A cocoa crust, chocolate-cream filling and shards of dark chocolate play off the bananas’ creamy sweetness. For best results, chill the filled tart before topping it with the bananas; otherwise, the filling may be too soft to hold the fruit up well.

Ingredients

For the crust

8-1/4 oz. (1-3/4 cups) all-purpose flour; more for dusting
3-1/2 oz. (3/4 cup plus 2 Tbs.) confectioners’ sugar
1-3/4 oz. (7 Tbs.) sifted cocoa, preferably Dutch process
6 oz. (12 Tbs.) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
2 large eggs, 1 separated
Cooking spray
1 oz. melted dark (70%) chocolate

TIP:
This recipe makes enough dough for two tart crusts; use one now and freeze the other for a delicious tart in your future.

For the filling

1 cup whole milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 vanilla bean or 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract or paste
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1-1/2 Tbs. cornstarch
1 Tbs. unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 oz. warm melted dark chocolate
1/2 cup whipping or heavy cream
For topping and finishing the tart

4 medium bananas
2 Tbs. granulated sugar
Dark chocolate shards, for garnish (video: How to Make Chocolate Shards)

Directions

Make the dough

1. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, butter, and salt. Mix on low speed until the butter begins to break up, about 1 minute. Increase the speed to just below medium and continue beating until the mixture looks sandy with butter pieces the size of tiny pebbles, about 2 minutes more.

2. Turn the mixer off and add the whole egg and egg yolk (reserve the remaining white). Mix on low speed until the eggs are fully incorporated. Increase the speed to medium and mix just until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl, about 30 seconds. Do not overmix.

3. Divide the dough in half, press each half into a disk about 4 inches across, and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 1 disk for at least 3 hours and up to 24 hours. (Freeze the other disk for up to a month; thaw in the refrigerator before using.)

Shape and bake the crust

1. Lightly flour a work surface and a rolling pin. Spray a 9-1/2- to 11-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom with cooking spray.

2. Working quickly, roll the dough disk into a 1/8-inch-thick round. Transfer the dough to the tart pan and gently coax it into the pan, allowing the excess dough to hang over the sides. Roll the rolling pin over the top of the pan to cut off the excess dough. Patch any tears or cracks with the scraps. Refrigerate the crust for at least 20 minutes or freeze for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 375°F.

3. Line the crust with parchment paper and fill it to the very top with beans or pie weights. Bake until the edges are golden, 18 to 20 minutes. Carefully remove the weights and paper. Bake until the center of the crust looks dry and is just beginning to color, about 5 minutes.

4. Beat the reserved egg white. Brush the inside of the crust with some of the egg white (you won’t need it all) and return the crust to the oven until the egg white has dried, about 2 minutes. (This prevents the crust from getting soggy once you add the filling.) Cool completely on a rack.

5. Brush the interior of the cooled crust with the melted chocolate. Let it set for a few minutes in the fridge before proceeding.

Make the pastry cream

1. Combine the milk and 2 Tbs. of the sugar in a 3- to 4-quart saucepan. If using a vanilla bean, split it and scrape the seeds into the milk, then add the pod. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean pod, if using.

2. Meanwhile, in a medium heatproof bowl, whisk the remaining 2 Tbs. sugar with the egg, egg yolk, and cornstarch until smooth, about 1 minute. Whisk half of the hot milk into the egg mixture until combined. Off the heat, whisk the contents of the bowl back into the remaining milk in the saucepan.

3. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture reaches a boil; it will thicken. Continue to cook for another minute past the boil, whisking constantly. Off the heat, whisk in the butter and vanilla paste or extract, if using. Stir a little pastry cream into the melted chocolate to temper it. Fold this back into the rest of the pastry cream. Strain the pastry cream through a medium-mesh sieve into a medium heatproof bowl. Cover with plastic wrap pressed onto the surface of the pastry cream to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.

Fill and top the tart

1. In a medium bowl, beat the cream to stiff peaks with an electric hand mixer or a whisk.

2. Beat the pastry cream to soften and smooth it. With a large spatula, fold the whipped cream into the softened pastry cream until thoroughly combined. Fill the crust with the crème légère, evening it out with the spatula. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before topping with the bananas.

3. Cut the bananas into 1/2-inch slices (you can either cut them lengthwise as shown, or crosswise into rounds or ovals). Arrange the slices on a large foil-lined baking sheet. Working in batches, sprinkle the top of each slice completely with sugar. With a kitchen torch, heat the sugared top until caramelized. Repeat with the remaining slices. Arrange the caramelized bananas on top of the filling. Note that because the filling is soft, you’ll need to work quickly while the filling is cold and more firm. Because it’s hard to move the bananas once they’re on the filling, you may want to practice your pattern on an empty sheet pan before placing it on the tart.

4. Garnish the tart with the chocolate shards. Refrigerate the tart until ready to serve. Serve the tart cold, within 6 hours of topping.

Variations

You can make four 4-1/2-inch tarts (shown here) from one batch of filling and one dough disk. Reduce the baking time for the crusts, and fill the crusts two-thirds full.