Mexican Chocolate Tart with Cinnamon Spiced Pecans

medium prep time 20 mins | cook time 45 mins servings 0

FOR PECANS:

Nonstick vegetable oil spray

1 large egg white

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon La Fe Brown Sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

½ teaspoon black pepper

FOR CRUST:

1 cup chocolate wafer cookie crumbs (about half of one 9-ounce package cookies, finely ground in processor)

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon salt

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

FOR FILLING:

1 cup heavy whipping cream

4 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped

1 (3.1-ounce) disk Mexican chocolate (such as Ibarra), chopped

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces, room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

Lightly sweetened whipped cream

STEP ONE

For Pecans:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray. Whisk all ingredients except pecans in medium bowl. Stir in pecans. Spread in single layer on sheet, rounded side up. Bake until just browned and dry, about 30 minutes. Cool on sheet. Separate nuts, removing the excess coating.
STEP TWO

For Crust:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Blend the first 4 ingredients in the processor. Add melted butter; process until crumbs are moistened. Press crumbs into a 9-inch-diameter tart pan with a removable bottom, to within 1/8 inch of top. Bake until set, about 20 minutes. Cool on rack.
STEP THREE

For Filling:

Bring cream to simmer in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat. Add chocolates; whisk until melted. Add butter, 1 piece at a time; whisk until smooth. Whisk in vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Pour filling into crust. Chill until filling begins to set, about 15 to 20 minutes.