Christmas

Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Tart

October 30, 2017
4.7
3 Ratings
Photo by Rocky Luten
  • Makes 10-12 slices
Author Notes

This chocolate peanut butter tart is a grown up, supremely satisfying answer to the (non-vegan) Reese’s peanut butter cups that were my all-time childhood favorites—the candies I cherished and saved carefully for last in my bucket of loot each October.

Note: For the vegan butter, I always use Earth Balance. If you use coconut oil in the crust, add 1/2 teaspoon salt to the dough. Also, I used Tofutti cream cheese (which you can find in any Whole Foods), but any health food grocer will probably carry a few vegan cream cheese brands. —Gena Hamshaw

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Ingredients
  • For the crust
  • 10 tablespoons (140 grams) vegan butter (room temperature) or solid coconut oil*
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) cane sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cups (180 grams) unbleached, all purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (24 grams) cocoa powder
  • For the filling and glaze
  • 1 cup (190 grams) creamy peanut butter (Jif or Skippy is fine!)
  • 8 ounces (227 grams) vegan cream cheese
  • 1 5.4-ounce can coconut cream (or the cream from a can of coconut milk, but be very careful to use it straight from the fridge and drain off the extra liquid—you’re aiming to use the cream only)
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 4 ounces (113 grams) vegan dark chocolate, chopped
  • 1/2 cup non-dairy milk (coconut, almond, and soy all work well)
  • 2 tablespoons cane sugar
Directions
  1. To make the crust, preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the butter and cane sugar in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on low speed for a minute, then add the vanilla. In two batches, add the flour and cocoa powder. When the dough is evenly mixed, turn off the mixer and form the dough into a ball. Flatten it to a disk and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until it’s slightly firm.
  2. Roll the dough into a large circle and transfer the circle to a nonstick tart pan. It’s fine if the dough breaks as you move it; it’s supposed to be similar to sugar cookie dough in texture. If this happens, just arrange pieces of the dough in the tart pan rather than transferring it in a perfect circle. Use the heels and palms of your hands to spread the dough into an even layer along the bottom and sides of the pan. Use a fork to prick the bottom of tart (about 8-10 pricks), then transfer the tart to the oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the shell looks dry and solid throughout. Remove the shell from the oven and allow it to cool entirely.
  3. To make the peanut butter filling, blend the peanut butter, cream cheese, coconut cream, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and sea salt in a blender or food processor until smooth. Pour the filling into the tart shell, then transfer the tart to the fridge and allow it to chill for at least 3 hours and up to overnight.
  4. To make the glaze, warm the milk and sugar in a small saucepan till they’re hot but not yet simmering. Pour the hot milk over the chocolate and stir until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is glossy. Pour the glaze over the top of the tart, stopping when it reaches, but doesn’t cover, the edges of the tart shell. Transfer the tart back to the fridge and chill for at least 1 hour, or until the top is set. Slice and serve.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

13 Reviews

janetsemail@me.com November 23, 2021
So just made this but haven’t tasted yet. I will definitely use a 9.5” tart pan next time. 8” ended up with extra dough and crust was a bit thick. Also ended up with extra filling.
To crust comments - I used earth balance and bobs 1:1 gluten free flour and it turned out great.
janetsemail@me.com November 22, 2021
Wondering if you used unsweetened baking chocolate or a sweetened dark chocolate for the glaze? Thanks!
Eden P. December 25, 2017
Really, really loved this recipe, but I am a pretty good baker and the crust was a challenge! I would probably use butter and not coconut oil next time...tried to cook it and it was a disaster. Thankfully there are no eggs, so I just put it in the fridge and it wasn't a total loss. Filling was delicious though!
Claire T. December 3, 2017
The filling was delicious but has anyone else had an issue with the crust? I used coconut oil and the other ingredients and it did not work out!
Shannon R. November 26, 2017
This was a Thanksgiving hit for vegans and non vegans alike! Thank you Gena- love all your recipes
A November 22, 2017
Has anyone tried making this in a non-vegan version?
andrea D. February 26, 2018
I would be interested in that too
Eats Y. November 6, 2017
Wow! This is really a good photo and easy recipe. Will try out soon.
Ren November 5, 2017
I would like to know the tart pan size as well. Thanks
Gena H. November 7, 2017
8 inches worked for me!
janetsemail@me.com November 21, 2021
Would it work with a 9.5” tart pan using the same quantities?
Joe November 1, 2017
May I ask what size tart pan do you use?
Gena H. November 7, 2017
I used 8 inches!