Tuesday, September 29, 2009

TWD: Chocolate-Crunched Caramel Tart


This week’s Tuesdays With Dorie treat is Chocolate-Crunched Caramel Tart. I was hoping our house would be set up for wireless internet tonight and I would be able to write my post from the couch, but sadly it’s going to take a least one call to the internet provider, so I’m going to keep this short ‘cos our overloaded DVR is calling my name. Dorie describes this tart as “a mix of posh and pop,” which seems very accurate: it is a beautiful slim tart, but I think this amazing caramelly, chocolaty concoction would be a hit pretty much anywhere you took it. I thought that this tart may be a little over-the-top decadent for me, however, I thought it was absolutely scrumptious.



After two bites, my boyfriend and I both emphatically scored it a 10. The tart did have several different components, so the Effort was 4, giving it an EDR of 2.5. On the Effort note, though, I am pleased to say I had a very positive caramel making experience. Most caramel making endeavors around here have been fraught with tears, bad words, and burnt caramel, but thanks to Dorie’s thorough instructions and Leslie of Lethally Delicious’s excellent blog post with photos, it was painless this time. I guess medium heat is the key to success – for me, anyway. Just for fun, I made both a regular sweet tart crust and also Dorie’s chocolate tart dough. Although they were both tasty, the buttery crunchiness of the plain shell complements the chewy caramel layer and the chocolate ganache much better.



Many thanks to Carla of Chocolate Moosey for a terrific selection. You can find the recipe on Carla’s site and see what the other bakers thought of this treat via the TWD blogroll.

22 comments:

Nancy/n.o.e said...

First, you're going to love wifi - I write all my posts from the couch (my little recliner chair, actually) and really get annoyed if I have to hoist myself up to get a cookbook for reference.

More importantly: WOW! Your tarts are so pretty. And thanks so much for test driving the different crust variations, I wondered about that chocolate crust. This recipe is a "10" for my testers, too, a "Top 10" in fact.

Karin said...

That looks delicious! My husband would probably love that dessert.

And thank you for you kind words. Its been a tough week but I've been running through recipes in my mind all morning for my daughter's birthday!

vibi said...

Ingenious idea to have made one with a chocolate crust... very pretty!

spike. said...

my dvr is on overload too! Your tart looks amazing- I love the layers

Unknown said...

I am so with you on the overloaded DVR! I can never seem to catch up. I echo Nancy's sentiments about wifi too - I can't imagine not being able to blog from my couch :)

Your minis are gorgeous!! I love that you tried two different crusts. I've had similar caramel experiences to you it sounds like, but I really thought Dorie's method was fairly foolproof. Yay for caramel success :) Great job!

chocolatechic said...

So glad that you liked it.

I gave it a 10 too.

Megan said...

Those look absolutely perfect Margot!

I can see that I need to give me crust pointers, since mine NEVER come out that good!

betty geek said...

I love minis and I love yours!

Look at those layers! Woo hoo!

Flourchild said...

I love the minis and the two different crusts..lovely! Im glad you liked this recipe!

Anonymous said...

your tarts look absolutely delicious!!! the chocolate crust is calling my name :) great job with the caramel!!

Leslie said...

Now I wish I'd made minis! These look so tempting. I'm so glad you mastered caramel. Next time I plan to reduce the amount of ganache so the caramel flavor really shines through. Didn't you feel like you were eating a restaurant dessert?

Anonymous said...

Your tarts look so cute! Thanks for the crust comparison; I only tried a plain crust but I agree that it was really good with the caramel.

Good luck with the wireless! I love being on the couch with my laptop and DVR!

Susan said...

Your tarts look divine! Love the chocolate one. And, I am posting on my couch right now. Love wifi!

Cakelaw said...

These look great Margot! I am jealous of your ganache - mine just didn't want to firm up.

Sarah said...

Yea, a 10! I actually thought about you when I tasted this one, wondering what you would give it. I give it a 10, too. I love that you made both crusts, I was wondering about the chocolate one. They look gorgeous, and I'm so glad that you had a positive caramel-making experience!

Rachel said...

My sister would have LOVED this in the chocolate tart crust. I do think it would be too rich for me. Your mini tarts look great. I will definitely make this again.

Anonymous said...

Your chocolate-crunched caramel mini-tarts look fabulous! You must be a whiz at dough too to make a chocolate one 'just for fun'! =)
The beau loved this one too (in fact, he decided to keep it rather than release it!)!

TeaLady said...

Margot - those are beautiful. Love the chocolate crust on the one. How decadent is that??

I WANT a laptop. Even if I have to run a looooooong cable so I can blog from my laptop (which would only be about 3 feet from my tabletop puter and the tv anyway - it's just the idea of it.

Thanks for coming by for a visit.

Shandy said...

Oh My Goodness! I so LOVE your tarts! The photo is absolutely perfect and I LOVE that you tried a chocolate tart shell too. You know, I hope you are better at being able to work the internet on the couch while other things are going on. I have wifi and end up getting side tracked with the tv while typing, forget what I am trying to type and write the darndest things. Now, I focus when I type. I want know one going into shock! =D I so crack myself up...BUT it's true.

Jacque said...

Oh, yours looks so perfect... and cute! Congrats on the successful caramel. I've had plenty of bad caramel experiences too and this one worked out just fine... Hurrah!

So I can totally relate.

AmyRuth said...

YAY for you! Yay for Leslie. I'm so glad you enjoyed making your caramel. I love your tarts. They are perfecto. So pretty. I love the way you rate the recipes. That is very clever and makes interesting posts. Well done. I loved the sweet tart crust too, but looking forward to trying with chocolate as well.
AmyRuth

Hindy said...

I agree that this tart sounded like too much but was actually just the right amount of sweetness. Love your little tarts!