Dark Chocolate Orange Ricotta Tart with Honey Almond Crust

4.4 from 5 votes
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Dark Chocolate Orange Ricotta Tart with Honey Almond Crust is so rich and elegant that there is no reason to reveal that it is a natural, healthier indulgence, completely grain-free, with no refined sugars. The crust is sweet and nutty, with a citrusy ricotta custard filling, topped with a slightly firm dark chocolate shell.

Dark Chocolate Orange Ricotta Tart with Honey Almond Crust | cupcakesandkalechips.com | #grainfree #glutenfree #dessert

Can you believe we have reached the end of #ChristmasWeek? I started the week with something totally decadent, over-the-top, and fun for the kiddies, with the Flourless Peanut Butter & Nutella S’Mores Sandwich Cookies. Next up, something a bit more elegant, but still an indulgent little bite that you can easily serve at a cookie exchange or casual get-together: Flourless Nutella Marshmallow Cookie Cups. Then, to help balance the sugar with a little fiber and protein, are flourless, eggless, secret ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Dough Truffles, that are perfect to wrap up as gifts.

And now, we have this dark chocolate orange tart…

Dark Chocolate Orange Ricotta Tart with Honey Almond Crust | cupcakesandkalechips.com | #grainfree #glutenfree #dessert

Elegance and refinement both in the presentation and the flavor profile, but still not difficult to make. It took awhile for me to get on the chocolate and orange bandwagon, but now I am totally in love with the combination. And there is just something so fancy-shmancy about it. I mean, even a simple yogurt parfait looks like it is ready for a glamour shot with these ingredients.

I almost hesitate to tell you that since there is no flour, it really can be enjoyed almost guilt-free. Plus, it’s grain-free, and has no refined sugars. I know that freaks some people out, but seriously, don’t let it. I mean, you’ve got rich ricotta lightened up with fresh and citrusy orange, nutty almonds for crunch, and the intense, subtle bitterness dark chocolate balanced by a robust but not overpowering sweetness from honey. This is real food, people. Real, amazing, flavorful, delicious food. And I totally think eating real food HAS to include dessert!Dark Chocolate Orange Ricotta Tart with Honey Almond Crust | cupcakesandkalechips.com | #grainfree #glutenfree #dessert

This Dark Chocolate Orange Ricotta Tart would be a perfect final course for a dinner party, or would look gorgeous out on a dessert table for a cocktail party or open house gathering. And while it may still be part of Christmas Week, couldn’t you see this as a conclusion to a fancy New Year’s Eve meal? Not only does it taste amazing, but as you can tell by all of the photos and the way I am swooning over it, I just can’t get over how gorgeous it is.

Dark Chocolate Orange Ricotta Tart with Honey Almond Crust | cupcakesandkalechips.com | #grainfree #glutenfree #dessert

I think, perhaps, one of my best models this year. Don’t you agree?

Dark Chocolate Orange Ricotta Tart with Honey Almond Crust | cupcakesandkalechips.com | #grainfree #glutenfree #dessert

Hot chocolate and marshmallows, peppermint and mocha, chocolate and orange, or something else – do you have a favorite holiday-ish flavor combination?

Enjoy this dark chocolate orange, deliciously decadent tart!

4.4 from 5 votes

Dark Chocolate Orange Ricotta Tart with Honey Almond Crust

This rich Dark Chocolate Orange Ricotta Tart features a sweet, nutty honey almond crust, a citrusy ricotta custard filling, and is topped with a slightly-firm dark chocolate shell!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 55 minutes
Chill Time 3 hours
Total: 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8 -12

Ingredients

For the Honey Almond Crust:

  • 2 cups raw almonds ground into a meal, or 1 1/2 c almond meal
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea or kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/4 cup butter or coconut oil melted

For the Orange Ricotta Filling:

  • 15 ounce container whole milk ricotta cheese about 1 1/2 cups
  • 3 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine table salt
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
  • Strips of orange zest for garnish if desired

For the Dark Chocolate Shell:

  • 1/2 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder not Dutch cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup melted coconut oil I have not tried this with butter, but I imagine that would work, though it may be a bit softer
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

For the Honey Almond Crust:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Whisk the almond meal and salt together, and add the coconut oil or butter and honey. Stir together until well combined.
  • Press the crumbs into a 9-inch tart pan, working the mixture up the sides.
  • Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly golden, and set on a rack to cool.

For the Orange Ricotta Tart:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese and cream cheese and beat with an electric mixer on medium until smooth.
  • Add the honey and salt, and beat until well blended, then add the egg yolks, orange zest and orange juice, and beat until just combined.
  • Pour the batter into the crust and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the filing just barely jiggles when nudged.
  • Cool to room temperature on a rack, then transfer to the refrigerator to chill until firm, about 2-3 hours.
  • Prepare the Dark Chocolate Shell and pour over the cooled tart. Return to the refrigerator for at least an hour, until firm.
  • Garnish with strips of orange zest, if desired.

For the Dark Chocolate Shell:

  • Combine the ingredients in a small bowl, and whisk until combined and smooth. Keep at room temperature until ready to pour over the tart.
Nutrition Facts
Dark Chocolate Orange Ricotta Tart with Honey Almond Crust
Amount Per Serving
Calories 587 Calories from Fat 387
% Daily Value*
Fat 43g66%
Saturated Fat 18g90%
Trans Fat 0.2g
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g
Monounsaturated Fat 17g
Cholesterol 102mg34%
Sodium 347mg14%
Potassium 446mg13%
Carbohydrates 44g15%
Fiber 7g28%
Sugar 33g37%
Protein 16g32%
Vitamin A 629IU13%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 235mg24%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Dark Chocolate Orange Ricotta Tart with Honey Almond Crust | cupcakesandkalechips.com | #grainfree #glutenfree #dessert

Looking for some more gluten free holiday baked goods?

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Visit all the other Christmas Week Peeps for more Holiday Baking Goodness:

61 Comments
  1. Michelle M

    Love a Cake Boss and love to bake. I would make my daughter a beautiful Mickey/Minnie Mouse cake for her third birthday!

  2. JoeyfromSC

    your tart looks great! yum!

    I’d probably make a giant chocolate chip cookie lol

    Thanks for the chance to win! I love to bake but need better supplies!

    Happy Holidays!

  3. Corcoran

    I am a big fan of the classic gingerbread… I would love to make this tart for mom mom’s birthday as something different since her birthday is three days before Christmas!

    The baking set would be perfect for when I move in with my future husband and start filling our first house!!

  4. This is the most gorgeous tart I’ve ever seen. Absolutely beautiful and just perfect for Christmas Week.

    I am so thrilled you joined us for this event Brianne. It’s been such a pleasure having you be part of the CW crew.

  5. Truly one of the best desserts I’ve seen in a long time. I’m crazy for that dark chocolate orange combo and just might be tempted to add a splash of grand marnier to the mix!! Fabulous dessert!

  6. Susan Broughton

    I love to cook so what couldn’t I make. I love to make cookies, pies, cakes, breads everything so I will continue to make items just on a better quality of bakeware!

  7. Diana Cote

    5 stars
    I would love to bake some cupcakes with my daughter and some cookies. We just started baking together and she loved and felt so proud, I would love to keep this going with her and make it a mommy/daughter thing we do every week. 😀 by the way this looks so delicious and decadent, I might make it very soon. 🙂

  8. Sarah

    Oh and my favorite holiday flavor combinations would have to be cranberry & white chocolate, and something with cinnamon sugar!

  9. Sarah

    4 stars
    Love Cake Boss and winning products from their awesome line would be a great Christmas gift for myself! 🙂

    Thank you so much for this opportunity!

  10. Shirley

    What an AMAZING tart! I cannot wait to try it! And this assembled prize package would be any bakers’ DREAM! ** keeping my fingers crossed**

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