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Category Archives: Tarts

Chocolate Pecan Tart

Posted on June 2, 2012 by easybaked

This pecan tart with a hint of cocoa was inspired by my recent vacation to South Carolina.

I just got back from a trip to my cousin’s wedding in Raleigh and a family vacation in Myrtle Beach.  Besides the pralines (MUST learn to make these), I was tempted by all the varieties of pecan pies in each restaurant we visited (bourbon, chocolate chip, caramel, cheesecake….)

I’m visiting dear friends tomorrow afternoon and since I’ve been obsessing over pecan pies I thought I’d better give in and make one tonight to share with them.  I really think you’ll love this recipe.  The tart pan makes it beautiful and the cocoa makes it so rich and flavorful.  Plus it is really easy.  Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:

  • Refrigerated pie crust (or your own favorite recipe!)
  • 4 T. butter
  • 2 T. cocoa powder
  • 1 c. corn syrup
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 c. dark brown sugar
  • 2 T. vanilla
  • 2 c. pecans (one cup chopped, one cup halves)

DIRECTIONS:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Lightly grease a 9 inch tart pan with removable bottom.  Line the pan with your crust, pressing it into the bottom and sides of pan and pricking the bottom a few times with a fork.
  • Melt butter on the stove in a saucepan.
  • Turn heat off and add the cocoa and corn syrup.
  • Lightly beat the eggs with the sugar and vanilla.
  • Stir egg mixture and one cup of chopped nuts into syrup.
  • Pour into crust and arrange the remaining pecans over the top.
  • Bake on a cookie sheet for 35-40 minutes (until the filling is just set).
  • Serve warm (with ice cream, I think!) or at room temperature.


My thoughts:  This is a quick dessert and it is SO yummy!  I’m laughing a little about how I have to cut a piece out of everything I make (for photography purposes, of course…) and how nothing I bring to share at a dinner ever looks pretty anymore.  My friends look at my chopped up dessert, roll their eyes and say– oh yeah….BLOG photos…  I hope you enjoy making this recipe.  I’ll leave you tonight with a couple of beach photos.  Enjoy!

My favorite pier at sunset….happy moment….

Appreciating the beach. Enjoy your week, friends!

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Sweet Lime Tartlets

Posted on April 21, 2012 by easybaked


These tiny squares of graham crust filled with tart lime pie and whipped cream are a refreshing and fun party treat!

Yes, I finally got the Chicago Metallic Lift & Serve Squares Pan and I love it!  This recipe can be made as a plain lime pie in a pre-made graham crust (and it is really, really good)- but its just so CUTE made in these little squares– again, kudos to the creator of this pan- I love how the bottoms pop out and I’ve got so many fun ideas for this pan!

**Note: this recipe makes 24 squares.  Since the pan only makes 12 at a time you will need to use it twice.  I wanted to halve the recipe for you, but 1/2 a can of condensed milk AND 1/2 an egg???  Just easier to use the pan twice and have 24 pieces of yumminess!

INGREDIENTS: (double for a pie in a pre-made graham crust and eliminate crust ingredients)

  • 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 c. lime juice
  • 1 egg
  • 9 full sheets of graham crackers (one sleeve or about 1 and 1/2 cups)
  • 1/4 c. sugar
  • 1/4 c. melted butter

DIRECTIONS:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  • Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs and mix well with sugar and melted butter.
  • Place metal bottoms into each square opening in the pan and lightly spray with non-stick spray.
  • Scoop about 1 to 2 T of crumbs in each square well of the pan.  (You will have half left for your next batch).  Press into bottom and sides of each square using your fingers or a Mini tart shaper.
  • Mix together condensed milk, egg  and lime juice.  Spoon about 1 T of mixture into each crust (you should have half left).

  • Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes.  
  • Remove from oven, allow to cool, carefully press up on bottom- popping square dessert out of pan.  Remove metal bottom from crust. 
  • Repeat to make 24 total squares.
  • Chill several hours.  Top with whipped cream, graham crumbs, raspberries or other fruit— be creative!
  • Enjoy!!!

My thoughts:  This lime filling is simply delicious- the perfect blend of tart and sweet.  If you don’t mind the time involved, these squares are really cute– but if you just want a quick and easy dessert, buy a graham crust, double the filling recipe (2 cans of condensed milk, 2 eggs and 1 cup of lime juice).  Bake for 20 minutes instead of 15 and there you have it- yummy lime pie.  However you choose to make it, Enjoy!

 

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Mocha Cheesecake Tart (gluten free!)

Posted on November 12, 2011 by easybaked

A little slice of happiness!!!

This recipe was created by myself and my gluten-free friend Brie.  It was an experiment and we LOVED it (mostly)…Our only mistake was adding too much coffee to our topping– and I am fixing the recipe to correct that!  If you LOVE coffee, add more (I LOVE coffee, so I thought the tart was perfect– but it is 11pm and I am still going strong…so maybe less is better!)

Brie is a photographer…so this post will be filled with her fun photos of the process!

My fun friend Brie!

INGREDIENTS:

Crust:

  • 2 1/2 cups of crushed graham cracker crumbs (gluten free!!!!)
  • 1/3 c. margarine
  • 2 T. sugar

Tart filling:

  • 1 box of PHILADELPHIA cream cheese- softened
  • 1/2c. sugar
  • 1/4 c. cocoa powder (Nestle)
  • 1 t. vanilla
  • 1 tub (8 oz) Cool Whip- thawed
  • 1/2c. mini chocolate chips (Nestle are gluten free)

Topping:

  • 1c. heavy whipping cream
  • 1T. instant coffee granules
  • 1/4 c. powdered sugar (check ingredients- I used Wal-mart brand and no gluten!)

DIRECTIONS:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Mix crushed grahams with sugar and melted butter.
  • Press into an 8 inch tart pan.
  • Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes- until edges are firm and crispy.
  • Remove from oven and cool completely.  Remove out tart ring.
  • Mix coffee granules in whipping cream and allow to sit for about 10 minutes. (If you don’t like coffee, just skip this step and make topping by whipping cream and powdered sugar without the coffee granules!)

Whipping cream plus coffee!

  • In a large bowl, cream together cream cheese, sugar, cocoa and vanilla until smooth.

Adding vanilla to the rich chocolatey goodness!

  • Fold in Cool Whip and blend until smooth.
  • Mix in mini-chocolate chips (saving a few for the top).
  • Spread in cooled tart crust.

Spread the filling into the crust…

yum!

  • In medium bowl, mix whipping cream/coffee blend with powdered sugar and whip on high until stiff peaks form.
  • Spread over top of tart and sprinkle with a few mini- chocolate chips.
  • Serve immediately if you want– or keep refrigerated until use.
  • Take pictures!!!! :)

Give me all your chocolate chips and nobody gets hurt…..!

My thoughts– YUM!!!!  Rich and creamy and I LOVED the gluten free crust (I would use it again for the flavor and consistency- and I’m not on a gluten free diet).  I really would use just whipped cream next time and skip the coffee altogether though- I think the two layers clashed in color- lol!  Really though– suprise your friends who have to be gluten free with this pie– they will love you for it!!!

10 Comments

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Raspberry Truffle Tart

Posted on July 9, 2011 by easybaked

Smooth dark chocolate and tangy raspberry filling topped with a shiny glaze make this tart one of the richest and creamiest desserts you’ve ever had!

INGREDIENTS:

  • One refrigerated pie crust
  • 1c. Ghirardelli Bittersweet chocolate chips
  • 2c. Ghirardelli Semi-sweet chocolate chips (divided)
  • 5 egg yolks
  • 5 T. heavy whipping cream
  • 3 cups plus 5 T. powdered sugar
  • 2 T. vanilla
  • 12 T. butter (divided and melted)
  • 2t. raspberry flavoring
  • red food coloring

DIRECTIONS:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Spray an 8 or 9 inch tart pan with cooking spray and line with pie crust.  Poke holes into bottom with fork and set on a cookie sheet.
  • Melt together 1 cup of bittersweet chips and one cup of semi-sweet.  Allow this to cool to room temperature.
  • In a separate bowl combine eggs, cream, vanilla and 5 T. powdered sugar.
  • Add cream mixture to chocolate and blend well.  Pour into crust and bake for 20 – 25 minutes until center is set.
  • Cool tart completely and then remove outer ring.
  • For filling: Combine remaining 3 c. of powdered sugar with 6 T. melted butter and blend well. Add raspberry flavor and food color. Blend well (add extra powdered sugar if needed for thick frosting-like consistency) and spread over the top of cool tart.
  • For Glaze: Melt 6 T. butter (do not use margarine here!) with remaining cup of semi-sweet chips and stir until smooth.  Pour over top of tart and smooth to edges.
  • Garnish with fresh raspberries if desired.

My thoughts…soooo rich (take a small slice!) and so flavorful!  This tart recipe (minus the toppings) is one of my last-minute go-to recipes.  Its SO quick and easy and you can serve it right out of the oven warm -with cool-whip or ice cream.  The toppings are a bonus if you have a little more time- mix those flavors up!  Great with mint and peanut butter and maple and coconut– such a fun and versatile recipe!  ENJOY!!!

A special thanks to my friend Brie from Color Canvas Media who is teaching me about my camera and who helped me take these photos far better than I could have alone!  I’m addicted to Foodgawker and thus far I’ve had 36 photos rejected and 2 accepted (lol!!) I’ve never had any interest in photography and now I think I’m addicted- fun new hobby!   So here’s to better blog pictures! Thanks Brie!!!!!

19 Comments

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