mini salted caramel chocolate pies

Ingredients

• Servings: 24
• pies:
• 24 mini pre-baked tart/pie shells (1 1/2 inches)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 4 ounces ghirardelli 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate baking chips, divided
• kosher salt for sprinkling
• caramel:
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

Recipe

Preparation Time: 45 mins Ready Time: 45 mins


• place mini pie shells on a rimmed baking sheet and set aside.
• heat heavy cream in a small saucepan set over medium low heat until hot and just starting to bubble. place 4 ounces of the bittersweet baking chips in a medium sized bowl and pour cream over the chips. cover the bowl with a plate and allow to sit for about 5 minutes. whisk chocolate and cream together until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth. allow ganache to sit for about 10 minutes. scoop 1/2 teaspoon of ganache into each pie shell and allow to sit at room temperature until chocolate is set.
• add cream and butter to a small saucepan set over medium heat and stir until butter is melted and cream is warm. cover and remove from heat.
• add sugar, corn syrup and water to a heavy bottomed saucepan (at least 6 cup capacity) and stir to combine. attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pot so that the tip of the thermometer is submerged into the sugar mixture, but not touching the bottom of the pan. set the pan over medium high heat, stirring the mixture until the sugar dissolves.
• once the sugar dissolves, stop stirring and allow mixture to bubble until the temperature reaches 350 degrees. the color of the sugar will very quickly turn dark amber toward the end of cooking. once the temperature reaches 350, remove from heat and gently pour in the cream and butter mixture. the caramel will bubble up furiously and then settle a bit. once mixture has settled a bit, stir with a heat-proof spatula or wooden spoon. add vanilla extract and salt and continue stirring until caramel is smooth and even in color. allow caramel to set for about 5 minutes.
• scoop 1/2 teaspoon of caramel each mini pie and allow to set at room temperature until caramel is set.
• place remaining bittersweet baking chips in a microwave safe bowl. microwave on 50% power for 30 seconds and stir. repeat heating steps until chocolate is melted. transfer to a zip top bag and snip off a very small amount of one corner, creating a fine piping bag. drizzle melted chocolate over caramel. sprinkle with salt.
• allow chocolate to harden and serve.