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.
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.
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 and baked briefly while we mix up the filling. Chocolate and butter are melted together first and then eggs and sugar are whipped 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 that comes together in a brownie-like consistency. 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 special enough for your favorite events but easy enough for a weekday treat. You can feel free to top it with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, but 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, 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 1x
Category:Dessert
Scale
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.
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.
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 and flaked 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, and 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 bulked up the offerings and and added 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 with things to eat with them. 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:121x
Category:Appetizer
Scale
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 for the who, what, and where details of 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, and we also loved checking out the food truck scene at Rose Kennedy Greenway.
Although we arrived in Martha’s Vineyard in what we were told was the last big week before the island shut down for the season, 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, and 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 out walking tours and super old buildings. 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. The two gentlemen sitting beside me at lunch were having an in depth conversation about hydrogen atoms, and this Dorothy immediately knew she 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, as it offers texture and sweetness while still allowing the filling to sing.
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 that 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:91x
Category:Dessert
Scale
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!
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 through 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 for the who, what, and where details of 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 tons of delicious lunch and dinner options in Boston, as well as desserts galore. There was no shortage of amazing cocktails and pubs, and we also loved checking out the food truck scene at Rose Kennedy Greenway.
Although we arrived in Martha’s Vineyard in what we were told was the last big week before the island shut down for the season, 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, and 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.
Boston Recommendations:
Fox and the Knife An enoteca and restaurant by James Beard Award-winning chef Karen Akunowicz. We enjoyed delicious handmade pastas and Italian liquors there. The Longfellow Bar A neighborhood bar and restaurant in Cambridge offering shared plates with exciting flavors. Shojo Modern Asian cuisine in the heart of Boston’s Chinatown. Pammy’s New American bites in a modernized trattoria setting. Tatte Bakery With a number of locations across Boston, Tatte offers a variety of delicious baked goods, coffees, and lunch options in a seriously aesthetic atmosphere. Sofra Bakery Middle Eastern inspired baked goods. Check out their online schedule for baking classes! Flour Baker and Cafe This chain of bakeries is run by the extraordinary Joanne Change- a must visit! The Food Trucks at Rose Kennedy Greenway
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 out walking tours and super old buildings. 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. The two gentlemen sitting beside me at lunch were having an in depth conversation about hydrogen atoms, and this Dorothy immediately knew she 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, as it offers texture and sweetness while still allowing the filling to sing.
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 that 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:91x
Category:Dessert
Scale
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.
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) and baked 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 luxe dessert calls for butter, I always depend on Kerrygold to bring it in terms of flavor and quality. Here, butter holds together our deliciously salted crust and plays a role in smoothing out the ganache so that is has a melt-in-your-mouth kind of feel. 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” or “salmon-flavored dog kibble.” 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 that is going to transition us to the fall flavors you’ve been waiting for. 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:91x
Category:Dessert
Scale
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 1x
Category:Dessert
Scale
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.
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 and reflection before the proverbial storm of a third child. 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.
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.
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.
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 tart, so use ripe, ready-to-eat favorites of whoever you’re serving. To add even a bit more fruity tang, 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 so highly. 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 be sure to share all about it 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:91x
Category:Dessert
Scale
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!
If you’ve followed this blog for any amount of time you know that I’m more than a little excited about today’s post. I’ve long been a teensy bit of a Francophile, and today I’m sharing a delightfully fancy, all-too-beautiful French apple frangipane tart. It’s the kind of treat that feel effortlessly elegant, simple and complex all in one bite, and after we dive into it I think you’ll feel the same way.
Frangipane is decidedly French and particularly traditional around the Christmas holiday. Made with butter, sugar, eggs, and ground almonds, frangipane is a sweetened filling often used in a variety of French tarts, cakes, and pastries. I often see the filling paired with pears, but with the abundance of beautiful pink apples I’d been seeing at the store, I decided an apple frangipane tart was entirely necessary.
This whole idea of an apple frangipane tart came from working with Millesima USA, an online European fine wine retailer. They specialize in rare bottles and have an extensive selection of premium wines. I made my first order with them just before Thanksgiving and decided to create a dessert that would pair well with one of their many beautiful French wines. With the help of a friend, I ended up selecting two white wines from Chateau Fuisse, and let me tell you- they were DELICIOUS. The ordering process was incredibly simple and the bottles shipped to my local ABC store for free. In my small town of Selma, AL, I had gained access to Europe’s most extensive online library of wines. Talk about feeling fancy.
So here it is: my fancy pants French dessert that just begs for a seriously good glass of wine. To make this apple frangipane tart for yourself, we’ll start with the crust. Traditionally, frangipane tarts use a press-in pastry crust, but I decided to opt for my favorite pie crust. I love the extra butter and flake it lends this dessert. To make it, combine flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl before cutting in butter and shortening. Add ice water to the mixture until a shaggy dough comes together that you can chill until you’re ready to bake. Roll out of the dough on a floured surface and lay into a fluted tart pan. I used one with a removable bottom, but that’s totally optional here. Par-bake the crust briefly to allow the bottom to cook, and in the meantime you can whip up your filling!
Softened butter and sugar are combined in a large bowl. Eggs, vanilla, and almond extract come next followed by the salt and almond flour. While the pie crust continues to bake, you can set your filling aside and slice the apples. I used 3 medium-sized pink lady apples, primarily because they bake well and have a beautiful pink skin. You can peel the skin off if you prefer, but I just couldn’t miss out on that color! Just thinly slice the apples and keep the little sections of slices together so that they’ll arrange pretty in the tart. When the crust is done baking, remove it from the oven and spread the frangipane inside. Gently lay fanned out sections of apples in the frangipane, pushing down just a tiny bit. Pop the apple frangipane tart back in the oven to bake for another 45 minutes. The filling will puff and turn golden by the time its done.
Allow the apple frangipane tart to cool slightly before cutting and serving. You can certainly make this a day in advance and barely re-warm slices to serve. The crust is ridiculously flaky and the filling is perfectly sweet. The apples definitely taste best on the day of baking, but you can revive any dried out fruit by heating a bit of apricot or orange marmalade and brushing it on the fruit. It’s like an instant pick-me-up for a day-old dessert, and it adds a little sticky shine to the fruit too. This dessert is an elegant treat to serve at your upcoming holiday suppers, and you better believe it tastes splendid with a quality bottle of wine as well. I’ll link to the ones I picked out from Millesima so that you can try them for yourself. Whether for holiday parties or New Year bashes, Millesima is my new go-to source for special bottles worthy of celebrations. Check out there retail space online and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you’re new to the online ordering! My experience was seamless, and I’m happy to brag on them a ton.
Give this apple frangipane tart and try and let me know what you think! Tune in later this week for a pepperminty treat and a last-minute holiday gift guide for the special gals in your life. Happy Baking!
If you like this apple frangipane tart you should try:
This apple frangipane tart is a classic French almond tart with a flaky pie crust and beautiul apples on top! Serve as a fancy sliced treat this holiday!
Author:Kate Wood
Prep Time:30
Cook Time:30
Total Time:1 hour
Yield:101x
Category:dessert
Scale
Ingredients
For the crust:
1–3/4 cups (240 gm) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1/3 cup (70 gm) chilled vegetable shortening, cut into pieces
6 tablespoons (85 gm) unsalted butter, ice cold
6+ tablespoons ice water
For the filling:
6 tablespoons (85 gm) unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup (135 gm) sugar
2 large eggs, plus one for the egg wash
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract
1–1/2 cups (145 gm) almond flour
¼ teaspoon salt
Approximately 3 medium-sized baking apples (I used pink lady)
3 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted, optional
Powdered sugar, optional
Instructions
To prepare the crust:
Combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Use a pastry cutter or the backs of two forks to cut the shortening and butter into the dry ingredients until pea-sized clumps exist throughout. Add about ¼ cup of ice water and use a fork to bring the dough together. Add additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to get the dough to come together. The dough should be tacky but not sticky wet, and should pack together without dry pieces flaking off. Press into a round disk being careful not to overwork the dough and wrap in plastic wrap. Allow the pie dough to chill at least two hours or up to a week prior to baking.
To prepare the tart:
Preheat the oven to 375. Remove the chilled dough from the fridge and allow to sit out for 5 minutes. Using a floured rolling pin on a floured surface, roll the dough out into a flat, 1/8” round that is about an inch larger than your tart pan on all sides. (I use a 9” metal tart pan with a removable bottom.) Roll the dough back up on the pin loosely and move it into the tart pan, gently pressing the dough into the edges of the pan. Leave and inch excess on all sides and trim off any excess. Fold the lip of the dough under and keep pressing the dough into the sides of the pan. The dough may shrink in the oven, so build the edge up 1/8-1/4” above the lip of the pan. Line the pan with a sheet of parchment and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Par-bake the crust in the oven for 15 minutes. In the meantime, prepare the filling.
Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl on medium speed until combine, about a minute. Add 2 eggs and the extracts and stir to combine. Add the almond flour and salt and stir to combine. Prep the apples by washing and quartering them. Make thin slices throughout each quarter and keep the sections together to arrange in the tart. Whisk the extra egg in a small bowl with a little bit of water.
When the pie crust is done par-baking, remove it from the oven and use a pastry brush to whisk a layer of egg all over the crust. Spread the filling into the crust and then arrange the apples on top. I like to take small sections of apples, fan them while in my hand and then place them where I want on the tart. The filling will puff while baking so there is no need to press them in deep. Fill the top of the tart with apples and then place the tart back in the oven. Decrease the heat to 350 degrees and bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until the crust and filling have bronzed. Remove the tart from the oven and sprinkle the almonds on top. Allow to cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar, if desired. Tart is best served the day it is made, but if you’re heating it up a day later, consider warming a small bit of orange or apricot jam in a bowl to brush on top of the apples. The apples will dry out oven time and can be revived with a little brush of melted jam.
Let’s cut to the chase: it’s high time that we get started on this fall thing. In the spirit of turtlenecks and jewel tones and crunchy leaves, today I’ll be chatting about this super simple pumpkin pecan tart that just screams, “AUTUMN!” As a bonus, we’re also going to share some recipes from a number of other bloggers who are sporting pumpkin goods on their sites today. Talk about a happy Monday, huh!?
So first up is the pumpkin pecan tart. I’m all for recipes that can be thrown together in a pinch. There’s something very satisfying about taking on a baking challenge, but sometimes we need a few recipes in our back pocket that taste terrific without hours of stressful work. I have a feeling that this pumpkin pecan tart will be your go-to for the fall.
Let’s get started with the crust. Here, we use a simple graham cracker crust that is elevated with the addition of finely chopped pecans and the just-right amount of butter. The pecans add ridiculous flavor to the otherwise simple crust and they’re a pretty perfect combo with the pumpkin.
The filling is a cream cheese and canned pumpkin base with not a whole lot extra added. Of course there’s cinnamon, some pumpkin pie spice, and sugar, but other than that the ingredients here are minimal. Simply cream together the pumpkin and cream cheese, add the remaining ingredients, and smooth the whole lot of it into the pie crust. That’s it!
For best results with this pumpkin pecan tart, I recommend filling the crust and finishing off the toppings just before serving. I opted to top the whole thing with a maple whipped cream, but you could certainly bypass that step if you’d prefer. I spooned the whipped cream into a piping bag (or a large plastic bag with the end snipped off!) and squeezed little dollops of fluff all over the pie, but if you’d prefer a simple smear that would work too. Use any leftover pecans or graham cracker crumbs to garnish the top for a pretty finish, and it will be so cute that I promise your friends won’t guess how easy this little guy was to make.
This pumpkin pecan tart would make an excellent addition at your next supper club, Thanksgiving dinner, or Sunday afternoon lunch. I love how quickly the treat comes together and the flavors are so seriously autumnal that it just feels right. In the event that pumpkin tarts aren’t your thing (okay, but seriously, who even are you?) my friend Sara has rounded up a whole bunch of other bloggers who are sharing pumpkin recipes today as well. There’s everything from pumpkin babka to pumpkin couscous to pumpkin granola- almost 70 recipes in all! Check out the whole list here and get in the swing of fall this week. I think it’s about time.
Have an enormously joyful and fulfilling week and stop by here again on Friday. I may or may not be sharing another killer recipe on Friday (hint: I am). Happy Monday and happy baking!
If you like this pumpkin pecan tart you should check out:
This pumpkin pecan tart has a no-bake filling and a maple whipped cream topping. Served chilled, this dessert is a simple treat for fall gatherings!
Author:Kate Wood
Prep Time:25
Cook Time:10
Total Time:35 minutes
Yield:91x
Category:dessert
Scale
Ingredients
For the crust:
1 cup (99 gm) graham cracker crumbs
¾ cup (100 gm) finely chopped pecans
¼ cup (50 gm) sugar
½ teaspoon salt
7 tablespoons (100 gm) unsalted butter, melted
For the filling:
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
¼ cup (50 gm) sugar
¼ cup (50 gm) brown sugar
10 ounces pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
For the maple whipped cream:
1 cups (240 gm) heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
To make the crust:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, pecans, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter and stir to combine. Press the wet crumbs into the bottom and sides of a 9” tart pan with a removable bottom. I like to press a small amount of crumbs up the length of the sides first and then press the remaining into the bottom. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are turning gold and the bottom is set. Allow to cool completely.
To make the filling:
Beat the cream cheese, sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minutes. Add the pumpkin puree, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice and beat on low just until combines. Spread the mixture into the cooled crust and allow the pie to set in a cold fridge, about 2 hours.
To make the whipped cream:
Whip the heavy whipping cream on medium-low speed until frothy and barely beginning to thicken. Add the maple syrup and vanilla extract and bean until stiff peaks. Spread or pipe the cream onto the prepared pie and serve immediately!
Fri-yay, Fri-yay, Fri-yay! With Cinco de Mayo, the Kentucky Derby, and a number of other awesome events, this weekend has loads to be excited about. I’ve got your weekend round-up and a serious berry rhubarb tart to share with you kids this morning! Let’s get started!
Did you see the rosé margarita I shared earlier this week? Food & Wine shared their 19 essential margarita recipes, and you better believe they look amazing. For more boozy ideas, check out my other cocktail recipes here!
If you’re buying treats for the moms, you might as well get something for kiddos too! Madewell just released a clothing collab with J.Crew and it is beyond adorable. The little girl items have strawberries all over them, and you better believe Aimee girl is getting some ASAP.
I’m still flying high from my killer trip to Chicago last weekend. Bon Appetit shared this very smart travel guide in their most recent issue, and I agree with every bit of it. Give it a looksie here!
Berry Rhubarb Tart
In Alabama, rhubarb has been a hot commodity. While those beautiful stalks are coming into season I wanted you all to have a sure-thing treat to prepare for your people in the coming days. This berry rhubarb tart, equal parts elegant and simple, is nothing short of delightful, the perfect dessert to round out your weekends.
To make it, we start with a simple crust. Almond flour and all-purpose flour and stirred with a bit of sugar before a generous amount of butter is cut in. You can use the back of two forks or a pastry cutter to make sure that the butter is incorporated evenly into pea-sized chunks. Press 2/3 of the mixture into a large rectangular tart pan and set aside while you prepare the filling.
Strawberries and rhubarb are tossed with sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest. Cornstarch is added to thicken the mixture before is added to the prepared tart pan. Sprinkle the remaining crust crumbles on top of the fresh fruit and garnish with sliced almonds. Bake in the preheated oven until it is golden brown and the fruit beneath is barely bubbling.
This berry rhubarb tart keeps for several days but is very best the day it is made. I’ve been known to nibble on pieces at breakfast and dessert, so long as a cup of coffee is available to enjoy it with. While the tart may appear to be difficult to prepare, I can promise it is shockingly simple. Truly,this berry rhubarb tart makes the wait for rhubarb worth it.
Have a great weekend and enjoy some dessert this week! This berry rhubarb tart is not one to miss!
If you like this berry rhubarb tart you should check out:
This berry rhubarb tart is a simple dessert, both sweet and tart, filled with fresh strawberries and rhubarb. The crust is an almond and butter crumble and the whole thing is garnished with sliced almonds.
8 ounces hulled and quartered strawberries (about 1-1/2 cups)
8 ounces rhubarb, trimmed and cut into 1” pieces
¼ cup (50 gm) sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons sliced almonds
Whipped cream, for serving if desired
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the flour, almond flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Use a pastry cutter or the back of two forks to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until there are small pea-sized clumps throughout and the mixture is sandy in appearance. Add the milk or water and stir together just until a dough comes together. Pat about 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom and sides of a 4-1/4” x 13-3/4” tart pan with a removable bottom (you can also use a large 9” round tart pan). Place the pan and the remaining crumbs in the fridge while you prepare the filling.
For the filling, combine the quartered strawberries and chopped rhubarb in a bowl with the sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, and lemon zest. Stir together until combined and spread into the bottom of the tart pan. Sprinkle the remaining crumbs over the fruit filling and then top with the almonds. Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes or until the crust and crumbles are golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbling. Allow to cool slightly and serve with whipped cream.
