Passion Fruit & Dark Chocolate Mini Tarts (With Macaron)
Andrea Reiss, adapted by JojoM
Zesty passion fruit cream in a crisp chocolate tart shell, topped with silky chocolate–passion fruit ganache and a sesame-kissed macaron. Elegant, make-ahead patisserie.
Passion Fruit & Dark Chocolate Mini Tarts 🍫🥭
Zesty, silky, and visually stunning — these Passion Fruit & Dark Chocolate Mini Tarts are a masterclass in French patisserie elegance. Crisp pâte sucrée cacao tart shells cradle a tangy passion fruit cream, topped with a glossy chocolate–passion fruit ganache and finished with a sesame-dusted macaron. Each bite balances bright acidity and deep cocoa richness, making them the perfect make-ahead dessert for elegant dinners or festive occasions.
Why You’ll Love This Dessert 💛
- Vibrant & Refined — the tangy fruit cuts through rich chocolate like sunshine through silk.
- Professional finish — each tart is topped with a glossy ganache and golden macaron.
- Make-ahead friendly — every element can be prepared in advance for effortless assembly.
- Perfect for gifting or entertaining — bite-sized luxury that impresses every guest.
Behind the Flavour ✨
This recipe was inspired by L'École du Grand Chocolat Valrhona, where pastry masters like Frédéric Bau perfected the art of pairing passion fruit’s zesty sharpness with smooth dark chocolate. The macaron topper adds both visual height and a delicate crunch — think of it as a playful nod to haute patisserie.
The secret to success lies in the emulsification technique: cooling the curd slightly before adding butter creates a silky, aerated texture that melts on the tongue. And don’t skip the macaron — its sesame crunch balances the tart’s creamy richness beautifully.
Step-by-Step Experience 🍴
🥧 1. Crafting the Perfect Chocolate Tart Shell
Start with a classic chocolate sweet paste (pâte sucrée cacao) — buttery yet crisp. After chilling and blind-baking, the shells become the sturdy, melt-in-your-mouth foundation for your vibrant filling.
🍋 2. Making the Passion Fruit Cream
The curd is where the magic happens — a luscious mix of passion fruit juice, eggs, and butter, cooked gently until thick, then whipped smooth for that luxurious French patisserie sheen.
🍫 3. Blending the Chocolate–Passion Fruit Ganache
Smooth milk chocolate meets passion fruit purée, then butter, blended at the perfect temperature to create a rich, glossy finish.
🍥 4. Baking the Macaron Garnish
These petite macarons — tinted in sunshine yellow and sprinkled with black sesame — bring texture, beauty, and balance. The Italian meringue method ensures perfect feet and glossy shells.
🎩 5. Assembly & Final Touches
Fill the cooled tart shells, freeze briefly, then finish with a tempered dark chocolate square and macaron topper. A hint of gold leaf transforms each tart into a miniature patisserie jewel.
Pro Tips from the Patisserie 🧑🍳
✨ Emulsify at the right temperature (35–40°C) — this ensures the cream stays glossy and stable.
🍫 Temper your chocolate squares — for that crisp, professional finish.
🥶 Chill between stages — gives you control and precision when assembling.
🌤️ Dry your macarons just until matte — prevents cracks and guarantees even “feet.”
Perfect Pairings 🍷
- Espresso or Cappuccino – balances the tart’s tang and ganache sweetness.
- Sparkling Moscato – for a playful dessert pairing.
- Vanilla bean whipped cream – adds lightness to the plate.
Chef’s Reflection 🎨
This dessert represents the contrast that defines modern patisserie — bright and bold yet smooth and sophisticated. Each tart tells a story: tropical sunshine meeting the elegance of French chocolate craftsmanship.
Whether for an intimate dinner or a grand soirée, these tarts will leave guests in awe — and wondering where you trained in Paris. 🇫🇷
Recipe by Andrea Reiss, adapted by JojoM ✨
Passion Fruit & Dark Chocolate Mini Tarts (With Macaron)
Andrea Reiss, adapted by JojoMZesty passion fruit cream in a crisp chocolate tart shell, topped with silky chocolate–passion fruit ganache and a sesame-kissed macaron. Elegant, make-ahead patisserie.
Chef's Tips
For best texture, emulsify the passion fruit cream when it cools to 35–40°C before adding butter.
Bake tart shells fully (dry to the touch) to keep them crisp once filled.
Cook the Italian meringue syrup to 121°C for stable macaron shells.
Let piped macarons dry until just matte before baking for clean feet.
Chill filled tart shells briefly in the freezer to set the cream before garnishing.
Temper chocolate if possible when attaching the macaron to keep the garnish neat.
Tools Used
Rolling Pin
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Ingredients
Chocolate Sweet Paste (Tart Shells)
Passion Fruit Cream
Chocolate–Passion Fruit Ganache
Macaron Shells (Garnish)
Assembly & Garnish
Instructions
Make the Chocolate Sweet Paste
- 1
Sift flour, cocoa, and salt. In a mixer with paddle, cream butter and sugar until smooth.
- 2
Beat in the whole egg and yolk (the mix may look split—this is fine).
- 3
Add sifted dry ingredients and mix just until the dough comes together.
- 4
Flatten to ~2 cm thick, wrap, and chill for at least 3 hours.
- 5
Rest at room temperature ~20 minutes, then roll 2–3 mm thick.
- 6
Cut 12 cm circles and line 8 cm tart moulds; dock lightly and add baking beans.
- 7
Blind bake at 155°C/300°F for ~20 minutes until dry and set. Cool completely.
Cook the Passion Fruit Cream
- 1
Bring passion fruit juice to a boil.
- 2
Whisk sugar, whole eggs, yolks, and custard powder until smooth.
- 3
Temper with a little hot juice, return to pan, and whisk to a boil; cook 2 minutes until very thick.
- 4
Transfer to a bowl and cool to 35–40°C (95–104°F).
- 5
Emulsify in the butter with a hand mixer until glossy. Cover with cling film touching the surface and chill overnight.
Make the Chocolate–Passion Fruit Ganache
- 1
Boil the passion fruit purée and pour over milk chocolate; sit 1 minute, then stir smooth.
- 2
When 35°C (95°F), blend in butter with an immersion blender. Cover surface and leave to set overnight at room temperature.
- 3
Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a round nozzle.
Bake Macaron Shells
- 1
Cook water and caster sugar to 121°C (250°F). While it heats, start whisking the first batch of egg whites to soft peaks.
- 2
Stream hot syrup onto the whisking whites; whip to a stiff, glossy meringue at ~35°C. Tint yellow.
- 3
Sift almond meal, icing sugar, and optional passion fruit powder over the second batch of egg whites; mix to a paste.
- 4
Fold meringue into the paste (macaronage) until the batter ribbons slowly.
- 5
Pipe 2.5 cm rounds on Silpat; sprinkle sesame seeds. Rest ~20 minutes until just matte.
- 6
Bake at 130°C (266°F) for 15–18 minutes. Cool, pair, and fill lightly with ganache.
Assemble the Tarts
- 1
Pipe or spoon passion fruit cream into tart shells; level tops. Freeze ~1 hour to firm.
- 2
Set a tempered dark chocolate square near each tart’s rim.
- 3
Dip the base edge of a macaron in melted dark chocolate and fix onto the square; add a touch of gold leaf.
- 4
Refrigerate to thaw, then serve at room temperature for best texture.
Comments & Reviews
Lena P.
10/12/2025
Made these for a dinner party—crisp shell, bright curd, and the macaron topper stole the show!
Marco
10/12/2025
Followed weights exactly. Emulsifying the cream at 36°C made it ultra-smooth. Keeper.
Ayesha
10/12/2025
Macaron feet were perfect at 130°C after a 25-minute dry time in my humid kitchen.
Tom R.
10/12/2025
Not difficult, just multi-step. I prepped the shells and cream a day ahead—stress-free plating.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 mini tart (of 25)
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
