Chocolate Tart With Cherry-Vodka Sauce

Ingredients

• For the crust
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted ( 1 stick)
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 vanilla bean, halved, seeds scraped, bean reserved
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• For the filling
• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces ( 1/2 stick)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• For the cherry-vodka sauce
• 4 cups fresh cherries or 2 (10 ounce) bags frozen cherries
• 1/2 cup vodka
• 6 tablespoons granulated sugar

Directions

For the crust

1. Heat the oven to 350 degreesF and arrange a rack in the middle.
2. Combine butter, sugar, vanilla seeds, and salt in a large bowl and stir until evenly incorporated.
3. Add flour and stir until just combined and a soft dough forms.
4. Sprinkle dough over the bottom of a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom.
5. Using a measuring cup or your fingers, evenly press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the pan (flour the cup occasionally to prevent sticking).
6. Cover the tart shell with plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
7. Once chilled, prick it all over with a fork and bake until golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.

For the filling

1. Place chocolate and butter in a medium bowl; set aside.
2. Combine cream, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves and liquid is just at a simmer, about 4 minutes.
3. Pour cream mixture over chocolate and butter and let sit until melted, about 4 minutes. Gently stir until smooth.
4. Pour ganache into the cooled tart shell and transfer to the refrigerator.
5. Chill until set, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

For the cherry-vodka sauce

1. Place cherries, vodka, sugar, and reserved vanilla bean from the crust in a small saucepan over medium-high heat and stir to combine.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until cherries start to break down and syrup has thickened, about 50 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and let cool.
4. Serve with slices of tart.