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Chocolate Stout Caramel Tart with Pretzel Crust

 


Chocolate Stout Caramel Tart with Pretzel Crust1

I was stuck in an elevator once.

I was in college, on my way to a job interview. The elevator was supposed to deposit me on the 9th floor a perfect 6 minutes before my interview time. But somewhere between the 4th and 5th floor, the elevator jolted to a stop, the doors slightly ajar, revealing my position of being stuck between floors. Frustrated that my plan to arrive at the perfect time was being hacked to pieces, I reach for my phone. No service.

I push the "door close" button, the 9th floor button again, and the lobby button again. Nothing.

I press the button with a phone on it. "Security" I hear coming from a circle of holes in the metal plate above the elevator buttons.

"Ummm, yeah. I’m in the elevator on the East side of the building, and it’s stuck. It stopped between the 4th and 5th floor."

"uuhhhhh….really? Did you push the buttons?"

"Yes I pushed the buttons! That’s the best you’ve got? Get me out of here!"

About 45 minutes later I hear sirens, a fire truck had come to my rescue. I hear low rumbling chatter and I can’t make out what the voices are saying, but within minutes the elevator doors close and the metal box I’d been trapped in slowly moves towards the lobby. When the doors open I’m met by a group of 5 firemen, who all cheer when the doors open. I laugh.

"How’d you get stuck?!" A charming young fireman says with a slight smile, "Did you push the buttons?"

"Yes I pushed the buttons, it didn’t help,"

I thanked them, and quickly left. Making my way to the 9th floor, hoping that my interview was still salvageable after an hour, I decide to take the stairs in spite of the 5 inch heels I’d chosen to wear that day.

Finally in front of the hiring manager who had written me off when I didn’t show up on time, I plead my case. After all, it really was a great excuse for being late.

"That was you?! I heard about that," He said after I’d explained the past hour, "Did you push the buttons?"

"Yes I pushed the buttons!"

Needless to say, I did not get the job.

Chocolate Stout Caramel Tart with Pretzel Crust 3

 

Chocolate Stout Caramel Tart with Pretzel Crust

Ingredients
  

For the Crust:

  • 3 ½ cup 4.5 wt oz mini pretzel twists
  • 2 tbs brown sugar
  • 8 tbs melted butter

For the Chocolate Layer:

  • 10 wt oz dark chocolate 62% cocoa content
  • 1/3 cup chocolate stout
  • 3 tbs heavy cream

For the Caramel Layer:

  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 12 tbs unsalted butter cut into cubes
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup chocolate stout

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • Add the pretzels and the brown sugar to a food processor, process until just crumbs.
  • While the food processors is running, add the melted butter, process until well combined.
  • Add the mixture to a 9-inch tart pan. Starting with the sides, press the pretzel mixture into an even layer.
  • Bake at 350 for 12 minutes or until dark golden brown.
  • Remove from oven, allow to cool.
  • In the top of a double boiler add the chocolate, stout, and cream. Stir until melted and well combined. Pour into the crust in an even layer, chill until set.
  • In a sauce pan add the sugar. Stir until melted. The sugar will clump before it melts, just keep stirring. Once the sugar has melted, stop stirring (you can swirl the pan to prevent burning) and allow to boil until the sugar reaches 350 on a candy thermometer. This happens quickly, stay close.
  • Remove from heat and immediately stir in the butter, cream and stout. Allow to cool for 15 minutes. Pour over chocolate lay, refrigerate until set, about 3 hours. Chill until ready to serve. Tart is best made a day ahead of time.

Notes

The caramel layer melts into a caramel sauce at room temperature. For a less messy tart, add about half the caramel to the top of the tart, reserving the rest for an alternate use, like ice cream. Store unused caramel in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Caramel will keep for up to three weeks.

Chocolate Stout Caramel Tart with Pretzel Crust-2

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Comments


Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar August 11, 2014 um 4:52 am

Oh man – love this! That pretzel crust and that gooey centre look perfect together!

Reply

Tieghan August 11, 2014 um 5:37 am

This is a chocolate lovers dream. YES!

Reply

Sophia @ NY Foodgasm August 11, 2014 um 6:39 am

This is absolutely amazing I am definitly gonna make this!!

Reply

Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen August 11, 2014 um 6:11 pm

Love Love LOVE pretzel crusts and the chocolate stout filling looks so rich and decadent!

Reply

Meredith August 12, 2014 um 11:48 am

Stuck in an elevator is the worst! This pie though is the best! Love the salty and sweet dessert combo.

Reply

J September 16, 2014 um 11:18 pm

i bet using Southern Tier’s Mokah in this would be absolutely brilliant and delish, also garnishing with chocolate covered espresso beans…just cause.

Reply

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