This Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart is a truly indulgent dessert that beautifully balances rich, dark chocolate with the smooth, salted caramel filling. The crunchy digestive biscuit base provides the perfect contrast to the velvety texture of the filling, creating an unforgettable treat for chocolate lovers.
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, this tart is sure to impress. Its elegant appearance and delightful flavor make it the perfect dessert for any special occasion, and the combination of caramel and chocolate is nothing short of magical.
Full Recipe:
- 200g digestive biscuits
- 100g unsalted butter, melted
- 300g dark chocolate (70% cocoa), chopped
- 200ml double cream
- 2 tablespoons golden syrup
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (optional)
Directions:
- Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- In a food processor, blitz the digestive biscuits until finely crushed.
- Mix the crushed biscuits with the melted butter and press the mixture into a tart pan to form the base. Bake for 10 minutes, then allow it to cool.
- For the filling, heat the double cream and golden syrup in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until warm.
- Remove the pan from heat and add the chopped dark chocolate. Stir until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth.
- Stir in the vanilla extract, sea salt, and cocoa powder (if using). Pour the chocolate mixture into the cooled biscuit base and smooth it out.
- Chill the tart in the fridge for at least 4 hours or until fully set.
- Once set, sprinkle with extra sea salt and serve.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
Kcal: 350 kcal per serving | Servings: 8 servings
Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart: A Decadent Dessert Delight
If you are a fan of both chocolate and salted caramel, this dessert is the perfect indulgence. The combination of rich, dark chocolate, velvety salted caramel, and a buttery, chocolatey shortcrust pastry creates an irresistible tart that is perfect for any celebration. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply treating yourself, this Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart is sure to impress. With three decadent layers, each bite is a sweet and savory journey that perfectly balances the depth of chocolate with the slight bitterness of salted caramel.
The Perfect Layers: A Trio of Tempting Tastes
This tart features three indulgent layers: a rich chocolate shortcrust base, a luscious salted caramel center, and a silky chocolate ganache topping. Let’s explore each layer in more detail to understand why this tart is so irresistible.
The chocolate shortcrust pastry is the foundation of the tart, offering a buttery, flaky texture that complements the smooth layers above. Adding cocoa powder to the dough intensifies the chocolate flavor and enhances the overall depth of the tart. By making this pastry from scratch, you can control the texture and ensure it’s perfectly baked with a golden, crisp edge.
The salted caramel layer is what truly makes this dessert stand out. The caramel is made from scratch with just three simple ingredients: sugar, butter, and cream. A pinch of salt elevates the sweetness and adds the perfect balance to the rich chocolate ganache above. The caramel is allowed to cool and set just enough to create a smooth and sweet contrast against the velvety ganache. This layer is crucial in making the tart an unforgettable treat, as it gives a salty-sweet flavor profile that perfectly offsets the bitterness of the dark chocolate.
Finally, the chocolate ganache layer, with its creamy and melt-in-the-mouth texture, tops off the tart. Made with high-quality dark chocolate and double cream, the ganache is the perfect finishing touch. The smooth and silky consistency of the ganache adds a touch of luxury and decadence to this dessert, making it the ultimate indulgence.
Homemade Components: Why It’s Worth the Effort
One of the reasons this Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart is so special is that each component is made from scratch. While some people may feel intimidated by the idea of making a tart from scratch, the process is actually quite straightforward. By making your own chocolate shortcrust pastry, salted caramel, and ganache, you are guaranteed a fresher and more flavorful dessert. Moreover, making everything from scratch allows you to customize the recipe to your own preferences.
The chocolate shortcrust pastry is not as complicated as it may seem. By using a food processor, the dough comes together quickly and easily. Once chilled, it’s rolled out and blind-baked to ensure it has a crispy texture that holds up to the rich filling.
Making salted caramel from scratch is also easier than many people think. It involves heating sugar until it melts and turns into a deep amber color, then adding butter and cream to create a smooth sauce. The key is to work carefully with the caramel, ensuring that it doesn’t seize up or burn. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to make silky, smooth caramel every time.
The ganache is the final step, and while it’s easy to make, getting the perfect consistency is essential. The key is to heat the cream gently and mix it with the chopped chocolate until it’s completely smooth. Once you pour the ganache over the set caramel, it hardens to create a decadent, truffle-like texture.
Serving Suggestions for the Tart
This tart is delicious on its own, but there are several ways to elevate the experience even further. For a more indulgent treat, you can serve the tart with a dollop of lightly whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream on the side. Vanilla ice cream works wonderfully, as the creamy sweetness complements the richness of the tart. If you’re looking for a more balanced pairing, try serving it with a scoop of espresso ice cream. The bitterness of the coffee enhances the flavors of the chocolate and caramel, creating a perfectly balanced dessert.
For those who enjoy a warm beverage with their dessert, a shot of espresso pairs beautifully with the Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart. The bitterness of the coffee enhances the sweetness of the tart, making it an ideal companion for a cozy, indulgent treat.
Vegan and Dietary Alternatives
While this tart is already a rich and decadent treat, it can easily be adapted to suit a vegan or dairy-free diet. By substituting plant-based butter for the regular butter in the pastry and caramel, and using a non-dairy milk (such as soy or almond milk) for the pastry dough, you can create a completely plant-based version of this tart. The cream in both the caramel and ganache can be replaced with coconut cream, which has a high fat content and a rich texture that works wonderfully as a substitute. When using coconut cream, there is no need to worry about a coconut flavor, as it blends seamlessly with the other ingredients.
Tips for Success
To ensure your Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart turns out perfectly every time, here are a few essential tips:
- When making the pastry, make sure not to roll it out too thin. A thickness of about 3mm is ideal to prevent the pastry from tearing or breaking during baking.
- Always use a silicone spatula when stirring the caramel to prevent the sugar from seizing up. Metal spoons can cause crystallization, which results in a grainy caramel.
- When making the ganache, be careful not to overheat the cream. You want it to be steaming, but not boiling, as this will cause the ganache to split. Be patient and let the cream gently melt the chocolate for a smooth, velvety finish.
How Long Will the Tart Keep?
The Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. However, it’s best enjoyed within the first 1-2 days, as the pastry will begin to lose its crispness after a couple of days. Be sure to store the tart in an airtight container to maintain its freshness. Before serving, let the tart come to room temperature for the best texture and flavor.
Conclusion
The Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart is a luxurious dessert that combines the best of both worlds: rich chocolate and indulgent salted caramel. With a buttery chocolate shortcrust base, a creamy salted caramel layer, and a silky chocolate ganache topping, it’s the ultimate treat for any occasion. By making each element from scratch, you create a fresher, more flavorful dessert that’s sure to impress your guests. Whether served on its own or paired with whipped cream or ice cream, this tart is the perfect balance of sweet and salty, making it a dessert you’ll want to make again and again.
Let this Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart be the star of your next dinner party or celebration. With its luxurious layers and rich flavor, it’s sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who takes a bite.