Chocolate flatters the sweetness of pumpkin in this sophisticated alternative to pumpkin pie. A rich layer of melted chocolate keeps the crust crisp.
20 chocolate wafer cookies **
2 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted
1 1/2 cups canned pure pumpkin puree
1 large egg
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, pulse cookies and sugar until finely ground. Add butter; pulse until crumbs are moistened. Using the bottom of a dry measuring cup, press crumbs into bottom (but not sides) of a 9-inch removable-bottom tart pan. Place tart pan on a rimmed baking sheet; bake until set, about 12 minutes.
Pour chocolate onto warm crust; spread with a spatula. Freeze until chocolate is firm, about 5 minutes. Brush sides of tart pan with butter; set aside.
In a bowl, whisk together pumpkin, egg, cream, sugar, maple syrup, pumpkin-pie spice, and salt. Pour filling into prepared crust; bake on a rimmed baking sheet until set, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool 1 hour at room temperature; refrigerate 1 hour (or up to 1 day).
Unmold tart (if sides stick, gently loosen with a knife). With two thin metal spatulas, transfer to a platter.
Prep: 35 minutes
Total: 1 3/4 hours, plus cooling
** The pre-made Oreo pie crust (find them next to the pre-made graham cracker crusts) is the perfect substite. One crust is = to 20 wafers. Bonus: the Oreo crust is cheaper than the wafers and they crumble easily into a bowl so you don’t need a food processor. Add sugar and butter per recipe.
