Maple Pecan Tart
Active Time
30 MIN
Total Time
2 HR 40 MIN
Yield
Serves : Makes one 11 1/2-inch tart
By Marc Aumont
October 2006

At Terrace 5, pastry chef Marc Aumont prepares sophisticated desserts like this nutty and caramelly tart in a crispy, buttery shell.    More Pie and Tart Recipes  

Ingredients

Pastry

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 stick plus 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1/4 cup ice water
  • 1 egg white, beaten

Filling

  • 5 eggs
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups pecan halves (1/2 pound)

How to Make It

Step 1    

In a food processor, pulse the flour with the salt. Add the butter and pulse just until pea-sized clumps form. Drizzle in the ice water and pulse just until the pastry is evenly moistened. Turn the pastry out onto a work surface and pat it into a disk. Wrap the pastry in plastic and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes.

Step 2    

Preheat the oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry a scant 1/4 inch thick. Fit the pastry into an 11 1/2-inch tart pan with a removable bottom and trim the overhang. Using the pastry scraps, patch any cracks in the shell. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Step 3    

Using a fork, prick the bottom of the tart shell several times. Line the shell with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake in the lower third of the oven for 30 minutes, or until the pastry is set. Carefully remove the parchment paper and weights and bake the shell for about 22 minutes longer, until golden and firm. Lightly brush the hot pastry shell with the egg white until thoroughly coated, being careful to fill any holes or cracks.

Step 4    

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the eggs with the sugar at medium speed until light and frothy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the maple syrup and vanilla. Add the flour and salt and beat for 1 minute longer. Beat in the butter.

Step
Step 5    

Reduce the oven temperature to 325°. Set the tart pan on the oven rack and carefully pour the filling into the shell. Sprinkle evenly with the pecans. Bake the tart for about 28 minutes, until the filling is just set in the center. Transfer the tart to a rack and let cool completely.

Step 6    

Remove the ring from the tart pan. Slide the tart onto a cake plate and serve.

Make Ahead

The maple-pecan tart can be made up to 1 day ahead and kept at room temperature.

Serve With

Vanilla ice cream.

Suggested Pairing

To pair with the tart, Terrace 5's beverage director Chris Murray opts for a nutty and caramelly sherry made from Tintilla de Rota, a red grape variety rarely grown in Andalucía. Other Spanish sherries will have the same caramelly depth and are easier to find.

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