Chocolate-Caramel Tarts

Puddings and Custards Recipes

Preparation Time: 60 minutes

Start to Finish Time: 2.5 hours

Yield: 2 dozen tarts

Set out on a platter or individually plated, these divine chocolate treats don't need to wait for a special occasion.

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon corn syrup
• 1-1/3 cups heavy cream, divided
• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 24 Cookie Tart Shells
• Garnishes: whipped cream; red currants, cranberries, or sliced kumquats; gold flakes (optional)

In a heavy saucepan over high heat, combine sugar, water, and corn syrup and boil, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Cook until light amber in color, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in 1/3 cup cream. Let cool and thicken, stirring occasionally. In a double boiler over medium heat, combine chocolate and 1 cup cream, stirring until chocolate has melted and is smooth. Stir in egg and vanilla and cook, stirring, until mixture thickens, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

Fill each tart shell with 1 teaspoon caramel, then fill with chocolate. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour. Place a teaspoon of whipped cream and a red currant (or other berry) on top and sprinkle with gold flakes if desired.

Cookie Tart Shells

• 1-1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon table salt
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon cold water
• Nonstick cooking spray

In a standing or electric mixer, cream together butter, salt, and sugar until fluffy and lightened in color. Add flour and water and mix just until combined. Roll dough into a ball, cover in plastic, and refrigerate 30 minutes (or overnight).

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly mist mini-muffin pan (or mini-tart molds) with nonstick cooking spray. Roll dough out to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into rounds with 2-inch cookie cutter (or cut to fit mini-tart molds). Gently press each round into prepared pan. Chill in refrigerator 30 minutes. Prick base of each tart with a fork. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool in tins on wire racks, then remove gently to fill. Yield: about 2 dozen tart shells.

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