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Pumpkin-Brulee Tarts

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: Baking, Boiling Cuisine: American Courses: Desserts

Difficulty: Advanced

Servings: 4 Calories: 462.5

Dietary:

V Vegetarian

Description

These elegant tarts feature a buttery, flaky crust filled with a rich, spiced pumpkin custard. The filling is made with pumpkin puree, heavy cream, eggs, maple syrup, and fresh ginger. A simple brulee glaze of boiled sugar is drizzled over the cooled tarts just before serving, adding a crunchy, caramelized finish to this classic autumn dessert.

Directions

To prepare pastry for tarts, in medium-size bowl, combine flour, sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
With pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter and vegetable shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Sprinkle water over flour mixture, one tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly with fork just until mixture forms a ball.
Wrap and refrigerate pastry dough at least 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare pumpkin filling: In food processor, with chopping blade, or in bowl with electric mixer, combine pumpkin puree, eggs, heavy cream, maple syrup, gingerroot, cinnamon, nutmeg, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Process or beat until mixture is well combined.
Refrigerate while preparing tart shells.
Heat oven to 425°F.
Divide chilled pastry dough into 4 pieces.
On lightly floured surface, roll out one piece of pastry to a 6-inch round.
Lift and ease pastry into a 4-inch tart pan, pressing gently to fit; discard any excess pastry.
Repeat with remaining pieces of pastry.
Divide pumpkin filling among tarts and bake 10 minutes.
Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and bake 20 to 25 minutes or until centers appear firm and puffed.
Cool tarts in pans on wire rack 15 minutes (pumpkin filling will deflate).
Cover and refrigerate tarts until ready to serve.
Just before serving, prepare Brulee Glaze: In small heavy saucepan, combine 1/2 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons water.
Cook over low heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.
Wash down any sugar particles from side of pan with a wet brush.
When sugar has dissolved, increase heat and boil, without stirring, until mixture turns dark golden-10 minutes.
Remove from heat and let stand one minute to harden slightly.
Use immediately.
Remove tarts from pans and place on serving plate.
Drizzle tops with Brulee Glaze and serve.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 462.5kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 23.8g37%
Saturated Fat 10.5g53%
Cholesterol 117.4mg40%
Sodium 2542.7mg106%
Total Carbohydrate 52.3g18%
Dietary Fiber 1.9g8%
Sugars 4.6g
Protein 10.0g20%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Pumpkin-Brulee Tarts