Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts

If you’re a fan of indulgent desserts that hit all the right notes—rich, sweet, and with a little touch of salty goodness—then you’re going to fall in love with these Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts. Imagine buttery, flaky tart shells filled with silky smooth salted caramel, and then topped with a decadent layer of rich, velvety chocolate. The sweet-and-salty balance is perfection, and the crunchy, buttery crust adds a satisfying texture to every bite. These tarts are elegant enough to serve at a dinner party, but simple enough to make for an irresistible treat at home. Seriously, these little beauties are so good, you’ll want to keep the recipe a secret!

Why You’ll Love Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts

These tarts have it all—flavor, texture, and a little something extra to make them unforgettable. Here’s why they’re going to be your new favorite dessert:

The Perfect Sweet & Salty Combo

Salted caramel and chocolate—what a match! The caramel is rich and buttery, with a hint of salt that elevates the sweetness, and the smooth chocolate adds depth and luxury. Together, they create a flavor experience you’ll crave.

Buttery, Flaky Crust

The tart crust is buttery and flaky, with just the right amount of crunch to complement the silky filling. It’s the perfect base for the indulgent caramel and chocolate layers.

Simple Yet Elegant

These tarts may look like they belong in a gourmet bakery, but they’re surprisingly easy to make! They’re perfect for impressing guests at a special occasion, or simply treating yourself to something extra special.

Make Ahead & Versatile

These tarts are fantastic for prepping ahead of time. You can make them a day or two in advance and store them in the fridge. Plus, the chocolate caramel filling can be easily tweaked—add a little coffee for a mocha twist, or use dark chocolate for a richer flavor.

Crowd-Pleasing

With their decadent flavor, these tarts are sure to be a hit with friends and family. The combination of chocolate and salted caramel is a universal favorite, so everyone will be coming back for seconds.

Ingredients in Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts

These tarts are made with a few simple yet indulgent ingredients, all coming together to create a dessert that’s beyond amazing. Let’s break it down:

Tart Shells

The crust is a key element to these tarts. It’s made from buttery, flaky pastry dough that bakes up golden and crisp, creating the perfect base for the rich caramel and chocolate filling.

Heavy Cream

Heavy cream is essential for making the caramel and chocolate filling rich, smooth, and creamy. It helps achieve that luxurious texture that’s so satisfying.

Sugar

Sugar is what turns the cream into caramel. The sweetness balances out the salty elements and complements the deep chocolate flavor.

Butter

Butter adds richness to the caramel filling, giving it that smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It also helps make the tart shells perfectly golden and crispy.

Brown Sugar

Brown sugar adds a deeper, more molasses-like sweetness to the caramel. It’s what gives the caramel that lovely, rich flavor.

Salt

A pinch of salt (or more, depending on your taste) is key for that salted caramel magic! It enhances the sweetness while giving a little savory kick to balance everything out.

Semi-Sweet or Dark Chocolate

The star topping for these tarts. You can use semi-sweet chocolate for a balanced flavor, or dark chocolate for a more intense, slightly bitter contrast to the sweet caramel.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract rounds out the caramel’s flavor, adding a hint of warmth to the filling and making it taste extra comforting.

(Note: Full ingredient measurements are provided in the recipe card above!)

Instructions

Making these Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts is easier than you might think, and the end result is so worth it! Here’s how to make them:

Prepare the Tart Shells

Start by preheating your oven and preparing your tart pans. Roll out your tart dough on a floured surface and carefully line your tart pans with it, pressing the dough into the edges. Once the shells are lined, trim off any excess dough. Use a fork to poke a few holes in the bottom of each shell (this prevents air bubbles while baking). Bake the shells for about 10-12 minutes, or until they’re golden and crispy. Let them cool completely while you prepare the caramel and chocolate fillings.

Make the Salted Caramel Filling

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the sugar and cook it, stirring occasionally, until it turns into a golden amber color. Be careful—this process happens quickly, and you don’t want to burn the sugar. Once the sugar has melted, add the heavy cream slowly (it will bubble up, so be careful). Stir until smooth, then let it simmer for about 3-5 minutes to thicken up. Remove the caramel from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt. Allow it to cool slightly before filling the tart shells.

Fill the Tart Shells

Carefully spoon the cooled caramel into the prepared tart shells, filling them about 3/4 full. Use the back of a spoon to spread the caramel evenly across each tart. Be sure to leave a little room at the top for the chocolate layer.

Make the Chocolate Ganache

In a heatproof bowl, combine the chocolate and heavy cream. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. If you prefer, you can also melt the chocolate and cream together in a saucepan over low heat. Once melted, stir until the ganache is glossy and smooth.

Top with Chocolate Ganache

Spoon the chocolate ganache over the cooled caramel layer in each tart, smoothing it out into an even layer. You want to make sure the caramel is completely covered by the rich chocolate.

Chill the Tarts

Refrigerate the tarts for at least 2 hours, or until the chocolate has set and the tarts are firm to the touch. The cooling process will allow the caramel and chocolate to firm up, creating that perfect bite of decadence.

Serve and Enjoy

Once the tarts have chilled, carefully remove them from the tart pans and serve! You can garnish them with a light sprinkle of sea salt for an extra pop of flavor, or add some chocolate shavings for a more elegant finish.

How to Serve Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts

These tarts are already amazing on their own, but here are a few ways to make them even more irresistible:

With a Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream

A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream is the perfect contrast to the rich, salty-sweet flavors of the tarts. It’ll balance the decadence with a little cool and creamy touch.

Drizzle with Caramel Sauce

If you want to take it to the next level, drizzle some extra caramel sauce on top of each tart just before serving. It adds a nice, gooey finish that’ll make every bite extra special.

Garnish with Sea Salt

A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the chocolate ganache gives the tarts a gorgeous finish and amplifies that sweet-salty combo. It’s a must if you love that extra hit of salt.

Top with Whipped Cream

For an even creamier dessert, top each tart with a swirl of freshly whipped cream. You can even add a dash of vanilla or cinnamon to the whipped cream for an added flavor twist.

Additional Tips

Here are a few helpful tips to make sure your Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts turn out perfectly:

Use a High-Quality Chocolate

The chocolate is one of the most important components of this dessert, so make sure to use good-quality chocolate. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate works best for the ganache layer.

Keep an Eye on the Caramel

Caramel can go from golden to burnt very quickly, so keep a close eye on it while it’s cooking. Stir it gently and be patient—this step is key to getting that perfect caramel flavor.

Make the Crust Extra Crisp

If you want an even crunchier crust, blind-bake it for a few extra minutes. Just place some parchment paper on top of the dough and fill it with pie weights or dried beans before baking. This will help ensure a crisp, flaky shell.

Allow Cooling Time

Be sure to give the tarts plenty of time to cool and chill. The caramel needs time to set, and the chocolate ganache will firm up in the fridge, so don’t rush this step!

Store Leftovers Properly

Store any leftover tarts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze individual tarts for up to 1 month—just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I use milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet or dark chocolate?

A1: Yes, you can use milk chocolate if you prefer a sweeter, creamier flavor. Just keep in mind that the flavor profile will be a little different.

Q2: Can I make these tarts ahead of time?

A2: Absolutely! These tarts store really well in the fridge and can be made a day or two in advance. Just cover them tightly with plastic wrap.

Q3: How do I store leftover tarts?

A3: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze individual tarts for up to a month.

Q4: Can I use store-bought tart shells?

A4: Yes, if you’re short on time, store-bought tart shells work perfectly. Just be sure to pre-bake them according to the package instructions.

Q5: Can I make these tarts without caramel?

A5: You could try using a different filling, like a chocolate mousse or fruit ganache, but the salted caramel really makes

this dessert special.

Conclusion

These Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts are everything you want in a dessert: sweet, salty, rich, and decadent. The combination of a buttery, flaky crust, silky salted caramel filling, and smooth chocolate ganache is a flavor experience that’s simply irresistible. Whether you’re treating yourself or impressing guests, these tarts are guaranteed to be a hit. Enjoy every rich, indulgent bite!

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