Crunchy Caramel Tart Recipes

WALNUT CARAMEL TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Put the flour in a food processor with the butter and sugar, and mix until it forms fine breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolk and 1-2 tbsp cold water, and pulse to make a firm dough.
• Have ready a 24cm tart tin. Briefly knead the pastry on a lightly floured surface, then roll out to a round about 5cm larger than your tin. Lift onto the tin with the help of your rolling pin, then press into the corners using your finger. Do not trim the pastry. Fill the pastry case with a round of baking parchment and baking beans. Chill for 10 mins. Blindbake for 10 mins, remove the paper and beans, then bake for 5 mins more.
• To make the filling, put the sugar in a large pan with 3 tbsp cold water. Heat gently, stirring to dissolve the sugar. When the sugar is completely dissolved, increase heat and bubble until the syrup has turned a rich caramel colour. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter until it has dissolved, then stir in the cream. Return to the heat and boil hard, stirring until the sauce is thick enough to leave a gap on the base of the pan when you draw your spoon across it. Stir in the walnuts.
• Fill the pastry case with the nut mixture, levelling it with a fork. Return to the oven for 8-10 mins until the filling is bubbling. Cool for 10 mins before removing carefully from the tin. Serve warm or cold.

CRUNCHY CARAMEL TART

Steps:

• Using a wooden spoon, mix 14 tablespoons butter in a bowl until light and fluffy. Grind nuts and sugar in a food processor, and mix into the butter. Beat in egg. Add both flours, and blend until just combined. Gather dough into a ball, and flatten into a disk. Wrap in plastic; chill 2 hours.
• Roll out dough to a 15 inch circle between two sheets of plastic. Remove top sheet of plastic, and transfer dough to an 11 inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press into pan, and trim edges. Place in the freezer for 15 minutes. Line dough with foil, and fill foil with dried beans (serves as a weight to help the crust keep it's shape).
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 15 minutes. Remove foil and beans. Bake until crust is golden, about 20 minutes. Cool.
• Combine sugar and water in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until mixture is a deep amber color, about 15 minutes. Brush down sides of pan with a wet brush, and swirl occasionally. Remove from heat. Gradually stir in 1 1/4 cups heavy cream. Add 1/4 cup butter, and stir until melted. Pour filling into crust.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) until filling bubbles and thickens, about 30 minutes. Filling will be wobbly. Cool. Chill until set, about 1 hour.
• In a heavy small saucepan, combine 3/4 cup heavy cream, chocolate, 3 tablespoons butter, and corn syrup. Cook over low heat, stirring until smooth. Pour over chilled filling. Chill tart until firm, about 1 hour. Let stand 30 minutes at room temperature before serving.

CARAMEL CRUNCH

Steps:

• Make the caramel crunch: Line a rimmed baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat; set aside. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1 1/2 tablespoons water; mixture should look like wet sand. Place saucepan over medium-high heat and cook until sugar is dark amber in color. Immediately pour caramel onto prepared baking sheet; let cool completely.
• Crack cooled caramel into large pieces and place in a resealable plastic bag. Crush into tiny pieces using a rolling pin; you should have a scant 1/2 cup of caramel crunch.