We’re coming out of that time of year when people go nuts for all the cozy fall flavors: pumpkin, apple, maple, pecan, and more. Don’t get me wrong- I love a traditional Thanksgiving dessert as much as the average bird, but you know what’s always in season? CHOCOLATE. That single ingredient has gotten me through more breakups, celebrations, hard days, and more, and today, chocolate is the ingredient that will shine in our newest recipe: Ghirardelli Chocolate espresso tarts. Let me tell you all about them.
These chocolate espresso tarts are not for the faint of heart. These rich treats are for the chocolate lovers who aren’t afraid of a little indulgence and want to celebrate the coming weeks with a dessert special enough for the occasion. Here, a simple press-in cocoa and espresso powder-scented shortbread crust is baked in individual tart forms and filled with a silky semisweet chocolate ganache. Each serving is finished with a dollop of espresso whipped cream which complements each chocolatey bite both with flavor and texture. Here’s how to make them.
How to Make Them:
First, we start with the crust. Flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and espresso come together with a pool of melted butter. The crumbly aftermath gets pressed into the bottoms of 5 individual fluted tart pans and baked in a preheated oven. In the meantime, we can make the ganache. The Chocolate Chips combine with whipping cream and unsalted butter to make a ganache that sets up as it cools . Finally, we top each with espresso-scented cream and any extra crumbles of the chocolate crust you may have on hand. Voila!
The holidays may look different this year, but we can make them sweeter with celebratory treats like these. Many thanks to Ghiradelli for sponsoring this #GhirardelliBaking post; check out their site and your local stores for both their bittersweet and semi-sweet baking chip options that make our efforts in the kitchen rewarding and delicious. Happy Baking!
If you like these Chocolate espresso tarts tarts you should try:
These chocolate espresso tarts have an espresso and cocoa powder shortbread crust and are filled with a buttery semisweet chocolate ganache. Each one is topped with a dollop of espresso whipped cream!
Author:Kate Wood
Prep Time:15
Cook Time:10
Total Time:180
Yield:5 Tarts
Category:Dessert
Ingredients
For the crust:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup Ghirardelli cocoa powder
1 teaspoon espresso powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup (113 gm) unsalted butter, melted
For the filling:
2 cups Ghiradelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1 cup heavy whipping cream
¼ cup unsalted butter
Pinch of salt
For the espresso whipped cream:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons espresso powder
1/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
To prepare the crust:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and salt to combine. Add the melted butter and stir with a spatula to just barely combine into large moist clumps. Pat the mixture between 5- 4” fluted tart pans with removable bottoms. Gently press up the sides first and then pat the remaining crust into the bottom. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 or until the crust is set. Set aside to cool while you prepare the filling and whipped cream.
To prepare the filling:
Place the chocolate chips in a large heat-safe bowl. Gently heat the cream in the microwave or over a stovetop until barely bubbling. Pour over the chocolate chips and cover the bowl with a piece of plastic wrap. Allow to sit for 5 minutes and then use a whisk to stir to combine. Add the butter and salt and stir or beat to combine. Divide the mixture between the prepared tart pans and allow to set up at room temperature. When ready to serve, spoon on dollops of espresso whipped cream and enjoy!
To prepare the whipped cream: Dissolve he espresso powder in the whipping cream in a large bowl. Whip at medium speed until soft peaks form. Add the powdered sugar and continue whipping until fluffy to your liking.
If the radio silence around here and social media has given any wonder as to whether or not this website even exists anymore, let me just reassure you: we’re still alive. Last week, Hurricane Zeta passed through our town and absolutely wreaked havoc. We remained safe in our storm shelter and our house was relatively unaffected, but the landscape of our sweet city went through the ringer. At the present moment, 6 days later, we are still without power, and nearly every street is littered with down power lines, fallen trees, and various limbs and brush that have been gathered by home and business owners alike. As someone who lived in central Florida for 10+ years, I can say that the damage we’re experiencing is some of the worst I’ve seen, and man, I’m just grateful we’re all okay.
I’m eager for us to catch up on all that we’ve missed (hello, election!) and the events of the past couple of weeks (birthdays! holidays! big life stuff!), but for now, I want to share this maple cream tart with you. With a spiced pecan and cookie crust and a seriously rich and cream filling, this is a decadent autumn treat that would make a great addition to your upcoming holiday tables. Let me tell you how to make it!
Making the Tart
First we’ll start with the crust. Biscoff cookies are ground to a crumb and tossed with some pecans, butter, and brown sugar. YUM. After a quick bake in the oven, the cream filling is made on a stovetop using maple syrup, eggs, and milk. Spread the filling in the prepared shell and allow it to cool completely or overnight in the fridge.
Garnishing this maple cream tart is a cinch. I love to up the ante with a little homemade maple caramel. Here, all the texture and decadence of caramel combines with the nuanced flavor of maple syrup. It makes a seriously rich topping for this otherwise humble tart. I love to added chopped salted pecans for a little texture too, but you can go with whatever suits your taste!
Hugs to y’all. I hope you’re doing well and settling into the weirdness that is November 2020. I’ll see you next week with another fall recipe!
This maple cream tart features a biscoff pecan crust, a maple cream filling, and a quick and easy stovetop maple caramel.
Author:Kate Wood
Prep Time:25
Cook Time:30
Total Time:120
Yield:9 Servings
Category:Dessert
Ingredients
For the crust:
24 Biscoff cookies (186 gm), crushed to crumbs
1 cup finely chopped pecans (90 gm)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
¼ teaspoon salt
For the filling:
3 tablespoons cornstarch
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup milk
¾ cup maple syrup
2 large egg yolks
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons sugar
For the maple caramel:
1 cup maple syrup (not imitation)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ cup heavy whipping cream
¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
To prepare the crust:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the cookie crumbs, pecans, and melted butter. Stir to combine and press into the sides and bottom of a 9” tart part with a removable bottom. Bake in the preheated oven for about 9 minutes or until set. Allow to cool while you prepare your filling.
To prepare the filling:
In a medium saucepan, whisk together the cornstarch and salt. Add the milk, maple syrup, and egg yolks and stir to combine. Turn the heat to medium heat and bring to a bubble, stirring all along. Once thickened to a pudding consistency, remove from heat and place in a heat-safe bowl. Place a sheet of plastic wrap directly on top to prevent a skin from forming and place in the fridge to cool completely.
Once cooled at least to room temperature, whip the cream and sugar together until stiff peaks form. Stir the maple pudding; if you notice any clumps, you can push the pudding through a sieve to remove any clumps. Fold the whipped cream and maple pudding together until combined and spread into the prepared pie crust. Garnish with additional cookie crumbs or pecans. Allow to set up in the fridge while you prepare the caramel.
To prepare the caramel:
Bring the maple syrup to a boil in a medium saucepan and continue cooking without stirring until a candy thermometer reaching 230 degrees Fahrenheit (soft ball stage). Remove the pan from heat and carefully stir in the butter, cream and salt. Place in a heat-safe jar or container to cool slightly before serving with slices of the pie.
Learning new stuff as an adult is hard, right? As a kid, we pop off our training wheels or picked up a new instrument like it was no problem, with no hesitation at all. My kids race up and down stairs and climb on jungle gyms with no fear because it simply doesn’t exist for them. But us adults? Man, that stuff is for the birds.
This past week we traveled to Vail, Colorado for a few days of skiing with friends and our 6-year old, Aimee. This was my third time skiing in my life, and it never seems to get any easier. Physically, my body is okay with it, but mentally, I’m a train wreck. By the amount of fear in my eyes, you’d guess I was on a double black diamond with zero visibility, but in reality, I’m going 0.7 MPH on a slope that is basically flat. The anxiety is totally irrational, I know, but there’s no denying it’s there.
At the same token, I’ve also taken up piano. Although I took lessons briefly as a middle schooler, 20 years away from the keys have faded most of whatever skill I acquired in that little time. Even so, I’m loving the chance to experiment and dabble in something that feels new. It’s challenging, no doubt, but the whole process also instills a sense of pride. Like, hey! Check out this old dog learning new tricks! We as humans aren’t wired to just sit back and play it safe, even though that’s what we usually end up doing.
“We as humans aren’t wired to just sit back and play it safe, even though that’s what we usually end up doing.”
While it’s okay to stay in your wheelhouse and plug away at whatever your gifting is, it’s also incredibly fulfilling to step out of our comfort zones and into something new. When you succeed, even if it’s just skiing the beginner hill or playing something silly like “Chopsticks,” it changes something. You’re bolstered with a confidence to do more, press in, or risk it with something new. Do you know what I mean? Skiing is probably not for me, but I’m proud to say that trying new stuff isn’t just for kids. It’s for me and you too.
White Chocolate Raspberry Tarts
These white chocolate raspberry tarts are a new-t0-me sort of thing. I’m no stranger to ganache (remember my tutorial from a couple of years ago?) , but I’ve never made fruit-flavored ganache. The slightest bit of fresh raspberry juice makes these white chocolate raspberry tarts the prettiest shade of pink, and I think they may be the perfect treats for any of your upcoming Valentine’s Day events. Would you judge me if I told you that I added the raspberries 100% for that aesthetic pink? (Spoiler Alert: I totally did.)
Making the Tarts
To make them, we start with a simple press-in crust. Butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and flour come to together in a crumbly, shortbread-esque crust that gets pressed into the bottoms of 6 teeny tart pans. I like the ones with the removable bottoms so that they all pop out nicely. After baking, the white chocolate raspberry tarts are filled with the ganache. Fresh raspberries are pressed of their juice and warmed on the stove with some heavy cream. The warm mixture gets sent through a sieve to remove any seeds and combined with the white chocolate. Once combined, the mixture is pale pink, smooth, and ready to pour into the prepared tart shells.
Once the ganache has set up, the white choclate raspberry tarts are ready for serving! You can decorate them with whipped cream, fresh berries, or even extra chocolate and dried roses like I did here. After all, what’s more romantic for Valentine’s Day than chocolate and roses? Give these little tarts a try and let me know what you think! Happy Valentine’s Day, y’all, and happy baking!
If you like these white chocolate raspberry tarts you should try:
These white chocolate raspberry tarts have a fruit ganache filling and a soft shortbread crust. Plus they’re pink- so cute!
Author:Kate Wood
Prep Time:15
Cook Time:15
Total Time:120
Yield:6
Category:Dessert
Ingredients
For the crust:
¾ cup (170 gm) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1–1/2 cups (180 gm) confectioner’s sugar
1–1/2 cups (210 gm) all-purpose flour
For the filling:
Scant 2 cups (300 gm) white chocolate chips
1 cup (140 gm) fresh or frozen and thawed raspberries
1/2 cup (120 mL) heavy whipping cream
For decoration:
Fresh raspberries
Grated white chocolate
Lemon zest
Whipped cream
Whatever sounds delicious!
Instructions
To prepare the crusts:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cream the butter in a medium-sized mixing bowl until smooth. Add the vanilla and confectioner’s sugar and stir on low until combined. Stir the flour in on low until a crumbly mixture forms. When you press it between your fingers it should pack like wet sand. Divide the mixture between the 6- 4” tart pans with removable bottoms (I used about ½ cup in each pan) and press into the sides and bottom of the pan in an even layer. I find it’s easiest to press into the sides first and then smooth the remaining dough into the bottom. Place the tart pans on a rimmed baking sheet and place in the oven to pan until firm, about 13-15 minutes. Remove from oven to cool completely.
To prepare the filling:
Pour the white chocolate chips in a microwave and heat-safe bowl. Combine the raspberries and heavy cream in a heavy bottomed pan over medium-low heat. Use a potato masher to crush the raspberries and release their juices as your slowly heat the mixture. Once mashed and the mixture has barely began to bubble, remove from heat and use a fine mesh sieve to strain the mixture into the bowl of the white chocolate chips. Use a rubber spatula to smoosh any remaining juice or cream into the bowl but keep the raspberry seeds out (unless you’re into that kind of thing!) Use a whisk to stir the mixture and melt the white chocolate chips. If they don’t melt down completely, put the bowl into the microwave for 10 second increments to melt. Keep stirring and microwaving until all of the chocolate has melted. Divide the mixture into each cooled tart shell and allow to set up until completely firm. I like to do this at room temperature as opposed to the fridge. Some bubbles may pop up in the first few minutes and you can use a toothpick to pop those if you want. Once the tarts have set up you can place in the fridge to chill (if you want) or just go ahead and garnish and serve!
Do you think there will come a time when we won’t welcome another perfect chocolate recipe into our arsenal of go-to’s? Will decadent slices of chocolatey goodness like this fudgy brownie tart ever not feel synonymous with holiday desserts? NOPE. Chocolate is here to stay, folks, and today I’m happy to be sharing a recipe that is worth making room for in your kitchen this coming Christmas season. This graham cracker crusted bit of brownie magic is a delicious make-ahead option for those gatherings you’ll be hosting and attending this year, and I can’t wait to tell you about it. Let’s dive in.
Fudgy Brownie Tart
I love brownies. Whether they’re from a box, stuffed in an ice cream cake, or piled high with peppermint bark, brownies are my jam. Second only to a chocolate chip cookie (in my book, that is) brownies are an excellent go-to dessert-wise when we just need a sure thing. But what about those times when we’re feeling fancy or when we’re wanting something a little bit out of the box?
This fudgy brownie tart is a terrific option for those moments when you need a dessert that shines but is bound to make people feel great. Here, a simple graham cracker crust adds salt and texture to the rich fudgy interior. The filling, made up of butter, melted chocolate, and sugar, benefits from the addition of Red Diamond Classic Coffee which adds an extra layer of flavor and intensity to this already bomb dessert. The small bit of brewed coffee allows the chocolate to taste more chocolatey, and the dessert as a whole develops in complexity. Truly, coffee and chocolate make a beautiful duo.
Making the Tart
To make this fudgy brownie tart, we start with the crust. Crushed graham crackers, melted butter, brown sugar, and salt make up the bulk of the sweet and salty crumble. If you’re in the mood, you can throw in a tablespoon of that Red Diamond coffee for an extra bit of mocha flavor. The mixture gets pressed into the bottom of a fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. Bake it briefly while you mix up the filling. Chocolate and butter are melted together first. Next, the eggs and sugar whip together in a large bowl. Whisk in the chocolate mixture and then fold in the dry ingredients. Finally, a pour of brewed coffee is added to the batter. I’d highly recommend a little extra coffee here because you know it’s going to taste delicious with the tart.
The final product is a simple fudgy brownie tart that feels just right for just about anything. You can feel free to top it with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream; I prefer it with a single fork and a great cup of coffee.
Many thanks to Red Diamond for sponsoring today’s post. I’m very happy to be able to partner with an Alabama local, family-owned company! Red Diamond offers the finest ground and whole bean coffee in a variety of blends. It’s all slow-roasted from 100% Arabica coffee beans. Their classic blend is perfect for including in baked goods like this fudgy brownie tart, and it’s delicious enough to enjoy as a beverage alongside it. Check out their products at a store near you, and thank you for supporting brands that make Wood and Spoon possible. Happy baking to you all and have a great week!
If you like this fudgy brownie tart you should try:
This fudgy brownie tart has a rich chocolate center and a sweet and salt graham cracker crust. Tastes like brownie batter!
Author:Kate Wood
Prep Time:10
Cook Time:30
Total Time:40 minutes
Yield:9 servings
Category:Dessert
Ingredients
For the crust:
1/3 cup (70 gm) brown sugar, packed
2 cups (200 gm) graham cracker crumbs
1/2 teaspoon salt
7 tablespoons (100 gm) unsalted butter, melted
For the filling:
6 tablespoons (90 gm) unsalted butter
½ cup (125 gm) chopped dark chocolate (70%)
¾ cup (150 gm) sugar
2 large eggs
¼ cup (35 gm) all-purpose flour
¼ cup (30 gm) cocoa powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup strong-brewed Red Diamond coffee
Instructions
To prepare the crust:
Preheat the oven to 350. Whisk together the brown sugar, graham cracker crumbs, and salt in a medium sized bowl. Add the melted butter and stir until well combined. Press the crumbs into the bottom and sides of a 9-10” tart pan with a removable bottom. Bake in the preheated oven for 9 minutes or until set. In the meantime, prepare your filling.
To prepare the filling:
In a double boiler or heavy bottomed pot set over low heat, gently melt the butter and dark chocolate, stirring regularly, until melted completely. In a large bowl, beat together the sugar and eggs until pale and slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes. Gently fold in the melted butter and chocolate mixture and then fold in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Stir in the coffee just until combined and then pour the batter into the prepared crust. Bake in the oven until the top is set and only barely jiggles in the center, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely before cutting.
The countdown is on. It’s two days until we all stuff our faces full of dressing, pie, and turkey (jk, we’re all just here for the sides), and I am so ready. I guess there’s people in America who don’t get into the communal tradition of a shared table and breaking bread, but, if you didn’t already guess, I am so here for any reason to pile my plate full of carbs and stare across the spread at a bunch of faces I love.
For a family-focused baking blogger, Thanksgiving is my dream day, and I can’t wait to dive in. So if you haven’t already nailed down exactly what you plan to contribute at the holiday feast you’re attending, let me lovingly nudge you in the direction of these gouda cheese puffs and a simple holiday snack board. It’s a cute and yummy way to make a fancy looking spread, and I’m eager to get a few of y’all in the kitchen to make it.
Holiday Snack Boards
So why a holiday snack board? Why these gouda cheese puffs? Thanksgiving may be all about the main event of a turkey plus some fixin’s (that’s Southern talk for side dishes, by the way), but every gathering needs a few appetizers. You can consider these gouda cheese puffs the pre-game to any Thanksgiving supper, and loading them onto a snack board with a spread of other semi-homemade treats is a surefire way to make your guests extra thankful. Let’s start by chatting the ins and outs of the puffs.
These gouda cheese puffs utilize the star shortcut of store-bought puff pastry. The frozen dough is really simple to work with and adds a terrific amount of texture and flavor to whatever baked appetizer you’re making. Here, the dough is loaded up with a buttery onion and thyme saute and then baked under a blanket of Kerrygold Blarney Castle cheese. Yes, it’s as delicious and indulgent as it sounds, and they’re fun to make! Here’s how to do it.
Making the Puffs
First, follow the instructions on your puff pastry to gently and briefly thaw it out. Unfold the sheet and use a 2″ round cookie cutter to trim out rounds of dough. Place them on a prepared baking sheet and then use a second smaller cookie cutter or a pairing knife to score a 1/4″ border around the dough. We do this so that the piled toppings can rest in the middle while the outer 1/4″ can puff and flake in the oven. YUM.
Put the prepared dough in the freezer to keep cold while you prep the rest of the ingredients. Thinly sliced onions cook down with butter and thyme until translucent and barely browned, and Worcestershire sauce and ground mustard are added to the mix for extra flavor. Set the onions aside to cool while you grate the Kerrygold gouda, and then pile it all into the unbaked puff pastry.
Once baked, the outer edge of the pastries are puffed while the interior is rich and ultra-savory. These are best served right after baking and topped with bacon or tomato jam. YUM. In the meantime, you can begin prepping your holiday snack board. Here’s a few details on how to throw one together in a cinch!
The Board:
Feel free to assemble your snack board on any type of serving tray or platter that you have. I like to make sure mine if brimming with lots of goodies, so consider what you plan to put on it while picking a platter. Here I’ve used a slate cheese board, but a fine wood cutting board, ceramic dish, or even a pizza board works splendidly! I’ll link a few favorites here and here and here.
The Snacks:
I like to anchor my snack boards with a few larger staples. Here, the gouda cheese puffs were the main event. I supplemented entirely with store-bought appetizers. Pre-made hummus was gussied up in a pretty dish with an extra drizzle of olive oil and spice. A whipped goat cheese dip that I found at my grocery store also got the royal treatment in a fresh bowl with herbs. Finally, a single block of cheese (I’m looking at you, Kerrygold!) and some peppered salami bulk up the offerings and and add some substance to an otherwise carb-fest. Other great options to consider include veggie dip, pimento cheese spread, a baked wheel of brie, or another kind of salsa or dip.
Once you’ve got some heavy hitters on your board, fill in the gaps. Assorted crackers, cheese straws, sliced baguette, or pita chips are a few of my favorites. Choose varieties that taste good and will add texture to your board. With any remaining space I like to add pickled veggies, olives, bite-sized fruits, or any variety of crudités. Jams, relishes, or a small jar of honey often work well too depending on the elements of your board.
Assembly:
Start your board assembly with the larger items or anything that requires a bowl. It’s easier to fill in with the snack crackers and relishes than it is to try to find a home for a giant cheese log. Start big and work your way smaller. You can garnish your store-bought dips and spreads with fresh herbs or a drizzle of olive oil to make it feel homemade. No one has to know you just threw a bunch of pre-made goods on a tray! If toothpicks, relish forks, or spreading knives are needed for any of your board items, be sure to bring those with you so that your host isn’t left rummaging for them at the last minute. This is supposed to make things easy, remember?
Many thanks to Kerrygold for sponsoring this post! I love to include their cheeses on my board, and it was a happy find that their gouda tasted so great on the gouda cheese puffs. If you’re in need of a last minute addition to your Thanksgiving menus, I hope you’ll include these! I’m incredibly thankful for all your who join in on my baking fun and will certainly be counting you on my gratitude list this year. Happy baking and Happy Thanksgiving!
If you like these gouda cheese puffs you should try:
These gouda cheese puffs are made from flaky puff pastry, sautéed onions, and shredded cheese. Little appetizers with yummy flavor!
Author:Kate Wood
Prep Time:15
Cook Time:20
Total Time:35 minutes
Yield:12
Category:Appetizer
Ingredients
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package instructions
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 large white onion, sliced thinly (1/8”)
½ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
½ teaspoon Worcestershire
1 egg, lightly beaten, if desired
1 cup shredded gouda cheese
3 tablespoons grated parmesan
1/3 cup bacon jam
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unfold the puff pastry sheet on the piece of parchment or on a lightly floured counter. Use a 2” round cutter to trim out 12 circles of dough. You may have extra dough- feel free to freeze and save or make a double batch of puffs. Use a smaller round cutter or a paring knife to score a ¼” border around the edge of each pastry circle and prick the inner circle with a fork a few times. Place in the fridge to keep cool while you prep your filling.
In a sauté pan over medium heat, melt the butter and olive oil together. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring regularly, until the onions are soft and translucent. Add the thyme, salt, and pepper, and continue to cook until the edges of the onions start to get dark. Add the mustard and Worcestershire and stir to combine. Remove from the heat.
If desired, add a teaspoon of water to the lightly beaten egg and use a pastry brush to paint a thin layer of the wash on top of each tart. Divide the sautéed onions among the rounds of , piling a few onions only into the inner circle of each round. Depending on the size of your onion you may have a little leftover. Divide the cheese among the tarts, sprinkling it and the parmesan directly on top of the onions. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the puffs have risen and the edges are golden. Remove from oven and set aside to cool slightly. Add a teaspoon of the bacon jam to the top of each tart and serve!
Is it just me, or is it way too easy to come home from vacation straight up exhausted? Brett and I spent this past weekend up north, traveling a few days in Boston and Martha’s Vineyard. It was my first time to the area, and I’m excited to report that both were equally charming in their own unique way. Per custom, I have a new recipe to share with you this week as well as the run down on everything we ate, drank, and saw during our time in the northeast.Stay tuned for the brown butter pear tart and read on about our trip!
Where We Stayed:
What started as a trip to Martha’s Vineyard turned into a two part vacay: phase one spent enjoying the big city historical scene of Boston and phase two spent relaxing in the off-season quiet of Martha’s Vineyard. After a few recommendations from friends, we opted for a spunky modern hotel option in Boston, The Envoy, and a quaint bed and breakfast on the vineyard, the Hob Knob. Both were well suited to their respective locations and felt right for our time there. I’d definitely recommend both if you’re looking for a sure thing on your next visit!
What We Ate:
What DIDN’T we eat might be the more appropriate question. This was a non-stop parade of food, fine restaurants, and pastries. I was excited to find many delicious lunch and dinner options in Boston, but found the bakery scene proved to be rather lackluster. There was, however, no shortage of amazing cocktails and pubs. We also loved checking out the food truck scene at Rose Kennedy Greenway.
We arrived in Martha’s Vineyard in what we were told was the last big week before the island shut down for the season. Luckily, we still found many of the places recommended by friends to be open! Our palates were equally happy to learn that the Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival was taking place while we were there. Brett and I were lucky enough to snag tickets to the main tasting on Saturday afternoon. Dozens of wine purveyors and chefs from the Northeast flocked to the island to serve up their goods, and it was a ball. There’s nothing like day drinking and bite-sized appetizers to help you make friends in a new place. If you’re ever in the region during the festival, I highly recommend giving it a try! See below for the full list of local restaurants we visited during our time away.
With a number of locations across Boston, Tatte offers a variety of delicious baked goods, coffees, and lunch options in a seriously aesthetic atmosphere.
Although there’s loads to do in both Boston and Martha’s Vineyard, both areas are spread out in such a way that they weren’t entirely walkable. Luckily, Uber and Lyft were both readily available, and we found it was simple to catch a ride to wherever we wanted to be. Boston is brimming with loads of historical sites and museums, so we spent a good bit of time checking those out. Brett was eager to grab a beer at the Beantown Pub, a bar across the street from Samuel Adams’ gravesite, so that he could “drink a cold Sam Adams while looking at a cold Sam Adams.”( I’ll pause for eye rolling.)
Per recommendation from friends, we took a day trip to Cambridge to get a glimpse of Harvard University. The school is spread out all over the city, but it was intriguing just to poke around and eavesdrop on random conversations. At one point, two gentlemen sitting beside me at lunch were having an in depth conversation about hydrogen atoms. Clearly this Dorothy wasn’t in Kansas anymore.
Although the landscape of Martha’s Vineyard is primarily suited for summertime activities, I found the chilly, autumnal version of the island peaceful and charming. We spent most of our time nosing through Mom and Pop stores in downtown Edgartown and taking in the coastal views. If you’re at all interested in fishing or water sports, I’d highly recommend checking out boat rentals as that would be a great way to spend a weekend there.
Brown Butter Pear Tart
Let me start by saying that I adore this tart. Months ago, I ran across a photo of a beautiful layered pear pie. It had, what appeared to be, a phyllo crust filled with thin slices of pears overlapping on one another in a concentric fashion. The crust was browned and flaked and the filling was speckled with fresh pomegranate seeds. Although I wasn’t able to find a recipe for the creation, I decided I needed to make a dessert with a similar look. The brainstorming began.
Here’s what I ended up with: a brown butter pear tart. A simple, press-in sweet pastry dough is filled with a thin layer of brown butter custard and a mountain of fresh sliced red Anjou pears. Upon baking, the pears release their juice and soften, the flavors from the fruit quietly melting into the custard underneath it. The pastry crust, albeit simple, is the perfect vehicle for the subtle flavors; it offers texture and sweetness while still allowing the filling to sing.
A Few Notes on This Tart
This brown butter pear tart features Kerrygold unsalted butter in two fashions. First, cold chunks of butter are cut into the dry ingredients to create a tender and mildly buttery shell. The dough for the tart crust is so ridiculously delicious; I found myself eating almost as much as I pressed into the pan. Kerrygold butter is also found throughout the brown butter custard. If you need a few pointers on browning butter, please check out my how-to post here.
This brown butter pear tart is without a doubt one of the most unassuming and delightful holiday desserts I’ve made in a long time. Although we’re still a couple of days away from the holiday season, it’s never too early to get planning, and I really think you need to consider this tart in the lineup of Thanksgiving and Christmas treats. Give it a try and let me know what you think! Many thanks to Kerrygold for sponsoring this post, and thanks to you all for supporting brands that make Wood & Spoon possible. Happy baking!
This brown butter peat tart has a sweet pastry crust, a brown butter custard, and a layered pear filling.
Author:Kate Wood
Prep Time:30
Cook Time:30
Total Time:1 hour
Yield:9
Category:Dessert
Ingredients
For the pastry dough:
1–1/4 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup cold unsalted butter
1 large egg yolk, white reserved
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons of ice water, plus more as needed
For the filling:
½ cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2–3 large red pears, halved, cored, and sliced in 1/8” slices
Pomegranate seeds, about ½ cup
Toasted walnuts, if desired
Instructions
In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Pulse in the butter until it resembles pea-sized crumbs. Don’t over-process. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolkd and vanilla. Pulse the egg yolk mixture into the flour just until combined. Add the water and pulse to combine. Don’t process it to the point of it coming together into a dough. The mixture should still be shaggy but should clump together when you squeeze a bit of the mixture together in between your fingers. If it’s still dry add another teaspoon or so of ice water and then pulse to combine. Dump the mixture out onto a clean work surface and bring the dough together into a ball. Flatten it out into a disk, wrap it is plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes but preferably 2 hours.
When ready to prepare your pie, roll the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Roll out the dough to fit into a 9” tart pan with a removable bottom. The dough should be about 2” larger than the pan on all sides. Roll the dough onto your lightly floured rolling pin and gently unroll it into your tart pan. Gently fit the dough into the edges of your pan and use a paring knife or kitchen scissors to trim any dough that extends over 1” the lip of the pan. Press the dough gently into the sides of the pan and use any leftover dough to reinforce the sides where needed. Put the pan in the freezer to set up for 30 minutes while you preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
When ready to bake, prick the bottom of the tart dough with a fork a few times. Use a sheet of parchment to line the pastry dough inside the pan and f ill the tart pan with pie weights (you can also use dried beans or dried rice). Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes then remove the parchment and weights from the tart pan. Gently brush the crust with a thin layer of the egg white and bake for 5 more minutes. In the meantime, prep your filling.
Cube the butter and add to a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan to being browning it. Place the pan on medium heat and stir gently with a whisk regularly to allow the butter to melt evenly. Once melted, keep stirring regularly to allow the butter to cook, sizzle, and foam evenly. You’ll begin to notice golden flecks appearing at the bottom of the pan and the butter will become fragrant. When there are amber-colored flecks throughout the butter mixture your butter is browned! Don’t let it burn! Immediately remove it from the heat and pour into a heat-safe mixing bowl. Stir in the sugar. Stir in the egg and vanilla extract and then fold in the flour. Pour the mixture into the par-baked pastry shell and spread to even it out. Cover the filling in a layer of fanned pear slices. Keep the slices in tight on one another to prevent the filling from baking up over on top of them too much. Bake in the preheated oven for an additional 35-40 minutes or until the crust is golden and the filling it cooked underneath. The pears shouldn’t jiggle on top of the pie when the pie is done. Allow to cool serve with a sprinkle pomegranate seeds and toasted walnuts. Enjoy!
At any given moment, if you open our fridge or freezer, there’s bound to be a few hidden gems. Tucked in the farthest corner, say, behind a jar of pickles and last nights leftovers, you’re likely to find a secret plate of dessert that no one knows about… except for me. If you, like me, live with a bunch of hungry little people, you know the importance of staking a claim on the good stuff while you have a chance, so today I’m going to share the recipe for this double chocolate ganache tart, a dessert that I stuck a flag in and called my own.
When you’re raising toddlers, it seems as if they exist on the grass that they perceive to be not so green. Example: Aimee wants the toy George is playing with, and George wants to sit in Aimee’s chair. If George orders chicken, he wants Daddy’s sandwich. If Aimee asks for grapes she will eat Mommy’s cheese. It’s a never-ending back and forth of one-upping and musical chairs, and frankly, it’s exhausting.
Listen. There are very few things that I can claim as mine. My time, my car, my body, and basically anything else that one would think they could manage on their own is up for grabs when kids are involved. So when I make something like this double chocolate ganache tart, you better believe I’m hiding it. I’m wrapping it in foil and hiding it behind scary leftovers. I’m labeling it as something terrifying like “vegan meatball mash” or “overcooked broccoli,” and when I’m certain the children have fallen asleep, I sneak to the fridge. Gingerly, as quiet as I can be, I unwrap it, take a few bites, and return it to the fridge before anyone knows I’m even in the kitchen. Stealth is of the utmost importance when food is involved, and this tactic is especially important when hosting guests like a mother in law, cousins, or a sweet-toothed sister. You gotta James Bond to and from the fridge if you want that dessert all to yourself.
Double Chocolate Ganache Tart
So why is this double chocolate ganache tart so special? For one, it’s got the sweet and salty flavor vibe that you know is my jam. The crust here is a pretzel and brown sugar combo held together by loads of shimmery liquid gold (aka BUTTER). The crust bakes until it tastes like a caramelized crunch. The filling is rich with two layers of ganache, one white and one bittersweet, layered on top of one another in a balance of flavor that is almost too perfect to describe. I’m always one for a rich chocolate tart, but here, with the addition of the white chocolate, the flavor isn’t overwhelmingly bitter and it makes for a dessert that keeps you coming back for bite after bite.
This double chocolate ganache tart is being brought to you today by my friends at Kerrygold! If a dessert calls for butter, I always depend on Kerrygold to up the flavor and quality. Here, butter holds together our deliciously salted crust. It also plays a role in smoothing out the ganache so that it totally melts in your mouth. Butter makes everything better, but especially the secret treats you sneak for yourself. You’ve earned quality butter, so definitely depend on it for this double chocolate ganache tart.
If you have a chance, I hope you’ll make this double chocolate ganache tart this week! In the meantime, I’m going to be developing my idea for a branded tupperware that is labeled “last week’s meatloaf.” You know, something to keep the wandering paws away. Don’t you think that would sell? Have a great week and pop by again later this week for a second recipe. Happy baking!
If you like this double chocolate ganache tart you should try:
This double chocolate ganache tart features two layers of ganache and a sweet and salty pretzel crust.
Author:Kate Wood
Prep Time:15
Total Time:120
Yield:9
Category:Dessert
Ingredients
For the crust:
5 ounces of pretzels
1/4 cup (55 gm) brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup /1 stick (115 gm) of unsalted butter, melted
For the white chocolate ganache:
1/2 cup (120 gm) heavy whipping cream
6 ounces white chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
For the dark chocolate ganache:
1/2 cup (120 gm) heavy whipping cream
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
To prepare the crust
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a food processor, whiz the pretzels, brown sugar, and salt until the pretzels are crumbs. Add the melted butter and pulse to combine. Alternatively, you can crush the pretzel and stir the other ingredients in to combine.
Pat out the crumbs into the bottom and sides of a 10″ tart pan. Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes until set. Set aside to cool while you prepare your ganache.
To prepare the filling:
Pour the white chocolate into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Gently heat the heavy whipping cream for the white chocolate ganache on the stove over medium-low heat. Once the cream around the edges of the pan start barely bubbling (don’t overheat it!), remove the pan from the stove and pour over the white chocolate. Whisk until smooth. Add the butter and whisk to incorporate. Pour the white chocolate ganache into the bottom of the pretzel crust and spread to smooth. Put the pan into the freezer or fridge to set up quickly while you prep your dark chocolate ganache.
To prepare the dark chocolate ganache, repeat the process as used for the white chocolate ganache. When the white chocolate ganache is fairly set, pour the dark chocolate ganache on top and spread the smooth. Allow the tart to rest until the ganache is set. Garnish with fleur de sel and either fruit or additional pretzels. Enjoy!
Is it just me, or is it way too easy to come home from vacation straight up exhausted? Brett and I spent this past weekend up north, traveling a few days in Boston and Martha’s Vineyard. It was my first time to the area, and I’m excited to report that both were equally charming in their own unique way. Per custom, I have a new recipe to share with you this week as well as the run down on everything we ate, drank, and saw during our time in the northeast.Stay tuned for the brown butter pear tart and read on about our trip!
Where We Stayed:
What started as a trip to Martha’s Vineyard turned into a two part vacay: phase one spent enjoying the big city historical scene of Boston and phase two spent relaxing in the off-season quiet of Martha’s Vineyard. After a few recommendations from friends, we opted for a spunky modern hotel option in Boston, The Envoy, and a quaint bed and breakfast on the vineyard, the Hob Knob. Both were well suited to their respective locations and felt right for our time there. I’d definitely recommend both if you’re looking for a sure thing on your next visit!
What We Ate:
What DIDN’T we eat might be the more appropriate question. This was a non-stop parade of food, fine restaurants, and pastries. I was excited to find many delicious lunch and dinner options in Boston, but found the bakery scene proved to be rather lackluster. There was, however, no shortage of amazing cocktails and pubs. We also loved checking out the food truck scene at Rose Kennedy Greenway.
We arrived in Martha’s Vineyard in what we were told was the last big week before the island shut down for the season. Luckily, we still found many of the places recommended by friends to be open! Our palates were equally happy to learn that the Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival was taking place while we were there. Brett and I were lucky enough to snag tickets to the main tasting on Saturday afternoon. Dozens of wine purveyors and chefs from the Northeast flocked to the island to serve up their goods, and it was a ball. There’s nothing like day drinking and bite-sized appetizers to help you make friends in a new place. If you’re ever in the region during the festival, I highly recommend giving it a try! See below for the full list of local restaurants we visited during our time away.
With a number of locations across Boston, Tatte offers a variety of delicious baked goods, coffees, and lunch options in a seriously aesthetic atmosphere.
Although there’s loads to do in both Boston and Martha’s Vineyard, both areas are spread out in such a way that they weren’t entirely walkable. Luckily, Uber and Lyft were both readily available, and we found it was simple to catch a ride to wherever we wanted to be. Boston is brimming with loads of historical sites and museums, so we spent a good bit of time checking those out. Brett was eager to grab a beer at the Beantown Pub, a bar across the street from Samuel Adams’ gravesite, so that he could “drink a cold Sam Adams while looking at a cold Sam Adams.”( I’ll pause for eye rolling.)
Per recommendation from friends, we took a day trip to Cambridge to get a glimpse of Harvard University. The school is spread out all over the city, but it was intriguing just to poke around and eavesdrop on random conversations. At one point, two gentlemen sitting beside me at lunch were having an in depth conversation about hydrogen atoms. Clearly this Dorothy wasn’t in Kansas anymore.
Although the landscape of Martha’s Vineyard is primarily suited for summertime activities, I found the chilly, autumnal version of the island peaceful and charming. We spent most of our time nosing through Mom and Pop stores in downtown Edgartown and taking in the coastal views. If you’re at all interested in fishing or water sports, I’d highly recommend checking out boat rentals as that would be a great way to spend a weekend there.
Brown Butter Pear Tart
Let me start by saying that I adore this tart. Months ago, I ran across a photo of a beautiful layered pear pie. It had, what appeared to be, a phyllo crust filled with thin slices of pears overlapping on one another in a concentric fashion. The crust was browned and flaked and the filling was speckled with fresh pomegranate seeds. Although I wasn’t able to find a recipe for the creation, I decided I needed to make a dessert with a similar look. The brainstorming began.
Here’s what I ended up with: a brown butter pear tart. A simple, press-in sweet pastry dough is filled with a thin layer of brown butter custard and a mountain of fresh sliced red Anjou pears. Upon baking, the pears release their juice and soften, the flavors from the fruit quietly melting into the custard underneath it. The pastry crust, albeit simple, is the perfect vehicle for the subtle flavors; it offers texture and sweetness while still allowing the filling to sing.
A Few Notes on This Tart
This brown butter pear tart features Kerrygold unsalted butter in two fashions. First, cold chunks of butter are cut into the dry ingredients to create a tender and mildly buttery shell. The dough for the tart crust is so ridiculously delicious; I found myself eating almost as much as I pressed into the pan. Kerrygold butter is also found throughout the brown butter custard. If you need a few pointers on browning butter, please check out my how-to post here.
This brown butter pear tart is without a doubt one of the most unassuming and delightful holiday desserts I’ve made in a long time. Although we’re still a couple of days away from the holiday season, it’s never too early to get planning, and I really think you need to consider this tart in the lineup of Thanksgiving and Christmas treats. Give it a try and let me know what you think! Many thanks to Kerrygold for sponsoring this post, and thanks to you all for supporting brands that make Wood & Spoon possible. Happy baking!
This brown butter peat tart has a sweet pastry crust, a brown butter custard, and a layered pear filling.
Author:Kate Wood
Prep Time:30
Cook Time:30
Total Time:1 hour
Yield:9
Category:Dessert
Ingredients
For the pastry dough:
1–1/4 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup cold unsalted butter
1 large egg yolk, white reserved
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons of ice water, plus more as needed
For the filling:
½ cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2–3 large red pears, halved, cored, and sliced in 1/8” slices
Pomegranate seeds, about ½ cup
Toasted walnuts, if desired
Instructions
In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Pulse in the butter until it resembles pea-sized crumbs. Don’t over-process. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolkd and vanilla. Pulse the egg yolk mixture into the flour just until combined. Add the water and pulse to combine. Don’t process it to the point of it coming together into a dough. The mixture should still be shaggy but should clump together when you squeeze a bit of the mixture together in between your fingers. If it’s still dry add another teaspoon or so of ice water and then pulse to combine. Dump the mixture out onto a clean work surface and bring the dough together into a ball. Flatten it out into a disk, wrap it is plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes but preferably 2 hours.
When ready to prepare your pie, roll the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Roll out the dough to fit into a 9” tart pan with a removable bottom. The dough should be about 2” larger than the pan on all sides. Roll the dough onto your lightly floured rolling pin and gently unroll it into your tart pan. Gently fit the dough into the edges of your pan and use a paring knife or kitchen scissors to trim any dough that extends over 1” the lip of the pan. Press the dough gently into the sides of the pan and use any leftover dough to reinforce the sides where needed. Put the pan in the freezer to set up for 30 minutes while you preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
When ready to bake, prick the bottom of the tart dough with a fork a few times. Use a sheet of parchment to line the pastry dough inside the pan and f ill the tart pan with pie weights (you can also use dried beans or dried rice). Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes then remove the parchment and weights from the tart pan. Gently brush the crust with a thin layer of the egg white and bake for 5 more minutes. In the meantime, prep your filling.
Cube the butter and add to a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan to being browning it. Place the pan on medium heat and stir gently with a whisk regularly to allow the butter to melt evenly. Once melted, keep stirring regularly to allow the butter to cook, sizzle, and foam evenly. You’ll begin to notice golden flecks appearing at the bottom of the pan and the butter will become fragrant. When there are amber-colored flecks throughout the butter mixture your butter is browned! Don’t let it burn! Immediately remove it from the heat and pour into a heat-safe mixing bowl. Stir in the sugar. Stir in the egg and vanilla extract and then fold in the flour. Pour the mixture into the par-baked pastry shell and spread to even it out. Cover the filling in a layer of fanned pear slices. Keep the slices in tight on one another to prevent the filling from baking up over on top of them too much. Bake in the preheated oven for an additional 35-40 minutes or until the crust is golden and the filling it cooked underneath. The pears shouldn’t jiggle on top of the pie when the pie is done. Allow to cool serve with a sprinkle pomegranate seeds and toasted walnuts. Enjoy!
Another week, another dessert. That’s how we do things around here. If you live anywhere near the South, you know our peach season took a mini hit this year, but even so, the summer fruit favorite is beginning to pop up everywhere in all it’s juicy, fuzz-covered glory. To celebrate the unofficial fruit of the South (I just declared this on my own, BTW), we’re making this honey peach pie. Let’s chat the ins and outs.
Honey Peach Pie
For starters, we have an all-butter pie crust. While my usual pie dough has a smidge of shortening in it, I absolutely LOVE using an all-butter crust when I want extra-rich flavor. This crust does not disappoint. Filled with Kerrygold butter and a smidge of sugar and salt, this crust is a terrific vehicle for a pie fillings of fresh peaches, brown sugar, and… honey caramel? Yep, there’s a honey caramel in here. This is a recipe adapted from Jeni Britton Bauer’s honey butterscotch sauce that she uses to top her ice cream, and it is divine. The filling truly sings of honey here, so be sure to use a variety that you really enjoy the flavor of.
To finish things off, we have a brown butter crumble. You know I’ll top just about anything with crumble and will jump at the chance to brown butter, so this pie topping is actually an all-time fave of mine.
Making the Pie
To make this honey peach pie, we start by prepping all of the elements of the pie. I like to begin by making my pie dough so that it can chill while I prep the other ingredients. You can even make the dough up to a week in advance! Next, whip up the honey caramel sauce so that it can chill in the fridge as well, and then finish it all off by making the brown butter crumble. Once the prep work has been done, you take a few hours or even a day or two off before actually assembling the pie!
When you’re ready to bake your honey peach pie, start by filling a 9-10″ tart pan with a removable bottom with the pie crust. I like to roll my crust out several inches larger than the diameter of the tin on a floured surface and then roll the dough back onto my floured rolling pin. From there, simply unroll the dough into the pan and then trim the edges and crimp as desired. Toss the sliced peaches with the dry ingredients and immediately place in the pan with the drizzle of honey caramel. Top with the crumble and brush the crust with a beaten egg. This honey peach pie takes about 45 minutes to bake and another couple of hours to set, so be patient for best results.
How to Serve It
When you’re ready to serve this summer treat, make sure you have some ice cream or whipped cream on hand. I opted to top the whole things with extra slices of peaches and blueberries, but this was totally for aesthetic purposes. The tart is loaded with fruit and needs no further attention, just a few friends with empty forks so that you can dive right into this fruity stunner.
I’m sharing today’s recipe in collaboration with my favorite friends at Kerrygold. Both in the all-butter pie crust and brown butter crumble, quality butter is essential for this pie, so I trust Kerrygold to provide excellent product I can trust! Their butter has slightly lower water content than the average stick you’ll find at the grocery store which means more flake to every bite. Trust me on this one. As always, thank you for supporting brands that make Wood & Spoon possible and thank you for reading along! Happy Tuesday and Happy Baking!
If you like this honey peach pie you should check out:
This honey peach pie has an all-butter crust, a honey caramel and peach filling, and a brown butter crumble topping!
Author:Kate Wood
Prep Time:45
Cook Time:60
Total Time:180
Yield:1 Pie
Category:Dessert
Ingredients
For the crust:
1–1/4 cups (175 gm) all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (115 gm) unsalted butter, cold
1 cup ice water
1 tablespoon bourbon
For the honey caramel filling (Adapted from Jeni Britton Bauer):
1 cup (200 gm) sugar
2/3 cup honey
1–1/4 cup (300 gm) heavy whipping cream
4 tablespoons (55 gm) unsalted butter
Pinch of salt
For the brown butter crumble:
6 tablespoons (85 gm) unsalted butter
½ cup (100 gm) brown sugar
¾ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup (140 gm) all-purpose flour
For the filling:
1 egg
1–1/2 pounds of ripe peaches
1–1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Pinch of salt
Instructions
To prepare the crust:
Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Use a pastry cutter or the backs of two forks to cut in the butter until pea-sized clumps exist throughout. Add the bourbon to the water and drizzle in a 1/3 cup of the mixture (sans ice) and use a fork to bring the dough together. Continue adding small bits of water until the mixture comes together enough for the dough to pull away from the bowl. The dough should be smooth- not sticky or crumble. Try not to overwork it. Pat the dough into a small disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge at least two hours.
To prepare the honey caramel filling:
Combine the honey and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Stop stirring and continue cooking, stirring occasionally. As the mixture heats it will foam, make big clear bubbles, and then make tighter fine bubbles. Continue swirling the pan occasionally and watch as the caramel begins to slowly darken. Once the center has slightly darkened to a brownish shade, remove from heat immediately and carefully and slowly drizzle in the cream, stirring all the while. Add the butter and salt and stir until melted and combined. Place the mixture in a heat-proof bowl to chill in the fridge.
To prepare the brown butter crumble:
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat stirring regularly. Continue stirring as you brown the butter. It will sizzle, foam, and then you’ll see small golden specks forming around the bottom and sides of the pan. Continue stirring to prevent the butter from burning until the mixture is fairly golden and smells deliciously nutty. Remove from heat immediately to a heat-safe bowl. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon and salt and stir to combine. Add the flour and fold until the mixture forms large clumps. Place the mixture in the fridge to chill slightly while you assemble your pie.
To prepare the pie:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Roll the dough out on a floured surface using a floured rolling pin until it is 2” larger than your 9” tart pan with a removable bottom on all sides. Roll the dough back onto your rolling pin and unroll it into the tart pan. Carefully press the dough into the corners of the pan and trim off any excess around the edges leaving a 1” overhang on all sides. Fold the edges into the tart pan to create a thicker crust that extends about ¼” over the sides of the pan. Crack the egg into a bowl and, without breaking the yolk, use a pastry brush to brush a thin layer of egg white all over the dough on the bottom and sides of the pan. Place the crust in the freezer to set for 15 minutes.
In the meantime, peel and core your peaches and slice them into ¾” slices. Toss with the cornstarch, brown sugar, and salt. Pour the filling into the prepared tart pan. Pour 1 cup of the of the honey caramel over the peaches. You can slightly rewarm to liquid consistency as needed. Sprinkle the brown butter crumble on top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes and then decrease the heat to 350. Bake for an additional 40-45 minutes or until the pie is set, golden, and bubbling under the crust. Allow to cool for 2-3 hours prior to cutting. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.
This past week has been one of the weirdest, out-of-the-norm passing of days that I have experienced in a long time, and because you stumbled upon this page, we’re in it together now. I can’t wait to share about this super impressive and simple brown sugar buttermilk tart, but first, let me update you on all that transpired this week.
I’ve been spending the better part of the last few months nesting like crazy. In that time, I’ve accomplished a ton and was beginning to feel like maybe we were getting prepared to have this baby. Last Tuesday, I went in for a routine appointment at my doctor’s office to find that baby girl was attempting to jail break out of me and into the world about 5 weeks too early. NOT COOL, BABY. Although I’m no stranger to babies that come a little earlier than expected (I’m looking at you, George!), 5 weeks was a little too soon for comfort. In order to keep baby number three planted in my belly for a few more weeks, the doctor opted to put me on bedrest.
Bedrest?!?
So bedrest. Certainly not the worst thing that’s ever happened to me, but definitely one of the strangest. Picking up my children, bending over to pull a roast out of the oven, and even walking up the stairs to tuck little people into their beds is no longer okay. I have spent a week’s worth of days sitting at my desk catching up on paperwork, laying on the couch entirely bored by the drama on overshare on social media, and watching movies with my TV zombie children. It turns out that bedrest can be kinda hard on Moms but awesome for kids who are lobbying for one more episode of PJ Masks.
But there is an entirely wonderful side to all of this too. Bedrest is just about the only thing that could force me to slow down. That means more snuggling, more bedtime story reading, more occasional catnaps, more stillness. I’m not great at sitting still, and this bit of time has served as a little calm. Moreso than that, I’m reminded for the millioneth time of what wonderful community and friends we have here in Selma, AL. People come out of the woodwork to help when they find out you’re down for the count, and while I’m certainly not an invalid in need of 24-hr care, it’s heart-filling to know that people are willing and wanting to serve you. Needless to say, I’ve got lots of reasons for gratitude this week. Gratitude for time, gratitude for friends, and gratitude for this brown sugar buttermilk tart.
Brown Sugar Buttermilk Tart
Let me give you the 411 on this treat that I’m sharing with my friends at Kerrygold. This is a no-bake cream tart situation featuring a salty graham cracker crust, a stovetop custard filling, and a tangy 2-ingredient fruit topping that can accompany any array of seasonal fruit that you may find in your fridge this month. It’s a make-ahead, fit for a crowd type of dessert that can be adapted to suit your preferences, and the flavors, while fairly simple and straight-forward, are comforting and fresh all at the same time.
Making the Tart
To make this brown sugar buttermilk tart, we start with the crust. Graham crackers, brown sugar, salt, and loads of melted Kerrygold butter are pulsed together until the mixture resembles a wet sand consistency. Press the mixture into the sides and bottom of a fluted tart pan and allow it to chill while you make the filling. The filling, as the name brown sugar buttermilk tart suggests, is a buttermilk-based custard sweetened with brown sugar and cinnamon. It thickens quickly on the stove with the help of some egg and cools to a soft creamy consistency. We pour this whole mixture into the prepared crust to cool.
Serving the Tart
Once you’re ready to serve this brown sugar buttermilk tart, adorn the heck out of it with whatever fresh fruit you fancy. Here, I used plums, blue and blackberries, and even some toasted coconut I had on hand. The fruit serves to freshen up the tar. Use ripe, ready-to-eat favorites of whoever you’re serving. I recommend a quick fruity drizzle made by combining tart preserves with a bit of lime juice. The juice thins out the sweet preserves and balances it with a kick of acid. The whole thing works together super nicely and makes for an impressive treat that you can share.
I hope you’ll call on this brown sugar buttermilk tart in the coming summer months. It’s a great way to showcase summer fruit and something about it feels effortless yet elevated. For the crust and all of your other butter needs, I highly recommend Kerrygold. Their products serve stunning desserts like this well, and it’s an honor to partner with a brand I respect. In the meantime, thank you for your prayers and support in the coming weeks! We can’t wait for baby girl to make an arrival and will share when the time is right. Happy Thursday and Happy Baking!
If you like this brown sugar buttermilk tart you should check out:
This brown sugar buttermilk tart is a sweet and salty no bake pie with a cream filling, a tangy fruit drizzle, and a salty graham cracker crust. Serve with your favorite seasonal fruit!
Author:Kate Wood
Prep Time:20
Cook Time:10
Total Time:120
Yield:9
Category:Dessert
Ingredients
For the crust:
1/3 cup (70 gm) brown sugar, packed
2 cups (200 gm) graham cracker crumbs
½ teaspoon salt
7 tablespoons (100 gm) unsalted butter, melted
For the filling:
5 large (90 gm) egg yolks
½ cup (100 gm) brown sugar
2–1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1–3/4 cups (395 gm) heavy whipping cream
2/3 cup (145 gm) whole buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
For the topping:
2 cups of fruit of your choice (berries, sliced stone fruit, etc)
½ cup blackberry or raspberry jam
1 tablespoon lime juice or water
Instructions
To prepare the crust:
Whisk together the brown sugar, graham cracker crumbs, and salt in a medium sized bowl. Add the melted butter and stir until well combined. Press the crumbs into the bottom and sides of a 9-10” tart pan with a removable bottom. Place in the fridge to chill while you prepare the filling.
To prepare the filling:
Whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium sized mixing bowl. Set aside.
In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the heavy whipping cream, buttermilk, and vanilla bean paste. Place the pan over medium-low heat and bring to a simmer, whisking occasionally. Once gently bubbling, slowly drizzle a small amount of the hot cream mixture into the beaten egg yolk mixture, being sure to whisk all the while. Continue to add the cream and whisk until the contents of both bowls have been combined. Pour the entirety of the mixture back into the saucepan over medium-low heat and cook for about 4 minutes, constantly stirring, until thickened slightly (about the consistency of mayonnaise). Pull the pan off the heat and allow to cool for about 10 minutes, stirring once every minute or so. Pour the content of the pan into the prepared pie crust and smooth the filling out. Place a sheet of plastic wrap directly on top of the pie filling and place in the fridge to chill.
To prepare the topping:
Combine the jam and juice or water with a whisk. Add a little more liquid to make the topping more viscous if desired. Drizzle the “sauce” on top of pieces of sliced pie and serve with fresh fruit!
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