chocolate and salt caramel tart

There seems to be a weird collective spirit amongst the family I married into to cluster birthdays all into the same small patch of weeks in the spring time.  Its a busy old time for cards, presents and of course, birthday cake making.

Little brother is finally here (joining the spring gang it must be noted) creating all the joy and pandemonium that a new baby brings.  However birthday cakes must still be made, and what sort of girl would I be if I didn't bake lovely Sister in law a birthday cake of her favourite chocolate flavour when she was down for her birthday weekend when Little brother was 2 weeks old.  I had pulled this recipe from a magazine some time ago and had been eagerly awaiting Sister in law's birthday so that I could make it for her- she being devoted, nay, evangelical about salt caramel.

It turned out very well, the dark chocolate being almost ganache like with a good slug of double cream and butter melted into it.  The caramel was pleasingly oozy, with a good sea salt tang to it and the crumbly base a good contrast to the richness above.

If you haven't had salt caramel before, I urge you to rush out and try it...you might like it.

He is here!

Just eight days late and arriving just 3 hours after we got to the labour ward, Darlings boy's little brother is here.  Our second son is totally perfect and an absolute dreamboat.  Everyone is delighted and even Darling boy seems pleased.  He insists on giving Little brother lots of kisses and cuddles- sometimes rather vigorously.  Perhaps what he is most pleased about is the toy farm yard that Little brother brought with him- a very canny move.

In short, we are settling in well together and are very happy.  Hooray, life is sweet.