Star-Studded Berry Tarts

By á-42947

Ingredients

• For the crusts:
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 3/4 cup pecans
• 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 large egg, beaten
• For the pastry cream:
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons buttermilk
• 3 large egg yolks
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 pint raspberries
• 1 pint blueberries
• Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Details

Preparation time 45mins
Cooking time 195mins
Adapted from foodnetwork.com

Preparation

Step 1

Make the crusts: Pulse the flour, pecans, granulated sugar and salt in a food processor until the nuts are finely ground. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse meal. Drizzle in 6 tablespoons ice water and pulse until the dough comes together. Turn out onto a piece of plastic wrap and form into a disk; wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

Lightly flour a large sheet of parchment paper. Roll out the dough on the parchment into a 9-by-13-inch rectangle. Trim into an 8-by-12-inch rectangle (reserve the scraps). Cut into eight 3-by-4-inch rectangles. Separate the pieces slightly on the parchment, then use your fingers to crimp the edges. Slide the parchment onto a baking sheet. Roll out the scraps until 1/4 inch thick. Cut out 8 stars using a small floured star-shaped cookie cutter; arrange on the baking sheet around the crusts. Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Poke holes in the crusts with a fork. Brush the stars and the edges of the crusts with the beaten egg. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes; remove to a rack to cool completely.

Make the pastry cream: Combine the milk, 1/3 cup granulated sugar and the vanilla in a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk 1/2 cup buttermilk, the egg yolks, cornstarch and the remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a bowl. Slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook, whisking, until thick and bubbling, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons buttermilk. Lay plastic wrap on the surface and refrigerate 45 minutes.

Carefully transfer the crusts to a platter. Spread the pastry cream on the crusts, then top with the berries. Top each tart with a star. Dust with confectioners' sugar.