Chocolate Raspberry Meringue Tart

Scarlet threads of freeze-dried raspberry powder and streaks of bittersweet chocolate add richness and flair to this fluffy-topped meringue tart. It does take time to make, but many of the steps can be done in advance, and this stunning, intensely fruity confection is well worth planning for.

For the tart dough

1 3⁄4 cups plus 2 tablespoons (235 grams) all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling dough

1⁄3 cup (40 grams) powdered sugar Pinch of salt

1⁄2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter,

cold and cubed

1 large egg, lightly beaten

For the filling

2 cups (260 grams) frozen (or

fresh) raspberries

1⁄2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters)

freshly squeezed lemon juice 3 egg yolks

1 large egg

6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted

butter, cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces Pinch of salt

For the meringue

3⁄4 cup (20 grams) freeze-dried

raspberries

1 tablespoon unsweetened

Dutch-processed cocoa powder 1 ounce bittersweet chocolate,

coarsely chopped

4 egg whites, at room temperature 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar 1⁄4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Pinch of salt

Instructions: Start by making the tart dough. Place the flour, sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to combine. Add butter and pulse until a coarse meal forms. Add egg and pulse just until a crumbly dough comes together. If the dough seems dry, drizzle in a teaspoon or two of water. Press dough into a disk, wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour or overnight (or up to 5 days).

Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to thickness (about an 11-inch round). Place dough into a 9-inch tart pan, folding the extra dough in over the edges to build up the sides. Prick bottom of dough all over with a fork; chill in freezer for at least 30 minutes and up to 48 hours. (Cover lightly with plastic wrap if freezing for more than a couple of hours.)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line the tart crust with foil, and fill with baking weights or dried rice or beans. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and weights and continue to bake until shell is light golden, another 15-20 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool.

Prepare the filling:In a medium saucepan, combine raspberries and sugar over medium heat. Cook, stirPour ring, until berries break down, 5-8 minutes. Remove pan from heat, stir in lemon juice and use a fork or wooden spoon to mash raspberries to a puree.

In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks and egg. Slowly add 1⁄4 cup of hot raspberry puree to egg mixture, whisking constantly. Slowly drizzle the egg-raspberry mixture back into the saucepan with remaining puree, whisking constantly to keep eggs from cooking. Turn the heat to mediumlow, and add butter and a pinch of salt to the pan. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens enough to coat a spoon, about 7-9 minutes.

Strain the mixture through a finemesh sieve, pressing hard on the solids, into a bowl. Allow to stand for 5 minutes, then whisk briefly to smooth.

raspberry filling into the tart shell. Bake until filling is set (it should jiggle only slightly in the center), about 14-22 minutes. Remove tart from oven and increase oven temperature to 400 degrees.

Start preparing the meringue: Using a blender or food processor, blend the freeze-dried raspberries until you get a fine powder speckled with seeds.

(The seeds won’t break down so don’t even try.) Set aside 1 tablespoon of raspberry powder for garnish. Combine cocoa powder with remaining raspberry powder to use for the meringue.

Place chocolate in heatproof bowl, and melt in microwave in 10-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth. Set aside. (Or you can melt the chocolate in a pot on the stove over low heat, stirring constantly.)

Fill a medium pot with 1 inch of water and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. In a large metal bowl, whisk together egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar and salt. Set the mixing bowl with the egg white mixture into the pot above the water, and whisk constantly by hand until sugar dissolves and mixture is warm (160 degrees on an instant thermometer) and has thickened and lightened in color, 5-7 minutes. Remove bowl from heat. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium-low speed and gradually increase speed to high, until mixture is thick and fluffy, and stiff peaks form, about 5-8 minutes. Be careful not to overbeat.

Sprinkle raspberry-cocoa mixture on top of meringue. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in mixture 2-3 times to halfway incorporate, but remains very streaky. (Do not overmix.) Drizzle melted chocolate into meringue and gently fold until just combined and still streaky. Take care not to deflate the meringue very much. (It will deflate somewhat.)

Spread the meringue over the hot filling, making sure it meets the edges of the crust. Using a knife or spatula, swirl in a design. Bake until lightly browned, about 7-10 minutes.

Allow to cool completely and sprinkle the top with a little of the reserved raspberry powder. (Save the extra to perk up oatmeal, smoothies and peanut butter sandwiches.)

Notes: The dough, filling and raspberry powder can be prepared up to five days ahead, then make the meringue just before the tart is baked. It’s at its best served on the same day as baking.

Makes 8 servings