Remember Cupcake Camp? That is where I first encountered the mini beauty that is the white velvet cupcake from The Chocolate Tarte. Yes you read that right: a white velvet cupcake. It was made with a velvet cake (just like red velvet but without the red dye) and luscious buttercream frosting. I’ve been thinking about that cupcake since then. Last week we met again, and I was re-introduced to an old friend, tequila.
I was invited to a small dessert tasting at The Chocolate Tarte (thanks to Elizabeth for coordinating everything!) and we had some delectable chocolate goodies: there were tarts, cupcakes, gourmet chocolates, truffles, cake and brownies galore.
cute mini cupcakes: red velvet, chocolate, and white velvet
fudgy brownies
different kinds of gourmet chocolate (some were alcohol-infused)
and I fell in love with the ones with tequila!
I don’t usually think of tequila as a good pairing with chocolate; I’m more used to sweeter rum or brandy-infused chocolates. But these pretty white chocolate tequila babies had just the right amount of subtle duskiness from the tequila, with a very mild bite from the alcohol, and an overall smoothness. Sometimes I think of tequila and I associate it with rowdy parties and strong margaritas, but this did not remind me of those. This was all classy and sophisticated, the Patron of chocolates.
the silkiest, sexiest, cocoa-dusted dark chocolate truffles
These truffles were pure decadence. Linda Hein, owner The Chocolate Tarte, uses only the purest ingredients: she mixes chocolate and cream (that’s it, nothing else), hand rolls each truffle center, and then dips each one, again by hand, into more chocolate and finally coat it in a bitter chocolate powder. The end result is a little ball of sin (or rather, heaven).
rosemary-chocolate tarts
and a beautiful red velvet cake - look at that icing!
I also had a taste of SoCo Creamery ice cream. I tried the Mission fig flavor and it tasted fresh and light – words I would not usually use to describe ice cream, but this ice cream was really refreshing, and offered a little flavor deviation from all the chocolate.
The Chocolate Tarte does a lot of custom orders and dessert catering, but you can also visit their store in Somerville. So aside from Bergamot and Posto, I now have another Somerville destination to frequent.
And it was great seeing fellow bloggers as usual, and letting my chocoholic freak flag fly. It was definitely a sweet night to hang out with Elizabeth, Emily, Megan, Justin, Amanda, Kathy, Pam, and finally meeting Michelle!
we didn't plan on all wearing white
Thank you again to Linda for having us. The treats were all decadent, and I couldn’t get enough of the white velvet cupcake, the classic truffle, and of course the chocolate with tequila. Te-qui-la!
Have you ever had chocolate with tequila?
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
That looks like an amazing night! Now I need to try some tequila/chocolate combo… I’ve never had that before!
This was such a great night – and I had almost forgotten to get this post up after being away! So great to see you and eat our weights in frosting!
I have got to find some white velvet treats! I believe that tequila can go with anything. Ha.
Tequila and chocolate? I’d love to try that truffle!
Such a delicious event! I definitely want to try to recreate the white velvet cupcakes. So delicious!
Sounds like the trifecta to me!! Everything looks so delicious!
Um, wow. This whole post has “win” written all over it. I hope you ate all of it. Plus some extra for me. And now, when I visit Boston in August, I will simply HAVE to go to The Chocolate Tarte. It’s a must.
O.M.G. They all look so good…especially that red velvet!
Ha ha. I love that we all wore white without even planning it. Great minds…
This was such a fun event, and I enjoyed getting to try those cupcakes again as well as find out I had some new favorite treats there… like the chocolate rosemary tartes.
Wow what a great selection of treats! Everything looks so good!
Thanks for the shoutout – it was lovely to finally meet you as well! I’m still dreaming about those rosemary tartes…I can’t wait to go back!
Holy God that all looks so freaking delicious. Chocolate, how I love thee! Tequila and chocolate? not sure how I would feel about that but I do enjoy both separatley!
What a fun night that must have been! Those cupcakes are making my mouth water.
I used to walk by them on the way to the somerville winter farmers’ market. Who knew they had such saucy treats!
Oh wow everything looks so delicious, I would have loved to have gone! The red velvet cake at the end looks out of this world. I’ve never tried chocolate with tequilla before, will be one I’ll have to add to my list!!
Yum! This looks like a delicious event!
I need for someone to invite me to a dessert tasting!!! Stat!! These all look amazing, and I would LOVE to try the tequila chocolate. So much fun!
Everything looks SO delicious and super pretty, too
I obviously love the idea of tequila in chocolate 
Yum!
Ahhh! I haven’t eaten lunch yet and all of these chocolates and cakes look so good. My mouth is watering!
I’ve never had chocolate and tequila, but last summer I went to a chocolate and beer tasting. I would have never thought to combine the two, but it was a fun experience.
Wow, I’m so jealous. Mainly because I don’t think anything could cure the terrible day I’ve had today more than chocolate and tequila.
this looks like such a fun event! sad to miss it!
All I can say is wow!! Who knew Tequila and Chocolate. I am not sure I would have survived everything. What a fabulously fun event.