Chocolate Caramel Tart with Sea Salt Sprinkle
A rich chocolate tart filled with luscious caramel and topped with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, balancing sweetness with a salty bite. This french-inspired easter ready in about 40 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, powdered sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a food processor, pulse 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until combined. Add 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter cubes and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 2: Add 1 large egg yolk and pulse again until dough starts to form. Press dough into a 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom evenly.
- Step 3: Bake crust for 15 minutes until set and slightly firm. Remove and cool completely.
- Step 4: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup granulated sugar over medium heat, swirling occasionally until sugar melts into a golden amber caramel, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat and carefully whisk in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 3 tbsp unsalted butter until smooth.
- Step 5: Pour warm caramel into cooled tart crust and refrigerate for 1 hour until set.
- Step 6: Before serving, sprinkle 1 tsp flaky sea salt evenly over the caramel surface to enhance flavor contrast.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chocolate Caramel Tart with Sea Salt Sprinkle take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Chocolate Caramel Tart with Sea Salt Sprinkle?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chocolate Caramel Tart with Sea Salt Sprinkle?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Chocolate Caramel Tart with Sea Salt Sprinkle for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Chocolate Caramel Tart with Sea Salt Sprinkle?
French easter like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This tart stole the show at our Easter table. The salted caramel was heavenly—will make it every year!
- ★★★★☆
Family loved it, but the chocolate layer was thinner than expected. Still a hit!
- ★★★★☆
Perfect for Easter brunch! The sea salt contrast was divine, though caramel took 20 mins longer than stated.
