This week’s TWD was chosen by Carla of Chocolate Moosey: chocolate-crunched caramel tart! This dessert consists of a tart shell filled first with a layer of caramel studded with peanuts and then topped with a dark chocolate ganache. I’m not a fan of bittersweet chocolate so I knew I wouldn’t eat much of the tart, but it was my step-dad’s 60th birthday yesterday so I made plans for my mom to pick up the tart and bring it home for him!
The recipe isn’t complicated but since there are several components it is a bit time consuming and it dirtied a TON of dishes. My kitchen wasn’t clean to begin with, but after I finished the tart it looked like a tornado had ripped through! The only scary part for me was the caramel – even though I’ve made it a few times successfully I’ve had enough failures to intimidate me. Fortunately, Dorie’s instructions were fantastic and I didn’t have any issues. Dorie’s recipe starts with only sugar in the pan and melts it a little at a time before adding corn syrup, butter and cream. Most of the other recipes I’ve seen to make caramel start with sugar and water in the pan and I have to say I much preferred Dorie’s method.
Though I didn’t try the tart, I snuck a few tastes of the caramel and it was dangerously good!! I called my mom last night to see what they thought of the tart and it was a hit! They both said it was perhaps a bit sweet but that was their only complaint. Thanks to Carla for hosting this week’s recipe! You can find the recipe here and if you’d like to see how the other tarts turned out, check out the TWD site.
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Pretty, pretty, pretty tart! Congrats on the caramel success – I thought it was an interesting technique too.
Now I kind of wish I didn’t like dark chocolate so much, because looking at your tart makes me want another piece…
Let me be the first (HAHA) to say how beautiful the tart is.
It was pretty sweet so I am glad I only made two minis. But it was really good.
Glad your folks enjoyed it.
Your tart looks beautiful! It’s a good thing I’m not at home right now, because seeing yours is making me want a slice… I liked Dorie’s caramel method, too. Mine came together super-quickly and it was fun to melt the sugar. What a wonderful birthday dessert, I’m glad it was enjoyed by all!
Looks fantastic, Tracey, and you have the most perfect crust I have ever seen! Wow, that is really nice. You are so kind to share your goodies…I am sure you make a lot of people very very happy!
The tart looks delicious, rich and creamy. I would love a piece of that with lunch. Maybe your mom could bring some over to me?
It looks perfect. This was really delicious.
looks super- great birthday present!
Looks delicious! I need to stop reading all of these delicious dessert posts… No wonder I’m craving sweets!
Very sweet, indeed. It’s funny, my husband doesn’t like bittersweet chocolate either – but he likes semisweet just fine.
Tracey, yours look dangerously good. I wouldn’t mind it being too sweet at all! 😉
Gimme gimme gimme!
Bravo Tracey! You are a master dessert cutter! What a perfect cut! …and the layers are pretty darn great too!
surely the caramel is perfect and the tart really drooling 🙂 yum yum
Your tart looks fantastic. I’m sure your Mom loved it!
Your tart looks gorg…it’s too bad you didn’t get to taste it though…this was an absolute winner! But Im glad your family enjoyed it!!!
I’m not a huge fan of bittersweet chocolate either but I’m facinated by the thought of those nuts.
Your tart looks gorgeous! I agree with you, the caramel was a lot easier then I thought it would be and I snuck a spoonful before starting on the layering. Very tasty!
I had to laugh over the tornado in the kitchen because I was left with a mess too and still had dinner to start that evening…
It looks so good. I used semi sweet chocolate and it was wonderful!
That looks amazing!!!
Gorgeous! You really made it looks so much like the photo in the book. Sad that you didn’t get to enjoy the whole tart (but trust me, it’s just as well!)
Nice looking crust!!! You were bold and did the adult-size tart! Nice job – especially with the caramel – it’s easier once you do it again and again (one of my favorite things to make)! Glad Step-Dad enjoyed it!!!
Yum! Chocolate tarts can be so boring. This one definitely takes the cake. Adding crunch in there is unique. Love it!
The tart looks so beautiful, Tracey! What a dramatic and elegant dessert for your stepdad’s bday. I did not love this one, but everyone else seems to, so clearly I did something wrong.
Beautiful job on the tart!
What??!? You didn’t even snag a little taste of the whole tart?? Impressive. I really felt like a caramel success with this method of making it. I thought the whole dessert was just wonderfully good. Hope your family enjoyed it. It looks simply stunning.
Your tart looks wonderful, Tracey. I admire your will power, too. I took half of mine to work, but most of the rest is still sitting here staring at me, waiting for me to eat it. =) Interesting that you like the dry caramel method better. I don’t, so I put some water in with my sugar even though the recipe didn’t call for it.
Tracey, that crust looks so tall and pretty! What a lovely birthday dessert, I’m glad your parents enjoyed it. I made this on Sunday, along with a bunch of other stuff, and I felt like I was cleaning up the kitchen all day.
This was my first caramel. If I had known I could add water, I would have. This is the perfect dessert for a special occassion!
mmmm looks great!! i’d love a good homemade treat for my birthday but i won’t get that unless i make it for myself 🙂
this was my first foray into caramel and tart making! mine didn’t turn out quite as gorgeous as yours!!
That’s such a gorgeous tart, Tracey. And the pictures are just fabulous, too. I bet that this was a great birthday dessert for your stepdad.
I can’t believe you let that beautiful tart leave your house. I had plans to share some with friends, but I conveniently haven’t had time to deliver it, so I just keep nibbling away, enjoying every bite. What a nice birthday gift for your dad!
That looks amazing! I think I may have to try the caramel recipe.
Tracey is always very generous with her pastries and we all appreciate it so much! I’m a fan of any kind of chocolate and I thought this tart got better with each piece i tried. It was a bit sweet but not overly so and the crust was divine! Jack has had mutiple pieces and though he liked it his heart still belongs to the blueberry crumb bars you made previously. Great picture!
Looks de-lish! My caramel hardened too much, almost toffee like. I want to make the caramel again and not cook it the last two minutes. It tasted great!
Have I said I love your photos. Oh yes. They really are great!