Heavenly Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts Recipe: Sweet Magic!

Decadent chocolate salted caramel tarts dance between sweet indulgence and irresistible elegance.

Each bite promises a symphony of rich flavors that melt seamlessly on your tongue.

Layers of silky chocolate intertwine with golden caramel, creating a dessert that whispers luxury.

The delicate balance of salt and sweetness transforms an ordinary moment into a culinary celebration.

Crisp pastry shells cradle smooth chocolate ganache and drizzled caramel with delicate precision.

Crafted with simple ingredients, these tarts deliver complex sensations that will elevate any gathering.

Prepare to embark on a delightful journey of pure dessert magic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 8

Chocolate Salted Caramel Tart Ingredient Lineup

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the delicate pastry base, choose unbleached for the best flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth crust.
• Cold Butter: Creates flaky layers, use high-quality unsalted butter for optimal richness.
• Egg Yolk: Binds the dough and adds richness, ensure it's fresh and at cold temperature.
• Cold Water: Helps bring the dough together without overworking, use filtered water for best results.

• Granulated Sugar: Transforms into golden caramel, use pure cane sugar for deep flavor.
• Butter: Adds creaminess and depth to the caramel, select high-fat European-style butter.
• Heavy Cream: Creates smooth, luxurious texture, opt for full-fat cream.
• Sea Salt: Balances sweetness and adds complexity, choose flaky sea salt for best flavor.

• Chocolate Chips: Provides rich chocolate flavor, use high-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate.
• Heavy Cream: Creates silky smooth ganache, select fresh cream with high fat content.
• Flaky Sea Salt: Enhances chocolate flavor and adds elegant finishing touch.
• Cocoa Powder: Optional garnish for extra chocolate intensity, use Dutch-processed for deeper color.
• Chocolate Shavings: Decorative topping that adds texture and visual appeal.

Tools for Assembling Salted Caramel Tarts

• Food processor: Essential for mixing tart dough quickly and evenly.
• Mini tart pans or large tart pan: Critical for shaping and baking the crust.
• Rolling pin: Needed to roll out the tart dough smoothly.
• Fork: Used to prick the tart base before baking.
• Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and helps with weight distribution during blind baking.
• Pie weights or dried beans: Keeps crust flat during initial baking.
• Saucepan: Necessary for making caramel and heating cream.
• Whisk: Helps blend caramel ingredients and create smooth ganache.
• Spatula: Used for spreading ganache and smoothing surfaces.
• Mixing bowl: Required for preparing ganache and mixing ingredients.
• Sharp knife or grater: Optional for creating chocolate shavings as garnish.

How to Build Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts

• Create the Base

Whip up a buttery crust by blending flour with powdered sugar in a food processor. Toss in cold butter until crumbly, then mix in egg yolk and water. Knead the dough into a smooth disc and chill for half an hour.

• Shape and Bake the Crust

Roll out the chilled dough and press into tart pans. Poke some holes in the bottom, then cover with parchment and weigh down. Bake at 350F until golden and crisp. Let the crusts cool completely.

• Craft the Caramel Magic

Heat sugar in a pan, stirring until it transforms into a rich amber color. Fold in butter and cream carefully – watch out for bubbling! Sprinkle in sea salt and let the caramel cool slightly before pouring into the prepared crusts. Chill until the caramel sets.

• Pour the Chocolate Blanket

Warm cream and pour over chocolate chips. Let it sit briefly, then stir until silky smooth. Drizzle the glossy ganache over the caramel layer, creating a luxurious chocolate topping.

• Final Flourish

Dust with a pinch of flaky sea salt or sprinkle chocolate shavings. Serve these decadent tarts chilled or at room temperature for a truly indulgent dessert experience.

Customize Your Caramel Tarts With These Ideas

• Freeze tart shells for 10 minutes before baking to prevent shrinkage and maintain crisp edges. Cold dough ensures a flakier, more delicate texture.
• Use a light-colored saucepan when making caramel to easily monitor color changes and prevent burning. Stir gently and watch carefully to achieve that perfect amber hue.
• Swap butter with coconut oil and use coconut cream in caramel. Replace heavy cream in ganache with full-fat coconut milk for a vegan-friendly version that doesn't compromise on richness.
• Prepare tart components separately up to 3 days in advance. Store crust, caramel, and ganache separately in the refrigerator, then assemble just before serving for maximum freshness.
• Experiment with different chocolate types like dark, milk, or white chocolate for the ganache. Add a splash of espresso, orange zest, or a hint of bourbon to the caramel for unexpected depth and complexity.

Serve Chocolate Salted Tarts

• Dessert Companion Delights: Pairing Suggestions
• Creamy Coffee Companion: Serve alongside a rich espresso or cappuccino to complement the chocolate's deep flavors and enhance the caramel's sweetness.
• Wine Elegance Match: Pour a glass of sweet dessert wine like Moscato or a ruby port that balances the tart's rich chocolate and caramel notes perfectly.
• Seasonal Garnish Upgrade: Top with fresh seasonal berries like raspberries or strawberries to add a bright, tangy contrast to the decadent chocolate and caramel layers.
• Ice Cream Dream: Add a small scoop of vanilla bean or salted caramel ice cream beside the tart for an extra luxurious dessert experience that elevates the entire presentation.

Keep Your Chocolate Tarts Fresh and Fabulous

• Keep tarts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.
• Prepare tart shells and caramel layer up to 2 days in advance. Add chocolate ganache just before serving to keep the crust crisp and prevent sogginess.
• Wrap individual tarts tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
• Let tarts sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften the ganache slightly and enhance the rich chocolate and caramel flavors.

Dreamy Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Indulgent chocolate salted caramel tarts melt hearts with rich, velvety layers of silky ganache and golden caramel. Crisp chocolate pastry cradles sweet-salty decadence, inviting you to savor each luxurious, heavenly bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ¼ cups (160 g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 large egg yolk
• 12 tbsps cold water
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 6 tbsps (85 g) unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into pieces
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) heavy cream, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp sea salt
• 200 g (7 oz) semi-sweet or dark chocolate, chopped
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) heavy cream
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
• flaky sea salt
• chocolate shavings or cocoa powder (optional)

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Instructions

1. Crust Preparation: Pulse flour, powdered sugar, and cold butter in a food processor until crumbly. Integrate egg yolk and cold water, blending until dough forms. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2. Tart Shell Baking: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Roll out chilled dough and press into tart pans. Pierce base with fork, cover with parchment, and weight with dried beans. Bake 15 minutes, remove weights, then bake additional 5-10 minutes until golden. Cool completely.
3. Caramel Creation: Over medium heat, melt sugar until deep amber. Incorporate butter, whisking carefully. Slowly add heavy cream, causing mixture to bubble. Stir in sea salt and cool slightly before pouring into tart shells. Refrigerate 20-30 minutes until set.
4. Ganache Formation: Bring heavy cream to a gentle simmer. Pour over chocolate chips, allowing to rest 2-3 minutes. Stir until smooth and glossy. Pour over caramel layer, smoothing with spatula.
5. Final Touches: Chill tarts for one hour to firm ganache. Garnish with flaky sea salt, optional chocolate shavings, or cocoa powder dust. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

• Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap to prevent air exposure and maintain moisture. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow gluten to relax and butter to firm up, ensuring a flakier, more tender crust.
• Watch the sugar carefully while caramelizing. Remove from heat immediately when it reaches a deep amber color to prevent burning. Use a light-colored pan to easily monitor color changes during caramelization.
• Use room temperature chocolate and slowly incorporate warm cream to create a smooth, glossy ganache. Stir gently in one direction to avoid air bubbles and ensure a silky texture.
• Experiment with different chocolate percentages or add a splash of vanilla extract to the ganache. Sprinkle high-quality sea salt just before serving to boost the caramel and chocolate flavors.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg