Sweet and salty is the new cool kid on the block. Whether it’s salted caramel sauce, chocolate covered pretzels or bacon and maple syrup, there’s no denying that the combination of sweet and salty is truly magical. So I have taken this glorious combination and made the ultimate sweet and salty Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Tart.
Featuring a crispy pretzel biscuit base, a slathering of homemade salted caramel and a thick layer of rich dark chocolate ganache, plus a few pretzels for decoration, it is a truly decadent dessert.
Are you a caramel fan? I can’t get enough of the stuff, whatever form it comes in. And now that I know how to make gorgeously creamy salted caramel at home with just four ingredients, I am more tempted than ever. The biscuit base for this tart is made using both digestive biscuits and salty pretzels.
You could use graham crackers instead if you have access to them or any other mildly sweet plain biscuit. You could also use store bought salted caramel if you prefer to make this a quick and easy dessert, but homemade salted caramel is worth the extra trouble.
Once you make the biscuit pretzel base and pour your salted caramel on top, it’s time for a little chocolate ganache. Or a rather thick layer actually. I used dark chocolate so it has a rich depth of flavour and isn’t too sweet. You will need to give yourself plenty of time for the tart to set, even overnight if you can.
The homemade caramel is super soft and gooey – just the way I like it and is best served cold. If you adore pretzels, caramel and chocolate, then this one is for you. I promise it’s a little slice of sweet and salty heaven.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Hungry for more? Join me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter for more amazing recipe ideas.
Let's Bake
Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Tart
Chocolate caramel tart with a salty pretzel crust.
Ingredients
Pretzel crust
- 150 grams (1 and 1/2 cups) digestive biscuits or graham crackers
- 100 grams (2 cups) pretzels
- 1 tablespoons caster sugar
- 115 grams (1/2 cup or 1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Salted caramel layer
- 300 grams (1 and 1/2 cups) caster sugar
- 115 grams (1/2 cup or 1 stick) unsalted butter, chopped, room temperature
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) thickened or heavy cream, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Chocolate ganache
- 200 grams (1 and 1/3 cup) good quality dark chocolate
- 180 ml (3/4 cup) thickened or heavy cream
- Extra pretzels for decorating
Instructions
- Crush your cookies and pretzels using a food processor until they resemble fine crumbs. Add sugar and melted butter and whizz again until the crumbs are nice and wet. Place the crumbs into your prepared tin and press into one layer on the bottom and up the sides using the back of a spoon. Pop into the fridge.
- In a medium sized saucepan, add sugar and pop onto a medium heat. Let the sugar slowly melt, swirling the pan occasionally or giving it a stir with a wooden spoon. Once the sugar completely melts it should be golden in colour.
- Let the sugar bubble away until it turns a slightly darker amber colour, but watch it closely as it can burn very quickly. Once the sugar is completely melted and is dark golden in colour, carefully add butter, and whisk immediately. It will bubble up rigorously so whisk quickly until the butter melts completely.
- Remove caramel from the stove and slowly pour in the cream whisking rigorously as you go. Once the cream is incorporated, add your salt and whisk again.
- Return your caramel to the stove with a candy thermometer and heat until it reaches the soft ball stage (235 F / 118 C). Pour caramel over cookie crust. Pop back into the fridge to set for 1-2 hours.
- To make the chocolate ganache, roughly chop chocolate and place in a bowl. Heat cream using the stovetop or the microwave until it is hot to the touch but before it starts to boil.
- Pour cream over the chocolate and leave to sit for 4-5 minutes. Whisk until ganache becomes smooth. Pour chocolate ganache over caramel. Press a few extra pretzels on top. Return tart to the fridge for at least 3 hours or even better, overnight.
Notes
You will need a candy thermometer for this recipe.
David says
Hi Jessica! All in all the tart was very delicious but the caramel was hard as rock. I think there should be a little bit less sugar and butter but more cream to make it softer.
Also the chocolate ganache broke the first time. It was so frustrating…
Please write in the recipe that thе chocolate and the heavy cream both should be warmed up before mixing them together.
Greetings from Germany 👋
★★★
Jessica Holmes says
Hi David, sounds like you may have overcooked your caramel. The chocolate doesn’t need to be warmed to make ganache, only the cream. If it split, you may have overheated your cream. Also make sure you are using good quality chocolate.
Preetika says
Hi can I use whipping cream instead ?
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Preetika, you can use whipping cream as long as it’s not actually whipped – hope that makes sense.