Salted caramel is encased in chocolate pastry and topped with a gooey chocolate topping. This salted caramel chocolate tart is the ultimate in decadent.
I know cakes are the usual birthday fare, and as much as I love cakes I didn’t actually feel like a cake for my birthday today. I had my eye on the Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart recipe in Rachel Allen’s [amazon_link id=”0007309031″ target=”_blank” ]Entertaining at Home[/amazon_link] for some time but had put off making it. Mainly because my fiance doesn’t like salted caramel and there is no point making such a decadent recipe just for me, however with it being my birthday I decided if you can’t make exactly what you want and stop worrying about everyone else on your birthday when can you? So here today is my take on Rachel Allen’s Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart.
I only made a couple of slight changes to Rachel Allen’s recipe. Firstly I decided to make mini tarts. I love miniature foods, and well, it seems all the more decadent to me to be able to eat a whole mini tart than a slice of a bigger tart.
Secondly, I decided to go with a chocolate shortbread base, and for this, I used the ultra reliable Dorie Greenspan’s recipe from Baking. What I love about this tart base is that no rolling is required. Simply press into the tart tin and freeze for 30 minutes before baking and you have an ultra crumbly chocolatey base.
As much as I wanted to wait until today for my first bite of these tarts I just couldn’t. The allure of salted caramel is far too strong for me to resist, and I was telling myself I was taste testing them to make sure they would be ok for today, and indeed they are more than ok. Delicious, decadent, and ultra rich. Sadly despite my lustful thoughts of demolishing a whole mini tart, I was outdone and could not conquer it all in sitting. That didn’t stop my fiance, though, despite his protestations of not liking salted caramel. 🙂
While I didn’t make an actual cake to celebrate my birthday today, I will be making one this weekend because my parents are coming to visit on Sunday, for a week, and I haven’t actually spent any time with them around my birthday since I was 18 years old. So I thought a belated birthday cake would be the perfect thing to celebrate the occasion.
I have to say I’ve also been a little bit spoiled today by my fiance, as he does every birthday in fact. I still remember my first birthday we spent together. I happened to mention that we had a silly family tradition when my brother and I were little of having Fruit Loops for breakfast on our birthday. While I won’t say my parents were strict with our food, my brother and I weren’t allowed sugary cereals for breakfast, except twice a year – on our birthdays and Christmas – and for each occasion we would choose the most sugar laden cereal we knew of, being Froot Loops. I’d completely forgotten I’d told my fiance this fact, but low and behold, when my birthday came around he had organised a box of Froot Loops. At the time I couldn’t stop laughing as I thought it was so funny he remembered.
Firstly for my birthday today he gave me the most adorable dress I’d had my eye on for quite some time (which I will be wearing out to dinner tonight) and the most adorable card, full of romantic words complete with a puppy with a birthday cupcake on his head on the front. I was also spoiled with his special pancakes for breakfast. He doesn’t cook often, which he attributes to the blog, but when he does it always feels so special.
While the Fruit Loops tradition has gone by the wayside, now each birthday is celebrated with champagne, and my fiance cooking breakfast, along with a dinner out because apparently I’m not allowed to cook dinner on my birthday.
So tell me, do you have any silly or not so silly birthday traditions?
Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart
Recipe Adapted from Rachel Allen's Entertaining at Home. Tart base recipe from Dorie Greenspan's Baking: From My Home to Yours.
Ingredients
- CHOCOLATE SHORTBREAD TART DOUGH:
- 1 1/4 cups of plain all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup of cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup of icing sugar confectioners
- 1/4 tsp of salt
- 128 g of cold unsalted butter cut into small pieces
- 1 large egg yolk
- SALTED CARAMEL:
- 225 g of caster sugar
- 75 ml of water
- 100 g of butter
- 100 ml of cream
- 1 tsp heaped of sea salt flakes
- CHOCOLATE LAYER:
- 100 g of caster sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- 250 g of 70% cocoa chocolate broken into pieces
- 150 g of butter cut into cubes
Instructions
- To make the tart dough, combine the flour, cocoa, salt and sugar in the bowl of a food processor and pulse a few times to combine. Add the butter and pulse until the butter resembles the size of peas. Stir the egg yolk to break it up and add a little bit of the egg yolk and pulse to combine. Repeat until all of the egg yolk is added. Then process the dough in 10 second bursts until the dough forms clumps. Turn out the dough and knead lightly to incorporate the remaining dry ingredients, where necessary.
- Press the dough into a 23cm (9 inch) deep loose bottomed tart tin or 8 mini tart tins. Freeze the tart bases for 30 minutes to 1 hour before baking. When ready to bake preheat the oven to 190 degrees celsius (375 fahrenheit) and line with foil and pie weights and bake for 15 minutes, remove the weights and bake for a further 5 minutes. Set aside to cool while you prepare the filling.
- To make the salted caramel place the sugar and water in a medium sized saucepan over a low heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and then add the butter. Stir until the butter melts and then increase the heat to medium and allow the mixture to cook until it reaches a light toffee colour, around 15 minutes. Add the cream and sea salt, stir to combine and then cook for another 2 to 3 minutes or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Set aside to cool.
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius (350 fahrenheit).
- For the chocolate layer, gently melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Once melted mix to combine and set aside while you prepare the remainder of the filling. Combine the eggs, egg yolks and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitter with a paddle attachment and whisk until light and creamy. Add a small amount of the chocolate to the mixture and whisk to combine, to temper the eggs and prevent them from curdling, before adding the remaining chocolate. Whisk until smooth.
- To assemble the tarts pour the caramel into the base of the tart tin, or divide evenly between the mini tart tins if using, and then top with the chocolate mixture. Place on a baking tray (to stop any overflowing caramel making a mess in your oven) and bake for 20 minutes for the large tart and 10 to 12 minutes for mini tarts. The tart should almost be set with the center still a little wobbly. Allow to cool in the tin before removing to serve.
Am I missing something? The recipe says to pour the caramel into the tin and bake it, but then makes no mention of baking the chocolate cake layer? Do I bake the caramel in the tart case and then wait for it to cool and then cook the chocolate layer? For how long? Many thanks, can’t wait to try it, but need this last bit of information!
Hi Tracy, sorry, for the delay in getting back to you. I’ve clearly missed a step in the recipe. I’ve updated it now, but what you need to do is pour the chocolate layer over the caramel and then bake for 20 minutes for a large tart or 10 to 12 minutes for mini tarts. I hope you enjoy them 😀
This looks and sounds amazing!
The pastry for the salted tarts was it heavy or crispy crumbly. I think if the pastry is too heavy it takes away fro the filling. They look great though. I’m keen to try them. Agree with the mini idea as well.
Hi Antonia,
The pastry was crumbly. I also pressed it out rather thin as I didn’t want it to distract from the tart. 😀
Happy Birthday again for Friday Jennifer! Sounds like you had a wonderful day, Fruit Loops et al, and your tarts look gorgeous! I like the mini versions too.
Thank you so much Martyna 😀 I did indeed have a wonderful day.
Belated Happy Birthday 🙂 Sorry Jennifer I’ve been away and haven’t had time to read this post so I didn’t know it was your birthday! But i’m sure you had an amazing day because your fiance will spoil you rotten! That’s so sweet of him to remember!
I absolutely LOVE salted caramel 🙂 Who says you need a birthday cake to celebrate your bday hahaha i saw these tarts can even be better 😛
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the birthday wishes Daisy 😀 You are so sweet.
Happy birthday! Anything with salted caramel will have me whipping out my dessert fork for a taste :). I think your Froot Loops story and tradition is really sweet, and many plus points to your fiance for remembering it!
Thanks Maya 😀
Happy Birthday! Ah, so the celebration has been decadent, yay! These tarts are lovely, but I just love the Fruit Loops tradition even more 🙂 You’re fiancé is doing a great job with the spoiling 🙂 The dress is adorable!
Happy Birthday! Those tarts look absolutely amazing 🙂
Oh my, this looks amazing!
Perfect choice for a birthday indulgence! Love that you were treated special by the one you love. Happy Birthday to you…and many more 🙂
What a fun tradition. Those tarts look simply delicious and that dress is so cute.
Happy belated birthday from both of us.
xo E + J
Happy Birthdayay! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate it than with this tart. It’s one of my favorite combos. 🙂
You had me at salted caramel!! This looks amaaaaazing!
Wow, I wake up to this tart this morning? I already feel like having dessert before breakfast!
Happy Birthday!! I hope it was a great one. I don’t bake my own b-day cakes but I always ask for something lighter like this. Not a fan of the layers of frosting. Thanks for sharing your birthday treat 🙂
I’m glad I’m not alone in not liking frosting Nancy. 🙂 I was really happy with how the tarts turned out, and they were a deliciously different way to celebrate.
WOW!! These tarts are nothing short of perfection. I must admit I’m not a huuuge fan of Caramel but Salted Caramel…..? Now that’s a completely different story (ironically enough). The flavours just work for me and I can’t get enough of it. Thanks for the recipe =)
Happy Birthday! I love your salted caramel chocolate tart, such a delicious way to celebrate!
Happy Birthday!! Sounds like your finace is a keeper! My birthday is on Jan 1, and all the men in my life have always been obsessed with all the college football games on that day, so my birthday is always kind of left behind 🙁 We go out for dinner a different night, but that is about it. This year the games were on the 2nd, so hubby did make it a special day!
This tart looks insanely rich and delicious. Right up my alley!
I’m glad your hubby made it a special day for you this year. Here’s hoping that it’s the start of a new tradition for you 🙂
Wow! How amazing is this tart! I think it is a perfect birthday cake! I love to make my own birthday cake as well – that way you get what you want! YUM!
I’m in complete heaven! I’m sure we’ve talked about our shared love of salted caramel before – and pairing it with chocolate and chocolaty pastry? Divine! I’ve got a very similar recipe which I make as a whole tart, but I love the individual versions…. Happy birthday!
Hehe yes, we have talked about our shared love of caramel before. 😀 I’m glad you like my version. Thanks for the birthday wishes 🙂
Habby Birthday Jennifer!!
These look amazing and totally birthday celebration worthy, I have that book and have not tried this recipe yet. I must make them soon 🙂
Ejoy the rest of your fab day xx
Thanks Carolanne 😀
Wish you a very very Happy Birthday Jen! May this year be extra special and filled with all the things you love! The little tarts are gorgeous 🙂
Thanks Sneh 😀
Jennifer I wish you a very Happy Birthday and a wonderful evening with your fiance! Pancakes, Dinner and a dress… he knows how to treat a lady! Having your parents visit for a week will be special and I am sure they will be spoiled with all your wonderful cooking. Yes, I think on your birthday you should spoil yourself with those delicious looking Salted Caramel and Chocolate Tarts! I have never had a silly tradition on my birthday, but that’s what makes life special even if it’s Fruit Loops!
Thanks Moya, and yes, he does know how to treat a lady. 😀 He spoiled me yesterday and waited on me as best he could with his injured foot.
Oh my goodness this looks like the best Birthday ‘cake’ ever. I hope you had a wonderful day!
You reminded me that I have a batch of salted caramel in the freezer. I might just have to use it in my own Birthday cake next week! (we’re only 6 days apart I’m on the 22nd!)
So many wonderful people born in March 😀 I can’t wait to see what you come up with for your birthday post, salted caramel or not, I am sure it will be delicious. And thanks for the birthday wishes here and on Twitter 😀
Mmmhhh, divine! I love salted caramel and chocolate. That is such a fabulous flavor.
Cheers,
Rosa
Happy Birthday! Glad to hear you are appropriately spoiled! The tarts look so rich – perfect with a cut of tea I’d imagine. Seems your fiance eat lots of things that he ‘doesn’t like’ hee hee!
Thanks JJ 😀 Yes, it seems I am able to make him eat a lot of things he supposedly doesn’t like muahaha! Now I know he really doesn’t mind salted caramel I feel free to make salted caramel recipes more often 😀
Such cute and delicious tarts – that close up is simply killing me 😉
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
What a wonderful tradition you have! Happy Birthday! Have fun and enjoy your day! What tradition do I have? Hm, not to celebrate my birthday in traditional reatsurant-guests-wine-cake way. I like to get away for my birthday, either on a camp trip or luxury resort, or road trip, but it has to be something that I want and like. 🙂
A birthday getaway sounds like a lovely tradition Marina. I might try to steal that idea for next year 😀 Thank you for the birthday wishes.
Oh I love your dress 🙂 so pretty! I’m obsessed with choc caramel. Love the top, it looks so delicious
happy birthday jennifer!
that dress is just absolutely gorgeous. have a wonderful dinner tonight.
also i disagree with this “there is no point making such a decadent recipe just for me”! i’m sorry but there is every reason to make a decadent recipe just for you. why not. life is too short!
jen x
True Jen, life is too short 😀 Thanks for the birthday wishes and happy birthday to you for next week!
First of all, HAPPY B-DAY! And what a nice way to treat yourself with this gorgeous tart! It’s nice to be spoiled by your fiance on your b-day, too. The dress is really cute, and the sugary cereal tradition he prepares for you is really sweet! Have a wonderful dinner out, and have a great time with your parents!
Thanks Nami 😀
Happy Birthday!!!! What a great treat to celebrate..who would resist, right? I wouldn’t for sure!:)) Now about tradition..I think you should keep that tradition!:))) How cute that he got you the dress..so thoughtful! Well, enjoy your day and weekend ahead!!!! BTW your tart really look amazing!!!
Happy Birthday!!!
And how cute that your man remembered the Fruit Loops.
Those tarts and that dress look fab 🙂
Happy birthday Jen, I hope you have a gorgeous day, although I feel like you are giving us the gifts with this stunning tart!
I’m a salted caramel fanatic – this sounds fantastic! What a fun birthday tradition; your fiance sounds incredibly thoughtful to remember it, and cute dress! Hope you have a wonderful day celebrating!
That a gorgeous pretty looking tart 🙂 So glad you are celebrating it with your parents over the weekend. Now that I think of it.. I think it’s been long long long time since I last celebrated my birthday with them ! Have fun girl and hope all your dreams come true! Keep smiling (((HUGS)))