12/9/09

chocolate-caramel tarts

Lately I've been giving you a lot of baked sweet nothings. That term sweet nothings can be taken so many ways can't it? I find it ironic that I am giving you food ideas on what to make to give as gifts for the holidays when I haven't even started. Yes, I haven't even started. Tell me I'm not alone (lie)? The only thing I can say that is halfway done are the Christmas cards-- half people, half. I still haven't a clue on what to make for holiday gifts for my friends and clients. Wouldn't it be awful if I gave them gifts and no food? Oh the horror! I think I would get a lot of sad, almost on the edge of tears, phone calls. Ha ha, I would never do that. I love to make foodie-gifts just simply for the mere pleasure of their facial expressions of pure happiness. That makes all the slaving in the kitchen soooo worth it you know?
Last year I made a version of poor man's toffee that was a huge hit. People are asking for it again, but I hate giving the same thing. I might just give these chocolate-caramel tarts. They are very easy, and I used a shortcut too. I bought the pre-made shell tarts from Whole Foods. I just didn't have the time to make the tarts by hand. I know, bad, but I am so strapped for time these days. If you don't want to buy the tarts you could easily make a cookie-crust that would be perfect--like crushed Oreo's?

So what foodie gifts are you giving this holiday season?

chocolate-caramel tarts

Take some pre-made mini chocolate or vanilla tarts, chill a bit in fridge. Take some melted caramel and fill tarts halfway, add in a roasted macadamia nut or two, chill in fridge until caramel is set. Then pour melted dark or milk chocolate to the top, let set. You could literally add in whatever you like: peanut butter, white chocolate, peanuts, almonds...endless possibilities.


print recipe

56 comments:

  1. I knew I shouldn't of clicked over from Twitter, those tarts look TOO good to be true! I want to try them NOW!

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  2. Oh gosh, these look so sinful, Dawn. I want one right NOW.

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  3. Yum! I bet a toasted hazelnut would be yummy in there too!

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  4. Awesome. Those look wicked good and easy! Heh, don't worry, you aren't alone. I haven't done anything for Xmas. Nothing at all. ;)

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  5. Chocolate AND caramel?!?!??!?! Stop it. Love it :)

    I always give homemade gifts for the holidays - Christmas ornaments, baked goods, accessories...

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  6. You make dangerous stuff, Dawn. Dangerously good!

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  7. These turned out so pretty! Ah the pressures of gifts! I am giving a few foodie gifts this year- granolas, walnut pumpkin bread (to my parents who adored the last loaf I made for them), cookies and mini muffins to neighbors. Maybe some popcorn balls. All good stuff

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  8. I would be so happy to receive these as a holiday gift! I am done with my shopping, which is rare for me, but now I get the time to relax and actually enjoy it all! Get done so we can call each other with a glass of wine in our hands....and a couple of these :)

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  9. Ohhh...YUMMY!!!! Endless possibilities!

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  10. Your recipes are only making it more difficult to get back into my running routine. I'm sure if I made these only a few would actually be given away as gifts. ;>

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  11. I think i just died, that looks amazing!

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  12. OMG...Dawn, please tell me you saved some for me.

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  13. Yummy! These look so good. Now i wish i had some desserts at my desk.

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  14. easy-peasy, completely versatile, and DELICIOUS. ladies and gents, we have a winner!

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  15. I better be on your holiday baking list!! LOL...I don't really get in to the whole holiday treats list, although I may make one or two things this weekend. I have to do one for Secret Santa and that's about it. Loving these tarts and I'll keep your secret about the premade shells.

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  16. Oh my. So dark and decadent! I have GOT to make them.

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  17. You are not alone in the no gifting department. It feels too early! Yet it's not. Just toss these in a baggie and send to LA stat.

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  18. these look gorgeous! and include some of my fav ingredients :) i hope to get to some cookie baking this weekend...

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  19. I have not stared either and I am NOT lying. I do have most shopping done but No wrapping, NO cards, No cooking, and No baking done. I think I will do Happy New Year cards this year and Himself is making homemade peanut butter for everyone in his office which takes some pressure off of me. I do like to give homemade kitchen gifts and this year will be doing my Hot Cocoa Pods for a cookie exchange instead of cookies. I am a nonconformist. Hehe!

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  20. OMG

    Can I have one? Will you mail it to me???

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  21. I love that you gave a great gift idea, with a basic skeleton for how to put it together, and then some variations to springboard from there. That way anyone can tailor this recipe to fit their style or that of the recipient (or both). Nicely done. Plus? I want to lick the screen.

    Best,
    Casey
    Editor
    www.tastestopping.com

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  22. Can I steal one? Can I? Please? I'm drooling...

    I'll probably be giving chocolate, per usual. Maybe muffins :]

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  23. I'm making poor man's toffee for sure. It kind of hurts me to use so much butter, but at least I'll be sharing! Those tarts look so yummy, they remind me of those delicious pb ones you made last time.

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  24. These look incredibly scrumptious! I think I'm making these! I feel like I have so much time left - I haven't planned anything yet! But I'm sure at some point panic will set in.

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  25. Oh, wow, those are looking completely sinful! Such delicious beauties!

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  26. Those tarts look AMAZING -- delicious! Want to sink my teeth right in!

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  27. wow. such a great and simple idea. they look so elegant too!

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  28. YUM is right! I just did something similar with some leftover sables dough from our TWD this week!
    And I'm in the same boat--nothing done, don't know what I'm giving out yet. And you're a step ahead of me--NO cards done! ;) Love the nut in the middle.

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  29. Those look soooo decadent! We're giving people jams, pickles & relishes we canned throughout the summer this year. It took a lot of last minute cooking off my plate.

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  30. These are a true work of art, Dawn! I love them!!!!

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  31. These look perfect! I love that you used store bought shells. Who has the time, really?

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  32. my mouth is watering, just looking at the picture.. I can almost imagine the taste..

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  33. I love these-- so easy and super versatile. These look incredible. Another bookmark for my holiday baking list!

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  34. These are beautiful to look at and must be amazing to eat! What a super Christmas treat!!

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  35. These look amazing! I love the carmel in the middle - yum! And you're ahead of me. I just ordered our Christmas cards tonight and haven't started baking yet either!

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  36. These look great! I don't mind having this as gifts =) to be honest, i haven't done anything either...

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  37. You are killing me here, Dawn. Can Tami refuse chocolate or caramel? I think not.

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  38. Oh God. Here I was, minding my own business, ready to start the Clean Eating plan, and then...

    Then, I bopped over to check out what might be new on vanilla sugar. Because Dawn's food blog is my all time favorite.

    And she did it. Killed me DAID! Well, any hope of "clean eating" is out the window for a good little while, I'll tell you that much!

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  39. what a delicious holiday gift! they look so decadent and cute... secret santa better get excited this is what i'm making =)

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  40. Anything chocolate works for me. I was going to try something similar and now you've just inspired me to to it. Thanks!

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  41. I haven't started on my baking or cards wither. It's stressing me out. I'm giving cookies again this year, but not sure what kind. I guess I should figure that out, huh?

    BTW, these look delish!

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  42. These would disappeared fast in my house. What a great treat.

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  43. These are so beautiful and sinfully decadent!

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  44. Those look freaking amazing. Holy crap I am drooling. Must make them..............

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  45. wow those look so rich! great color.

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  46. That first photo is so good! Its really like a piece of art. I'll bet they tasted great too! Congrats on an awesome post :)

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  47. I would be thrilled if you gave these as a gift to me, then again I would be thrilled at eating any of your delicious recipes Dawn.

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  48. That first picture is a show-stopper!

    And I think these would make fantastic gifts - easy so you can make a bunch of them, but still with a homemade feel.

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  49. These look absolutely amazing! I must try them!

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  50. i gained weight just looking at these! Oh my goodness these are the most sinful I've seen all day.

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  51. Instead of melting caramels, I might simmer a can of sweetened condensed milk for about 3 hours and make caramel that way. MMMMMM! CAn't wait to try these.

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  52. Wow, these tarts look ah-mazing! My food-centric gift this year is vodka infused with fresh cranberries, red delicious apples and cinnamon sticks.

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  53. OMG! I am drooling here at Starbucks! Forget their sweets, I need go to home and make these--oh, caramel

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