Truffle Tarts With Raspberries

cookiedog's Note:

I plan on making this for Easter this year. They would also be great for Valentine's Day or other special occasion. This is a Tyler Florence recipe.

• Total Time: 3 hrs 45 mins
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 ½ cups fine chocolate wafer crumbs (from Oreo cookies or chocolate wafers)
• 6 tablespoons melted butter
• 6 fresh raspberries , plus extra
• raspberries , for serving

Dark Chocolate Truffle Filling

• ½ cup heavy cream
• 8 ounces good quality bittersweet chocolate (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Use a fork to mix together the chocolate wafer crumbs and butter. Spray the cups of a 6-muffin tin with a vegetable spray. Line the cups with strips of parchment or waxed paper, cut so that they are as wide as the diameter of each cup and long enough to overhang the sides (you'll need this overhang to remove the tarts). Use the bottom of a small glass to press the crumbs over the bottom and sides of the muffin cups, building the sides up to only about 1 1/2 inches. Place a raspberry in the center of each crust and with a pastry bag or small plastic bag with the corner snipped off, fill the tarts with the truffle mixture (recipe follows). Smooth the tops and refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.
2. Truffle Mixture: In a saucepan, bring the cream just to a simmer over low heat. Pour the cream over the chocolate in a bowl and let stand about 10 minutes to melt the chocolate. Add the vanilla and stir until smooth. Set aside to cool for 1 hour at room temperature. Then beat the chocolate at medium speed until it gets thick and light colored.