S’mores Tartlets

Little chocolate s’mores pies. YES.

Hi. So, I’ve been going completely nuts trying to decide what to make for Kevin’s upcoming birthday. As a bonafide foodie, I mean dessertie, I can’t deliver a traditional birthday cake. No no. Instead, I need to serve something he will remember forever… or at least until next year’s ridiculously awesome birthday dessert.

Ahhh! What to do?

…

Got it. Little s’mores-y things. Even though I’m sure he’ll feel ridiculous eating something called a “tartlet”, I’ll just say they are reduced-size s’more pies. Yeah. That sounds much more manly. Brilliant.

Lemme tell you a thing or two about this recipe. First of all, I shared it on Delish.com last week. So if you saw it there first and already had the chance to make them, YOU KNOW what I’m talking about when I say these s’mores tartlets… ahem, reduced-size s’more pies… are phenomenal. No, way better than that. Downright heavenly.

The toasted marshmallow topping is enough to send you into dessert oblivion. Bye.

(You will not be returning.)

You’re probably going to look at me/your screen like I’m crazy when I say that these are actually VERY simple. They really really are. The crust? 3 ingredients. The chocolate filling? 3 ingredients. The marshmallow topping? 4 ingredients. The hardest part, if that, is the marshmallow topping. But even the topping is something a beginner baker can make.

With so little ingredients in these s’mores tartlets, it’s important that each one is used. I get a bazillion questions about ingredient subs– and usually there is wiggle room– but it’s imperative this recipe is made as written to have the best possible result.

Let me quickly break down each layer.

1. Graham cracker crust – you know exactly how to make my favorite graham cracker crust by now. Press the crust into tartlet pans. If you do not have individual tartlet pans, use a cupcake pan– and make sure you use cupcake wrappers! You can also make this into a 9-inch tart using a tart pan.

2. Chocolate ganache filling – two easy steps. First, heat cream. Second, pour hot cream over chopped chocolate + butter. These three ingredients make a smooth, rich, almost illegal tasting chocolate filling. See what I mean?

3. Marshmallow topping – it tastes like fluffy, puffy, cloud-like, sweet marshmallows. The topping is similar to marshmallow creme, but isn’t quite as dense. It’s fluffy and airy–just like marshmallows– and is made from gently heating and whisking sugar, egg whites, and cream of tartar.

Cream of tartar is used for three imperative reasons. First, it stabilizes the egg whites; it’s a crucial ingredient in making things like meringue topping. Second, the cream of tartar allows the egg whites to maintain their texture when whipped into stiff peaks. You see the pretty peaks on these s’mores tartlets? That’s the cream of tartar doing its job! One more reason. The cream of tartar increases the egg whites’ tolerance to heat, which is very helpful if you toast the marshmallow topping like I did.

I used my handy kitchen torch to toast the topping. That’s optional!

Ladies and gents, we’ve found a birthday dessert winner!! Obviously.

PS: I was a little impatient and didn’t wait the full 2 hours to chill the pictured tartlets (more like 1 hour), so that’s why they don’t look completely set!

Follow me on Instagram and tag #sallysbakingaddiction so I can see all the SBA recipes you make. ♥

S'mores Tartlets

Yield: 8 tartlets

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours, 45 minutes

These mini chocolate ganache-marshmallow tarts won't have you missing a campfire.

Print Recipe

Ingredients:

Crust

• 1 and 1/2 cups (150g) graham cracker crumbs (about 10 full sheet graham crackers)
• 6 Tablespoons (87g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/3 cup (67g) granulated sugar

Filling

• 12 ounces (339g) semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream or heavy whipping cream

Meringue Topping

• 2 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar¹
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Special Equipment

• eight 3 or 4-inch individual tartlet pans²

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
2. Make the crust:  Click here for some handy graham cracker crust tips before you get started. Using a food processor or blender, grind graham crackers into crumbs. (Alternatively, you can crush them in a plastic bag with a rolling pin.) In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar with a rubber spatula until combined. (The mixture will be thick, coarse, and sandy.) Press crumbs evenly into each tartlet pan, making sure the crust is tight and compact. Pre-bake crusts for 10 minutes, then let cool.
3. Make the filling: Place chocolate and butter in a large bowl and set aside. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, heat heavy cream. Whisking constantly, bring to a slow boil. Once it begins to boil, immediately remove from heat and pour over chocolate. Using a wooden spoon, slowly stir until chocolate and butter are completely melted and ganache is smooth.
4. Pour the filling evenly into each crust and place each tartlet pan in the refrigerator. Chill at least 2 hours (and up to 1-2 days) or until completely firm.
5. Just before serving, prepare meringue topping: Place egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar in the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer. Set bowl over a saucepan filled with two inches of simmering water. Whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved and egg whites are warm to the touch, about 4 minutes. (See photo above.) Transfer the mixing bowl to an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat on high speed for 4 to 5 minutes until soft, glossy peaks form. (See photo above.) Add vanilla and beat on high just until combined.
6. Remove tartlets from the refrigerator. Spread marshmallow topping on each. Toast the topping with a kitchen torch³ if desired. Serve immediately. Any leftover tarts keep well in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days.
7. Make ahead tip: Prepare tarts through step 4 and keep the tarts in the refrigerator for up to 2 days as instructed in step 4.

Recipe Notes:

1. Cream of tartar is necessary to make the marshmallow topping for both stabilization and texture. There are no alternatives.
2. I recommend individual pans because the tarts are a little hard to remove from the pans for serving. So, I serve them in the individual pans. Here is the set I own. (Also here and here.) If you do not have individual tartlet pans, use a cupcake pan to make about 16 tartlets-- and make sure you use cupcake wrappers! You can also make this into a 9-inch tart using a tart pan. It will be easy to slice and remove from the full size tart pan! Pre-bake crust for 10 minutes no matter which size you use.
3. Do not toast the topping in the oven. The ganache will melt and the topping will lose some shape. You need quick, instant heat from a torch. Again, it is optional to toast the topping.

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