Monday, June 17, 2013

Chocolate Caramel Tart


Here's something you may not know about me.

I absolutely love to play matchmaker. 

Setting two people up that may never have otherwise met is such a rush for me. Of course, it's only possible that these said people want to be with someone. Trying to fix someone up that is perfectly happy being single is like trying to feed bacon to a vegetarian. Yeah, it ain't happening. 

If someone wanted to be in a relationship, they knew who to ask and where to go. 

Well, that is until I moved here. 

Back home, I was the Patty Stanger of matchmaking, if you will, and yeah, I was bloody good at it too. I don't normally toot my own horn, but I really was. In fact, I was responsible for putting together quite a few long-term relationships that resulted in several (FOUR, thankyouverymuch) marriages. The couples that married are still together and have nine babies between them. The longest long-term relationship lasted eight years and the shortest lasted just over three years. It's unfortunate, because the couple with the three year relationship was so good together, and I mean like, so good. They were the couple everybody wanted to be. I'm pretty confident it would have ended happily ever after, but the girl didn't want to move 3,000 miles across the country and leave her family. Understandable I suppose as they were super close, but I often wonder if she feels regret not going with him. You know, the one that 'got away'? I wish I had the ladyballs to ask, but sometimes it's best to let sleeping dogs lie. 

When I moved here, I met so many amazing, single people; it was like hitting the jackpot. Unfortunately, my luck barely got a running start. Imagine walking into a casino with a sackful of free quarters and striking out at every go. It was so hard to get people on board. Either the girl backed out at the last minute or the guy forgot he had 'other' plans. It was excuse after excuse - and so frustrating. These same people continue to complain how they either date losers or can't get a date. *SIGH*. Seriously? Platter. Future spouse. Hello? 

However, just as I was about to throw in the towel and seriously doubt my abilities, *GASP!*, I set up a friend of mine with one of my husband's colleagues. Turns out, I did real good. They were married within the year and now have a gorgeous little boy. 

Every now and again, I like to do that to my food. Chocolate and peanut butter is one of my most favourite food combinations, but sometimes I like to pair it with pretzels or cookies. 

Or Caramel. Like this tart. So rich and so delicious. 

I think this could be the start of a beautiful relationship. 


CHOCOLATE CARAMEL TART

Crust:
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes

Caramel:
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ cup water
¼ cup heavy cream
¼ cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt

Chocolate Ganache:
1 cup heavy cream
6 ounces good, quality semi-sweet or dark chocolate (I used Lindt)


Preheat oven to 350ºF. 

In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Cut butter into flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.



Press dough into a rectangle tart pan. You can also use a 9" round tart pan, but for presentation of this particular tart, I prefer the rectangular pan. 

Bake for 20 minutes. 


To make caramel filling:

In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine sugar and water. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Increase heat and allow sugar water to boil for about 7 minutes. This particular caramel recipe does not require a candy thermometer (which is why I love it so), but be sure to stay very close to pan and watch carefully or the sugar will turn on you and burn in the blink of an eye. You'll be looking for a caramel colour - or the colour of beer. Once you see sugar go from clear to amber, swish pan in a slow, circular motion. Remove pan from heat. It will continue to deepen as you swish.



Add in heavy cream. It will bubble, so take care. Add in butter, vanilla extract, and salt.  Stir until all ingredients are incorporated




Allow caramel to cool for about 10 minutes. Pour caramel over baked crust. Set aside for  about an hour. 



To make ganache:

Place chocolate in a large glass measuring cup or container that has a pourable lip. Heat heavy cream in a saucepan. When it comes to a bubbling simmer, remove from heat and pour over chocolate. Allow to sit for a couple minutes and stir until smooth and creamy. Allow to come to room temperature. You'll want it to thicken, but still be pourable. 

Pour chocolate over caramel. Using an offset spatula, smooth chocolate over top evenly. 




Let tart set for about 20 minutes before transferring to the fridge, uncovered. Chill for 3 hours for best results. Dust with a quality cocoa powder and serve.

Note: This tart has a gooey caramel filling that will continue to run after cutting. Just prop it up to avoid it oozing out of the tart.


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36 Comments »

36 Responses to “Chocolate Caramel Tart”

  1. You. Are. Incredible. Has anyone ever told you that? Triple quadruple quintuple yum on that tart! I need to try this soon! And good luck on that matchmaking, haha! :)

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    1. Aw, thanks Diana! Make this soon...it's droolworthy! XO

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  2. Oh boy you ARE an amazing matchmaker! That is SO cool! I have 1 engagement under my belt (recently announced and I was like "I did that! YOU'RE WELCOOOME" lol)

    And omg omg omg chocolatey caramely goodness right here hoo mama!

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    Replies
    1. YAY for the matchmakers of the world! I love to see people happy. Not that someone can't be happy single; I know several who are perfectly content solo, but it's always nice to share those little things in life with someone special. Thanks for the love! XO

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  3. Gorgeous tart! And your shots are making me crave caramel, even though I'm in no way craving sweets (or so I thought:)

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    1. Ha! Sorry Loretta! This caramel is off the charts. I'd be craving it even if I wasn't craving sweets, but I always crave sweets, so I guess I was doomed even before I got a running start! XO

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  4. This tart looks amazing Jenny! I want to sink my teeth into the whole pan! :)

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  5. Wow this looks so good! And I love the presentation of it in the rectangular pan!

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    1. Thanks Kat! I love the pan too. I've made umpteen savoury tarts in it, but never thought to use if for desserts for some reason, until now. Now I'm always thinking other sweet ways I can use it. XO

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  6. I have made something similar with a coconut crust. It is such a amazing combo!

    I can see you as quite the matchmaker. :-)

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    1. Chocolate + Caramel = Tears of Joy! My matchmaking itch is coming back. Any single friends that need to be fixed up? XO

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  7. Again, amazing. If you know of any handsome, single dudes in Saskatoon, hook a girl up, okay? :)

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  8. I'd love to have this for dessert, or anytime; it looks divine! Thanks for sharing at Mix it up Monday :)

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  9. Love how you just "slipped in" this fabulous dessert after your very enjoyable match-making adventure story :)

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  10. This looks awesome!!! We would love it if you would link up at our linky party:
    http://www.lifewiththecrustcutoff.com/two-girls-and-a-party-linky-party-21/
    Live every Wednesday to Sunday.
    Hosted by:
    http://www.lifewiththecrustcutoff.com/ Parrish @ Life with the Crust Cut Off
    http://thissillygirlslife.com/ Dana @ This Silly Girl's Life
    We hope to see you there!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Parrish! I'll be sure to check you out! Thanks for the love! XO

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  11. That's us!! Jenny I will never forget you were an angel to me and introduced me to the love of my life! I fall more in love everyday and now we are very very blessed to have a such a wonderful adorable beautiful baby boy in our lives! You ARE an amazing match maker, and I do believe people have to be open and willing to give it a shot, great things can come of it trust me!! :) Much love to you Jenny!! Your the best!! AND I love this recipe! I wish I could just reach into my computer and grab a piece to eat! :)

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    1. YAY! It is you! Thank goodness for the both of you and your open mindedness! I would have felt like a total matchmaker failure if one more potential relationship went belly up right out of the gatepost. You guys ROCK! And thanks for the love on the tart! It's like a big, gooey Twix bar. BIG love to the 3 of you, especially that gorgeous little man of yours! XO

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  12. If you're so good at matchmaking, why haven't you set me up on a one-on-one date with this tart yet? I mean, forreals, I think we would get along swimmingly :)

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    Replies
    1. I now pronounce you Hayley and Tart! May you have a delicious relationship....HA! XO

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  13. What a gorgeous dessert! Thanks for linking up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!

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  14. OMG! OMG! OMG! Stunning! Loving it! One question - what is the secret to prevent the crust from shrinking? My edges always sink. Even with pie weights...
    Thanks for sharing on Two Cup Tuesday. Pinned it!

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    1. Thank you Karyn! This link gives an incredible explanation as to why bad things happen to good crust. XO http://www.azeliaskitchen.net/why-does-my-pastry-shrink-step-by-step-guide-to-shortcrust-pastry/

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  15. It looks perfectly decadent! Gorgeous presentation & I love that tart pan!! Did you have to use pie weights when you blind baked the tart shell?

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  16. Thanks Christina! No need to add pie weights to this particular recipe. Just pop into the oven and bake for designated time! XO

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  17. Are you kidding me!? THis looks seriously too good to be true. And easy! This could quite possibly ruin my bikini season, oh wait....
    SO glad I found your blog (via Kitchen Meets Girl). Pinning this recipe.

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  18. Wow! this looks divine, i'd love for to share it over at my link party

    http://thevelvetmoonbaker.blogspot.ie/2013/06/sweet-savoury-sunday-17.html

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  19. Thanks so much for sharing your post at the Say G'day Saturday linky party. I will be featuring you at this week's party.

    Best wishes and hope to see you again this weekend!
    Natasha in Oz

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  20. This looks amazing! I'm going to have to try this!
    Toodles,
    Sara

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  21. omg that is all kinds of wonderful!

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  22. Like the *other* Paula said, I loved your segue into this dessert. The tart looks amazing and you don't have to worry about not having any *ladyballs* Jumping in and playing match maker for friends is a very ballsy thing to do and not for the faint-hearted. Continued success with it :)

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