FEATURE RECIPE
Chocolate and hazelnut pithiviers

Chocolate and hazelnut pithiviers

Serves 6



100 gm   hazelnuts, roasted and skins removed
110 gm (½ cup)   caster sugar
250 gm   dark chocolate (64.5% cocoa solids)
180 ml   pouring cream
500 gm   butter puff pastry
1   egg, lightly beaten with 1 tbsp milk
To serve:   whipped or double cream


1 Spread hazelnuts on a lightly oiled tray. Combine sugar and 2 tbsp water in a small saucepan and stir over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves, bring to the boil and cook for 5-6 minutes or until dark golden in colour, then pour over nuts and stand for 10 minutes or until caramel hardens. Break into small pieces and process in a food processor until finely ground. Store praline in an airtight container until required.
2 Combine chocolate and cream in a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth. Add praline, stir to combine, then remove from heat and refrigerate for 2 hours or until just firm.
3 Preheat oven to 180C. Halve puff pastry and roll each piece to 4mm thick, then place on baking paper-lined trays and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Cut a 20cm-diameter round from each piece of pastry, then place a round on a baking paper-lined oven tray. Spread chocolate mixture over pastry, leaving a 2cm border, brush edges with eggwash, then place remaining round of pastry over chocolate mixture, pressing to seal. Using a fork, press firmly around edges, score top and brush with eggwash. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until dark golden in colour, then remove from oven and cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature, with cream passed separately.


Drink Suggestion Pedro Ximénez sherry.

RECIPE Emma Knowles PHOTOGRAPHY Chris Chen STYLING Emma Knowles DRINK SUGGESTION Max Allen


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