This elegant vegan dessert is deceptively simple and requires no baking. The crust is made from fruit and nuts so not only is it delicious, but it’s healthy and gluten-free. The ganache filling is rich, bittersweet, and impossibly smooth. Made on the stovetop with only 4 ingredients, it just doesn’t get much easier than this. And the caramel sauce adds not only a little extra decadence, but just enough sweetness to put this dessert over the top.
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Keyword: vegan
Servings: 12servings
Equipment
Special Equipment: Food processor, 9-inch round or 4x14-inch fluted tart pan with removable bottom is recommended or substitute 9-inch pie plate
Ingredients
Crust:
1cuproom temperature pitted Medjool datesabout 10
2cupsroasted pecansor walnuts
¼cupdried cranberries
½cupnon-dairy dark70% cacao or semi-sweet chocolate chips
¼teaspoonsalt
Filling:
1cupcanned coconut milk
12ouncesdark70% cacao or semi-sweet vegan chocolate chips
2tablespoonsvegan butter
1teaspoonvanilla extract
Caramel Sauce:
1cupgranulated sugar
6tablespoonsvegan butter
½cupcoconut cream
¼cupsmoothsalted peanut butter
Instructions
To make the crust, pulse the dates in a food processor until roughly chopped. Add the pecans, cranberries, chocolate chips, and salt. Pulse until finely ground and moist enough to hold together when pinched. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of the crust mixture then transfer the rest to the tart pan. Use your hands to press the crust evenly into the pan and up the sides: Lightly moistened hands will prevent sticking. Set aside.
To make the chocolate ganache, heat the coconut milk in a small pot over medium heat until small bubbles form. Turn the heat off and add the chocolate, butter, and vanilla. Let sit for a few minutes then stir until smooth and glossy. Pour the ganache into the crust. Crumble the reserved crust onto the top of the ganache. Refrigerate for several hours until cool.
To make the caramel sauce, heat the sugar in a small, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat. Once the sugar starts to look damp after several minutes, stir constantly with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon as it melts. Sugar will eventually melt into a thick, amber-colored liquid. At this point, carefully stir in the butter. Keep stirring and cooking for about 4 minutes or until the butter and sugar are completely combined. Slowly stir in the coconut cream and allow the mixture to come to a gentle boil for about a minute. Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter. Allow to slightly cool down before using. Cover tightly and store for up to 3 months in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove to desired consistency. To serve, lift the tart out of the tart pan and slide onto a platter. Drizzle with caramel sauce. Slice enjoy!