The Most Heavenly Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts Recipe Ever

Sweet meets salty in this irresistible chocolate salted caramel tarts creation that promises pure indulgence.

Layers of rich, velvety chocolate meld perfectly with gooey caramel, creating a symphony of decadent flavors.

Crisp pastry shells cradle a luxurious filling that melts delicately on your tongue.

Each bite delivers an elegant dance of contrasting tastes and textures.

Crafted with simple ingredients, these tarts look like professional bakery masterpieces but come together effortlessly in your kitchen.

A sprinkle of sea salt adds unexpected depth and complexity to the dessert.

You’ll want to savor every single morsel of this seriously addictive treat.

Why Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts Are Sweet And Decadent

• Create Stunning Dessert Centerpiece: These chocolate salted caramel tarts transform an ordinary gathering into an elegant culinary experience with minimal professional baking skills required.
• Quick and Impressive Preparation: The recipe takes roughly 2 hours total, including chilling times, making it perfect for weekend baking or unexpected dinner party desserts without consuming entire day in kitchen.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Suitable for various occasions like birthdays, dinner parties, or casual weekend treats, these tarts appeal to both chocolate and caramel lovers with their luxurious balanced flavors and professional-looking presentation.
• Indulgent Texture Combination: Delivers multiple sensory experiences through crisp buttery crust, smooth salted caramel layer, rich chocolate ganache, and delicate sea salt garnish, creating a complex yet harmonious dessert adventure.

Ingredients Needed For Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts

• All-Purpose Flour: Essential for creating a sturdy and crisp tart shell with a delicate texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps in browning the crust.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates a flaky, tender crust. Cold butter is crucial for the right texture.
• Egg Yolk: Helps bind the dough and adds richness to the crust.
• Cold Water: Helps bring the dough together without overworking it.

• Granulated Sugar: The base for creating a deep amber caramel with rich flavor.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds creaminess and depth to the caramel sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth, luxurious texture in the caramel.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm, aromatic undertone to the caramel.
• Sea Salt: Balances the sweetness and adds a sophisticated flavor profile.

• Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth, glossy chocolate topping.
• Dark Chocolate: Provides rich, intense chocolate flavor. Choose high-quality chocolate for best results.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds shine and silky texture to the ganache.

• Flaky Sea Salt: Adds a final flavor punch and decorative touch.
• Chocolate Shavings, Cocoa Powder: Optional decorative elements for visual appeal.

How To Make Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts

Step 1: Create Delectable Tart Base

• Flour
• Sugar
• Salt
• Cold butter

Pulse until the mixture looks like rough crumbs. Add egg yolk and cold water, blending until the dough barely comes together. Wrap the dough in plastic and chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.

Roll out the dough and press into tart pans. Prick the bottom with a fork. Line with parchment paper and add pie weights. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes. Remove weights and continue baking for 5-7 minutes until golden brown. Let the shells cool completely.

Step 2: Craft Luxurious Salted Caramel

• Butter
• Heavy cream
• Vanilla extract
• Sea salt

The mixture will bubble dramatically – don’t panic! Stir until smooth and glossy. Pour caramel into cooled tart shells, filling halfway. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.

Step 3: Whip Up Silky Chocolate Ganache

Heat heavy cream until it just starts to simmer. Pour over chopped chocolate in a bowl. Let sit for 2-3 minutes, then stir until completely smooth. Incorporate butter until well combined. Pour ganache over the caramel layer, creating a sleek finish. Refrigerate until firm.

Step 4: Final Flourish

Sprinkle with delicate flaky sea salt. Add a dusting of chocolate shavings or cocoa powder for extra pizzazz. For ultimate indulgence, serve alongside fresh berries or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.

Pro Tips For Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts

• Chill Dough Effectively: Wrap the pastry disc tightly in plastic wrap to prevent drying and ensure a flaky, tender crust that doesn't crack during rolling.
• Prevent Soggy Shells: Blind bake the tart shells completely and let them cool fully before adding caramel to maintain a crisp, sturdy base that won't become wet.
• Master Caramel Technique: Watch sugar carefully while melting, stirring gently to avoid crystallization and achieve a rich, deep amber color without burning.
• Control Ganache Texture: Let chocolate and cream sit briefly before stirring to create a smooth, glossy ganache without introducing air bubbles or graininess.
• Enhance Flavor Variations: Experiment with different chocolate percentages or add a hint of espresso powder to deepen the chocolate's complexity and complement the salted caramel.

How To Store Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts

• Refrigerate the chocolate salted caramel tarts in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Protect the delicate tarts by placing parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking or smudging.
• Keep them in the coldest part of your refrigerator, away from strong-smelling foods that might affect their delicate flavor.
• For longer storage, freeze the tarts wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 weeks.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to maintain their incredible texture and taste.
• Avoid leaving these tarts at room temperature for more than 2 hours, as the caramel and ganache can become too soft and lose their beautiful structure.

Perfect Drinks To Serve With Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Choose a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, which complements the rich chocolate and caramel flavors, creating a luxurious dessert experience that balances the tart's sweetness with wine's complex tannic notes.
• Match with Espresso or Strong Coffee: Brew a dark, intense espresso or French press coffee to cut through the tart's richness, enhancing the chocolate's depth and providing a perfect bitter counterpoint to the sweet caramel layers.
• Combine with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream alongside the tart, creating a delightful temperature and texture contrast that elevates the dessert's indulgent profile and provides a cool, smooth accompaniment.
• Enhance with Salted Caramel Liqueur: Pour a small glass of salted caramel liqueur as a complementary drink, which mirrors the tart's flavor profile and adds an extra layer of sophisticated sweetness to the dessert experience.

Tart Variations To Try With Chocolate Salted Caramel

• Nutty Chocolate Caramel Crunch: Replace plain tart shells with graham cracker crust mixed with crushed toasted almonds. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top of ganache for extra texture and nutty flavor.
• Espresso Chocolate Caramel Edition: Add 1 tablespoon of strong espresso powder into chocolate ganache. Drizzle coffee liqueur over tarts before serving for deeper, richer taste profile.
• Raspberry Dark Chocolate Fusion: Swirl fresh raspberry puree into caramel layer. Top ganache with fresh raspberries and dark chocolate curls for vibrant color and tangy contrast.
• Salted Caramel White Chocolate Remix: Replace dark chocolate ganache with white chocolate version. Incorporate orange zest into caramel for subtle citrus undertone and garnish with candied orange peel.

Questions About Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts

• What makes the salted caramel so special in this tart?

The combination of caramelized sugar, butter, and sea salt creates a rich, complex flavor that balances sweetness with a subtle savory edge. The sea salt enhances the caramel’s depth, making each bite more intense and memorable.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to use the same measurements and follow the same mixing technique. The texture might be slightly different, but the flavor will remain delicious.

• How do I know when the caramel is the right color?

Look for a deep amber color, similar to a copper penny. This typically takes about 8-10 minutes of careful heating. The caramel should smell slightly nutty but not burned. Once it reaches this color, immediately remove from heat to prevent burning.

• What type of chocolate works best for the ganache?

Use high-quality dark chocolate with 60-70% cocoa content. This provides a rich, intense chocolate flavor that complements the sweet caramel perfectly. Belgian or French chocolates are excellent choices for a luxurious finish.

Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts Recipe

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• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Indulgent chocolate salted caramel tarts bring Mediterranean charm to dessert tables with rich, silky layers of intense flavor. Dark chocolate ganache and buttery caramel create a luxurious harmony that promises sweet satisfaction for discerning palates.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups (160 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 200 g (7 ounces) semi-sweet or dark chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream

Crust Components:

• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 large egg yolk
• 12 tablespoons cold water

Caramel and Finishing Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into pieces
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• Flaky sea salt
• Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder (optional)

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Instructions

1. Craft the pastry base by blending flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor. Incorporate cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Introduce egg yolk and minimal cold water, pulsing until the dough coheres. Form a compact disc, encase in plastic wrap, and chill for half an hour in the refrigerator.
2. Roll out the chilled dough and carefully press into tart molds. Pierce the base with a fork to prevent bubbling. Line with parchment and weight with ceramic beads or dried legumes. Roast in a preheated oven at 180C for 15 minutes. Remove weights and continue baking until the shell achieves a golden hue. Allow to cool completely.
3. Create caramel by gradually melting sugar in a heavy-bottomed pan, stirring periodically. Watch for a rich amber transformation. Cautiously introduce butter, whisking until fully integrated. Stream in heavy cream while continuously stirring, which will cause vigorous bubbling.
4. Incorporate vanilla extract and sea salt into the caramel, ensuring a smooth consistency. Gently pour the amber liquid into cooled tart shells, filling approximately halfway. Refrigerate to solidify the caramel layer.
5. Prepare ganache by heating cream until it approaches a simmer. Pour the hot cream over finely chopped chocolate. Allow to rest briefly, then stir until achieving a glossy, uniform texture. Blend in butter for additional richness.
6. Cascade the ganache over the set caramel, creating an even surface. Return to the refrigerator to set completely.
7. Before serving, embellish with delicate flaky sea salt and optional chocolate shavings. Serve chilled or at ambient temperature, potentially accompanied by fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Notes

• Precision matters when making caramel, so use a light-colored pan to monitor the sugar’s color change accurately.
• Watch the sugar closely to prevent burning, as it can quickly turn from amber to bitter and burnt.
• Keep ingredients like butter and cream at room temperature to ensure smooth incorporation and prevent temperature shock.
• Chill tart shells completely before adding caramel to maintain clean, crisp layers and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Use high-quality dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content for a rich, intense ganache flavor.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute regular flour with almond or coconut flour in the crust.
• Create mini tarts by using smaller tart pans for elegant individual servings perfect for parties.
• Make components ahead of time: crust can be prepared 2 days in advance, caramel 1 day prior, and ganache can be made several hours before assembly.
• Store tarts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
• Experiment with alternative salts like smoked or lavender sea salt for unique flavor variations.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 415
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg