This Caramel Peanut Butter Tart recipe creates the most decadent dessert! The nutty, salty taste of peanut butter pairs perfectly with the sweet, buttery taste of the caramel. Throw in a crunchy crust and a rich chocolate topping and you have a special treat for any dessert lover.
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This tart is simple to make and does not require the use of a candy thermometer. Just keep an eye on the saucepan while making the filling.
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Ingredients
The Peanut Butter Caramel Tart consists of the following three components:
- An 11" or 12" prebaked chocolate tart shell. My recipe for a chocolate pie crust works beautifully with the caramel and peanut butter.
- Peanut butter caramel filling.
- Chocolate ganache topping.
Peanut butter caramel ingredients
- Peanut butter: use chunky or smooth peanut butter - your choice! If using a natural peanut butter, be sure to stir well to incorporate the oils with the ground peanuts.
- Unsalted butter
- Heavy cream: this may also be listed as whipping cream in your grocery store
- Light brown sugar: dark brown sugar may also be used
- Sweetened condensed milk: This recipe uses 14 ounces of sweetened condensed milk (note: the standard size cans found at most grocers are 14 ounces).
- Sea salt: just a dash is used in the recipe. Add an extra teaspoon of coarse sea salt if you wish for a more salty caramel.
Chocolate ganache ingredients
- Light corn syrup
- Unsalted butter: softened to room temperature
- Heavy cream
- Bittersweet chocolate: use a high-quality chocolate and chop into small chunks.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Follow the detailed instructions in the recipe card below. Or, if you are a visual learner, be sure to check out my YouTube video.
Equipment
I recommend the following equipment for making this tart:
- An 11" or 12" tart pan with a removeable bottom makes unmolding the tart a breeze. Once the tart has set simply push up on the bottom of the pan to remove. Alternatively, you may use a large pie pan and slice and serve from the pan.
- A heavy-bottomed saucepan for making the filling. This helps prevent any scorching of the ingredients while heating.
- A few bowls, a whisk, a heat-resistant spatula and measuring cups and spoons.
Tart decoration ideas
Use your imagination when decorating this tart as the possibilities are endless. Consider one of the following ideas:
- Drizzle with caramel and sprinkle crushed peanut brittle on top.
- Place a layer of dried bananas around the outer edge of the tart - bananas and peanut butter are a pairing made in heaven!
- Sprinkle a tablespoon of coarse sea salt over the chocolate topping for a little added taste and decoration.
Storage
Place the tart in an airtight container or wrap with foil and store in your refrigerator for up to 5 days. Alternatively, wrap well and freeze for up to two months. To defrost, place in the refrigerator for a few hours.
FAQ
Yes, the Caramel Peanut Butter tart may be made gluten-free. The tart filling ingredients are all naturally gluten-free. This chocolate crust recipe may be made gluten-free by simply replacing the all-purpose flour with a 1 to 1 gluten-free flour mix.
More peanut butter desserts
Looking for other peanut butter dessert recipes? Try these:
📋 Recipe
Caramel Peanut Butter Tart Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Caramel Filling
- 8 tablespoons butter, unsalted 4 ounces
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- ¼ cup heavy cream 2 fluid ounces
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¾ cup peanut butter, crunchy or smooth
Chocolate Topping
- 6 ounces chocolate, chopped into small pieces 1 cup approximately
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted butter, softened 1 ½ ounces
- 1 tablespoons Light corn syrup
- ½ cup Heavy cream 4 fluid ounces
Tart Shell
- 1 11" or 12" Fully baked chocolate tart shell
Instructions
Caramel Filling
- Preheat oven to 350℉
- Add sweetened condensed milk, cream and peanut butter to a bowl. Whisk until well combined. Set aside.
- Combine butter, salt and brown sugar in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the butter and sugar are melted. Remove pan from heat.
- Add the condensed milk/cream/peanut butter mixture to the saucepan. Whisk until well combined. If needed, place saucepan back on low-heat and whisk until smooth.
- Pour filling into tart pan over the chocolate crust.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and place on wire rack to cool completely.
Chocolate Topping
- Place chocolate and butter in a bowl.
- Combine cream and corn syrup in a saucepan and bring to a low boil.
- Pour the cream / corn syrup over the chocolate / butter bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes, then whisk until smooth.
- Pour the chocolate topping over the caramel. Place in refrigerator for 1 hour or until chocolate topping has set. Decorate as desired.
Video
Food safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Beth says
All three of these flavors are so amazing together, but I haven't seen them in one tart like this very often. It's absolutely delicious.
Dannii says
The peanut butter in this was amazing. The perfect indulgent dessert.
TAYLER ROSS says
The combination of caramel and peanut butter in this tart was out of this world amazing! I already can't wait to make it again!
MIchelle Latinovich says
This looks divine. I will try this for my family for the holidays. Your recipes are always amazing! For those who like chocolate but not a large amount...would you suggest a different type of crust? Most of my family are definitely chocoholics but a few of them are not!
dessertswithstephanie says
Hello Michelle, thank you for stopping by. I have another recipe for a standard pie crust (it has a cookie-type texture). https://dessertswithstephanie.com/sweet-pie-dough/ I hope you have a chance to make the dessert!
Mary says
I rarely bake pies but I love to make tarts. This one did not disappoint with peanut butter and chocolate, hubby's favorite dessert combo.
Debra says
You had me sold at peanut butter and chocolate...and this decadent dessert did not disappoint. It was beautiful too.