, to be precise. And it was worth waiting, because this rich, indulgent, chocolate creation is absolutely dreamy.
What is a tart, anyway? Let’s see:
Tart, adj.
1. agreeably sharp or acid to the taste (a tart apple)
2. marked by a biting, acrimonious, or cutting quality (a tart rejoinder)Tart, noun
1. a dish baked in a pastry shell : pie: as a) a small pie or pastry shell without a top containing jelly, custard, or fruit, or b) a small pie made of pastry folded over a filling
2. [earlier slang, girlfriend, probably short for jam tart, rhyming slang for sweetheart]
I love all of these definitions, except for the last one—or at least its present day suggestion of promiscuity. I’ve got a special penchant for tart foods (I’m often accused of adding too much lemon to recipes), and I certainly love a good, biting rejoinder. Now that I’ve finally made my first ever tart at home, I think I can safely say that “small pie or pastry shells with a top containing jelly, custard, or fruit” is yet another meaning of the word “tart” that I love.
These tartelettes were made possible by the simple investment in a set of two mini tart shells on Amazon. Well worth it, since I’m far more likely to make and eat two smaller tartelettes on my own than polish off an entire tart before it starts to lose its freshness. The recipe makes enough for four 4-inch tartelettes or 2 6-inch tartelettes. And there will definitely be ganache leftover. Poor you 
Raw desserts that go above and beyond chocomole have always intimidated me a bit. Whenever I get around to making one, though, I’m reminded of how easy it really is to create incredible raw desserts without a lot of work. I find it a lot easier than baking, and often a lot more creative and fun. For this recipe, you’ll need only some straightforward ingredients (cocoa or cacao powder, cashews, walnuts, rolled oats, vanilla, and coconut oil) as well as the patience to let the tartelettes cool in the fridge till they’re set. Good luck with that.
| No Bake Tartelettes with Raw Vegan Chocolate Ganache Filling | Print |
- ¾ cup rolled oats
- ¾ cup walnuts
- ¼ tsp sea salt, plus an extra pinch for the filling
- 3 tbsp and ⅓ cup cacao powder (or cocoa powder), divided
- 6 large, pitted medjool dates
- 1 tbsp and ⅓ cup maple syrup, divided
- 1 cup cashews, soaked overnight or for at least four hours
- ⅓ cup coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ¼ cup water
- Fresh raspberries (optional)
- To make the crust, grind oats in a food processor fitted with the S blade till powder. Add walnuts and grind till they're quite crumbly. Add sea salt and 3 tbsp cacao and pulse to combine.
- Add the dates to the processor and process till mixture is sticking together. Add 1 tbsp maple syrup and continue to process till mixture is holding together really well.
- Press crust into your tartelette pans, making sure to keep the thickness even and get the sides nice and high. Refrigerate for one hour or more (up to a day or two).
- In a high speed blender, blend the cashews, oil, ⅓ cup maple syrup, ⅓ cup cacao or cocoa powder, vanilla, water, and a pinch of sea salt. Let it blend for as long as necessary to make it completely, silky smooth.
- Pour the filling into the tartelette shells. Refrigerate for several hours before serving, to let the ganache set. Top with fresh raspberries if desired!
- Makes 2 4.75-inch tartelettes, with a little extra left over.
These guys really did come together quickly, and fabulously.
Note that, if you’re a strict raw foods eater, you can certainly use a crust of 1 1/2 cups walnuts, and no rolled oats. I like the texture that some oat flour lends, but it’s totally up to you. And if you don’t have a high speed blender, you can definitely still make the ganache in a food processor, but note that soaking the cashews is really essential! Or else you’ll have an uneven ganache. Smoothness is what you’re going for.
These tartelettes, in spite of their diminutive size, are very rich and very filling. So you’ll likely be able to split one with a friend, a family member, or even a Valentine. I dare you to show off how delicious raw and vegan desserts can be!
Wherever you are, and whatever you’re doing, I wish you a happy Valentine’s Day tomorrow. Mine will involve…studying. And some more studying. Kind of like last year. But if I play my cards right, a viewing of Manhattan may be in order as an end-of-day reward. With a generous helping of chocolate, of course.
xo
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Heather says
February 13, 2013 at 10:11 pmHow many does this recipe make? Did I miss that? 🙂
Gena says
February 13, 2013 at 11:16 pmIt was buried in the post! Four 3 or 4 inch tartelettes, or two 6 inch tartelettes
Heather J says
February 14, 2013 at 10:45 amThank you! They look great.
sam says
February 13, 2013 at 10:12 pmthat looks utterly incredible! im gluten free and oats are not my friend either.. what else would you suggest? something to make it an all nut crust? peanut butter and other nuts, coconut cream to bind?? 🙂
Gena says
February 13, 2013 at 11:15 pmI put a note in saying you could use all walnuts (1.5 cups) but it’s kind of buried in the post! That should work. It may also be less dry, so the maple syrup may not be necessary 🙂
Jess says
February 14, 2013 at 9:43 amI bet you could use quinoa flakes too! I use them all the time in place of oats in recipes.
hannah says
February 14, 2013 at 10:42 amdried shredded coconut does the job too (see Brenda Davis – my hero!)
Jane says
February 13, 2013 at 10:15 pmbeautiful food styling and photos! looks like it’s straight from a glossy mag. Happy Valentines Day!
Molly says
February 13, 2013 at 10:45 pmHappy Valentine’s Day! These look fab.
P.S. I finally watched Manhattan after getting Netflix a few weeks ago. Totally my kind of movie–witty, intelligent, and moving. But it makes me want to be in NYC that much more 😉
Chef Amber Shea says
February 13, 2013 at 10:59 pmSimply gorgeous! Ironically, I went with something tart-tasting-but-not-at-all-chocolatey (nor a tart!) for my Valentine’s Day dessert on the blog this year, but I do love me a good raw chocolate tartlet, especially with a scattering of cheeky raspberries on top.
Ashley says
February 13, 2013 at 11:06 pmThese look and sound absolutely fantastic!!! Gorgeous photos, especially the first one. 🙂
Manasa says
February 14, 2013 at 12:15 amThese look amazing, I will be trying them soon! I made some raw vegan strawberry pies yesterday, with a similar base.
gina (fitnessista) says
February 14, 2013 at 12:31 amabsolutely beautiful! a tip for the ganache: if you add the coconut oil last, it helps make a smooth texture.
xoxo
(ps spring is coming if you’re still looking for a getaway.. just sayin)
Leslie says
February 21, 2013 at 1:57 pmGina, great tip about adding the coconut oil last!! I used the vita mix and it came out extremely smooth.
Brian says
February 14, 2013 at 4:58 amThese tarts look absolutely amazing & I can’t wait to try them. I did however notice you mentioned almonds but they are not listed amongst the ingrediants. I presume you meant walnuts since they were not mentioned until later in your part. Thanks Gena for shaping yet another fantastic recipe.
Jackie says
February 14, 2013 at 6:17 amI’m wondering if there is a nut that can be substituted for cashews? So many of the yummy raw recipes use cashews but I can’t eat them.
Lw says
February 16, 2013 at 3:05 amMacadamias.
Rose says
February 14, 2013 at 7:06 amOh so beautiful! Gosh, raspberries make everything so pretty. I am with you on the ease and creativity of raw/no bake desserts. Whipped two up for Galentine’s day this week… and they’re pretty darn foolproof. As long as you taste as you go 🙂 Don’t mind if I do!
Happy Valentine’s day, Gena!!
the delicate place says
February 14, 2013 at 9:59 amgena, this is BEAUTIFUL! *almost* too pretty to eat! definitely bookmarked! enjoy some raw dark chocolate 🙂 and happy studying!
purelymichelle says
February 14, 2013 at 11:39 amgena these look amazing!! love making raw tarts 🙂
Happy Valentines Day sweetie!
xoxo
Kristy says
February 14, 2013 at 12:21 pmThese look soooo amazing, Gena! I need to get some mini tart pans so I can make these soon! Happy Valentine’s Day! 🙂
Lisa says
February 14, 2013 at 3:34 pmI’ve been waiting for these since you posted the instagram photo. They look amazing! Definitely a weekend project 🙂
Gena says
February 19, 2013 at 10:43 pmYay! I hope you enjoyed them.
bitt says
February 14, 2013 at 8:26 pmHappy Valentine’s Day Gena! Thanks for all the love you pour into this site.
Gena says
February 19, 2013 at 10:43 pmI love pouring love into the site 🙂 Thank YOU for reading.
Crystal says
February 15, 2013 at 11:33 pmI am a bit confused about the almonds? They are not mentioned as far as I can see in the ingredients but only in the instructions? Or am I blind haha!
Victoria says
February 16, 2013 at 4:48 pmOopsie, See my reply below. Meant to post it in reply to your comment but messed up. 8-\
Victoria says
February 16, 2013 at 4:44 pmCrystal,
I was confused about the almonds too since the ingredients listed walnuts and everywhere else it said almonds. I see that has since been changed and everything now says walnuts, Oh well, I went with almonds and it was a hit. This was AMAZING!! My sad-(standard American diet)-eating husband said it was a “Grand slam.” This one was “OUT OF THE BALLPARK AWESOME”! I agree! It was FABULOUS!!
Gena says
February 19, 2013 at 10:26 pmSorry for the confusion! I hope it’s clear now 🙂
Tanya @ Playful and Hungry says
February 16, 2013 at 6:31 pmThose look so good! I just made my first high raw vegan cheesecake, too 😉 So good and so easy!
Leslie says
February 21, 2013 at 8:16 amHi Gena, I’ve been eyeing this recipe since you posted it and plan to make it today for my birthday. It looks PERFECT!! And yes, I love to make my own birthday dessert or cake so that I know what ingredients went into it 🙂 My only question is I do not have any sort of tart pan, mini or regular. Do you think this would fill a pie plate ok or should I pick up some mini tart pans? Thanks, Leslie
Leslie says
February 21, 2013 at 4:58 pmI ended up making it in my springform pan. It fit perfectly and I can’t wait to dig in after dinner!
Alex Elser says
February 21, 2013 at 10:21 pmJust wondering if the filling runs out if you make the tart in a large spirngform tin and then cut it into slices?
Thanks,
Alex
Gena says
February 21, 2013 at 10:40 pmAlex, if you make them that way, just be sure to put them in the fridge right away so that the filling sets! Then it should be fine. Leslie, glad it worked!
Amanda says
February 23, 2013 at 6:54 pmI just made this and it is amazing!! I didn’t have tart pans so I used a regular pie pan and it turned out great!!! YUM
Leah says
March 24, 2013 at 8:19 amI was hoping to make these for my sisters surprise dinner party but in mini tarts. Do you think it’ll still be as amazing?
leah says
April 4, 2013 at 9:06 amHI there i want to make for 10 – 11 people would you suggest doubling and using the 8 small tins or using one big tart tin. its for a dinner party. thank you so much.
Gena says
April 4, 2013 at 12:20 pmOh man, tough question! I would think that it’s safest to double and do the 8 small tins, because I know it’ll work, and also, each is kind of rich enough to make 2 servings. But I would imagine 1 big one will be fine (I just haven’t tried it). Good luck — I hope you love!
Leah says
April 13, 2013 at 4:26 amI made this for my dinner party and it was AMAZING!!! Thank you so much! The best!
hannah says
February 12, 2014 at 10:15 pmGena, I just made these as four mini tartlets for my man and I…they were supposed to be for Friday, but we “accidentally” polished one off tonight. Amazing!! Just as good as any cooked tart and a million times healthier. I am already dreaming of leftover ganache in some banana ice cream. THANKS!!!!
Stephanie says
May 27, 2014 at 1:19 pmThese look incredible! I’m hoping to make them for a birthday shindig this weekend but have one question… will they keep their texture if left out at room temperature for a few hours? Or should they be kept refrigerated?
Ayesha says
December 13, 2014 at 7:31 pmHi!
I’ve made these quite a few times. They are absolutely fantastic! Everyone who has tried them loves Loves LOVES them and literally begs me to make them again soon. Thank you so much!
Kira says
February 10, 2016 at 2:31 amCutting back on the maple syrup… Would that work?
Gena says
February 10, 2016 at 6:54 amHi Kira,
It really depends how much. The syrup isn’t a big part of the texture, so I don’t think you have much to risk — but if you cut too much, you may not get nice, sweet results! I hope the modification is a success.
Gena