This recipe is adapted from Left Bank, a restaurant in New York City. They delivered the tart to our office, and we had to try the recipe!
It’s the Tom Wolfe of tarts, nattily dressed in a single color. Its maple cream is as sweet and serene as its dune palette. The tart has a press-in crust (ideal for the holidays when counter space is at a premium) and a filling that can be whisked together in 2 minutes.
Make it the day before. Chill it in the fridge. Embrace its serenity.
Ingredients
Tart Pastry
- 1 1/4 cupall-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoonsalt
- 8 tablespooncold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 3 to 4 tablespoonice water
Maple Cream Filling
- 1 cuppacked light brown sugar
- 1/4 cupmaple syrup (preferably grade B)
- 1 1/4 cupheavy cream
- 1/4 cupall-purpose flour
- Creme fraiche or Greek yogurt, for serving
Directions
Tart Pastry
- Step 1
In a medium bowl, blend the flour and salt. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture is the texture of coarse meal. Add the water, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough holds together when pressed between two fingers. Form the dough into a loose ball.
- Step 2
Cut the ball into pieces, and press the pieces into a 9-inch tart pan, making sure the dough on the bottom and sides is even. Prick with a fork and chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes. Heat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Step 3
Line the tart dough with parchment paper, and fill with pie weights (or dried beans or rice). Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the pie weights and parchment, and place back in the oven to cook until the bottom is dry, about 5 minutes more. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
Maple Cream Filling
- Step 1
Lower the oven to 350 degrees.
- Step 2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, maple syrup, cream, and flour until smooth. Pour this mixutre into the cooled tart crust. Bake until the maple cream just sets — it should still jiggle a little — 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool. Serve sliced with dollops of crème fraiche or Greek yogurt.
