Some desserts just have a way of silencing a room. This Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart is one of them. It’s rich, glossy, deeply indulgent, and just the right kind of salty-sweet. The contrast between the dark chocolate ganache and silky caramel, tucked into a crisp cookie crust, creates a layered experience with every bite. It’s a showstopper, but surprisingly simple to make.
This tart is a triple threat: the buttery crust, the golden caramel center, and the smooth, dark chocolate topping. A pinch of flaky salt on top takes the whole thing to the next level. The textures play perfectly together—the crunch of the crust, the soft pull of the caramel, and the melt-in-your-mouth ganache.
We built this recipe for home bakers who want to impress without breaking a sweat. No candy thermometer, no hard-to-find ingredients. Just everyday basics and a straightforward method that yields bakery-quality results. Whether you’re planning a holiday dinner, a birthday surprise, or just a really good weekend treat, this tart fits the bill.
The crust is made from crushed chocolate cookies mixed with butter, then pressed into a tart pan and baked until firm. It’s the ideal base—rich, slightly bitter, and perfectly crisp. The caramel layer is cooked on the stovetop until golden and thick, poured into the crust, and chilled to set. Then comes the ganache: dark chocolate and warm cream melted together to make a silky, luxurious topping.
Chilling time is key. Each layer needs to set before the next goes on. But that time investment pays off big in presentation and taste. You’ll get clean slices, perfect layers, and zero mess. The tart can be made a day ahead, which makes it a perfect stress-free option for entertaining.
Serve it as-is or with a dollop of whipped cream or scoop of vanilla ice cream. Either way, it’s rich enough to satisfy any dessert lover, and the salt flakes give it a sophisticated edge that balances all the sweetness.
This dessert is also naturally egg-free and doesn’t rely on flour in the filling, making it accessible for those with certain dietary needs. The beauty of this tart lies in its versatility—you can tweak the chocolate intensity, caramel depth, or even add a little espresso powder for a mocha twist.
Every component works together in harmony. The crust is bold, the caramel is buttery, the ganache is smooth, and the salt cuts through just enough to make each bite interesting. It’s a dessert that feels luxurious but doesn’t take all day to make.
Servings: 8 slices
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Ingredients:
For the crust:
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs (from chocolate graham crackers or similar)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the caramel layer:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
For the chocolate ganache:
- 6 oz dark chocolate (60-70%), chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Flaky sea salt, for topping
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix chocolate crumbs and melted butter until fully combined. Press into bottom and sides of a 9-inch tart pan.
- Bake crust for 10 minutes, then cool completely.
- In a saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium heat. Stir until dissolved, then stop stirring. Let it bubble until golden.
- Carefully stir in butter, then cream and pinch of salt. Cook for another minute, then pour into crust. Chill 30–45 minutes.
- Heat cream until just simmering. Pour over chopped chocolate and let sit 2 minutes. Stir until smooth.
- Pour ganache over chilled caramel and spread evenly.
- Chill for at least 1 hour until set.
- Before serving, sprinkle with flaky salt and slice with a hot knife.
Tips:
- Use high-quality chocolate for best flavor.
- Make a day in advance for easy serving.
- Wipe the knife between cuts for clean slices.
- Store in fridge, but serve slightly softened.
Why You Will Love This Recipe:
- Elegant, rich, and indulgent
- Perfect texture contrast
- Surprisingly easy to make
- Great for make-ahead desserts
- Balanced with just enough salt
This Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart is a knockout dessert with layers of buttery crust, golden caramel, and glossy ganache. Each bite is rich, smooth, and perfectly balanced with a hit of sea salt.
