Tuesday, September 29, 2009

TWD- Mini Chocolate-Crunched Caramel Tarts with Toasted Coconut Shortbread Crusts

This week's TWD, a very decadent dessert-Chocolate-Crunched Caramel Tart, is brought to you courtesy of Carla. You can find the recipe over at her blog- Chocolate Moosey or
elsewhere on the internet if you search for Dorie Greenspan's Chocolate-Crunched Caramel Tart.
I know because I wanted to see more pictures of this one and I googled it.
This is the sort of dessert that you would probably want to serve at a large gathering. A dinner party (like Wendy did) or at the end of your book club meeting (Nancy).

Some function that would benefit from a full-sized tart.
I knew that I would not be making this for that sort of function. Just because, well mainly because there was no such function to attend in a certain time frame.
I also knew that I had some leftover cookie dough in my freezer from when I made Toasted Coconut Shortbread.
A family of five just can't eat a whole batch of cookies at a time. Well, probably can, but shouldn't, so I had some cookie dough I needed to use.
I figured since we already had chocolate and caramel going on in this one, I might as well add some coconut. And please don't forget about the honey-roasted peanuts that are mixed into the caramel.
I had just enough cookie dough to make 5 little tarts in my muffin tin. Did I mention there are 5 of us? just kidding- I know I just mentioned that.
It worked out just perfectly.

Except I forgot to weigh down the cookie dough with something, so it puffed up like crazy. I had to cut out the middle of my cookie/tart thingies, so there would be a little room for some caramel and chocolate.
I used milk chocolate in my ganache because my husband always think that ganache is too bitter with semi-sweet and bittersweet chocolate and I really wanted him to eat one of these little minis.
I also sprinkled a little toasted coconut on top, before I put these in the fridge to set.

Kids loved it. They wanted to skip dinner and just move straight to the tarts.

It reminded me of a Twix candybar, but of course, much more delicious.

So, on second thought, don't wait for some sort of special occasion, since in reality everyday is a special occasion. Make this just for the heck of it. Whoever gets to taste a bite will be appreciative!

Go and check out what all the other Tuesday's with Dorie Bakers did when they made this tart!

One Year Ago- Pear-Oatmeal Muffins and Lime Cupcakes with Cranberry-Lime Filling and Marshmallow Frosting

27 comments:

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

Anything that tastes like a Twix candy bar sounds good to me.

Nancy/n.o.e said...

Love the tart cross-section! Great job using the dough you already had and making 5 portions. This one is so good that it might be worth keeping tart dough and ganache in the freezer for when one of those full-tart occasions does come up! One of my tasters usually prefers milk chocolate, but he's the one that thought the tart tasted "like love", haha.

Meghan said...

These look so delicious! I love Twix, so I'm sure these are just incredible. This also reminds me that I want to try that toasted coconut shortbread :)

Unknown said...

I think I could eat a pile of these crusts without the filling! Great photos!

Barbara Bakes said...

These look fabulous! I love the addition of coconut! Who got to eat the cookie middles you took out?

Maria said...

Toasted coconut makes everything better!

Kayte said...

These look so pretty and elegant...I would think you could serve these anytime anywhere anyhow and they would be a hit. Love your little takes on them...you are always so creative that way. Great job.

Sarah said...

Adorable minis, and what a wonderful idea to incorporate your cookie dough! I love the idea of toasted coconut with the other ingredients in this one. Perhaps I'll try that next time... Beautiful little tarts.

Soy*Baby said...

They look wonderful. I love the little minis. A coconut crust sounds delicious. Glad everyone liked them. I did have a piece of tart for dinner.

TeaLady said...

Looks delicious. I like the idea of the toasted coconut on top. Definitely adds a little something extra to the taste.

This one IS a keeper.

chocolatechic said...

Sounds great with the toasted coconut.

Nichicakes said...

So cute, I would love to have some of that crust- yum!

betty geek said...

I love the bottom picture! It basically says, look how good I look and eat me!

Great job!

Bella Baker said...

Those looks like the most delicious little tarts I have ever seen! Wow! What a great idea to sub in the cookie dough!! You are amazing!

Megan said...

I wish I had made minis - then I wouldn't have felt so bad throwing it away since no one liked it.

Anonymous said...

I love your little tartlets. Perfect for a family of five! hee! Great job though. I like the use of the cookie dough too.

Alexis said...

wow, great pictures. Totally loving the last one-yum

Leslie said...

These look crazy good! That last photo is fantastic! I'm glad the kids were fans.

Sweet as Coco said...

YUM! Twix bar??? Im IN! Im scurring to get mine up last minute...I made the wrong twd this week!! OOPS! Love your variation!!!

Pamela said...

Love that picture showing the inside of your tart! Delicious!

Delicious Dishings said...

Mmm! I've seen a few posts on this recipe in my Google Reader, but yours are the tiniest, so yours are my favorite! And I bet they were really good with the coconut shortbread. (Sometimes if you just poke holes in the dough before baking, it won't puff so much. That worked for me when I made mini tartlets.)

Cathy said...

Looks delicious! Love your minis and the toasted coconut. Still not sure where I went wrong with this one. Yours are beautiful!

steph- whisk/spoon said...

love the coconut addition! i'd want to skip straight to dessert, too!

Eliana said...

Mini AND with toasted coconut - this is my favorite version of this week's TWD selection.

AmyRuth said...

What a fun creation. Your very own little Mary-bar. I love the way you thought this one through once again with your resources. You are a smart cookie. ha ha ha I just made a joke... hehe Perfecto! Any left? Nope.
See you are good.
AmyRuth

Charli said...

Wow! I opted out of the crust in favor of an easier (and more suitable for less people) option, but the cookie crust option sounds really good!

Katrina said...

Wow, your little tarts look fabulous! Coconut!