Nutty & Delicious Homemade Walnut Tart Recipe
Crafting a Savory Walnut Tart with Perfect Texture
Indulge in this delightful homemade walnut tart, a universally loved treat boasting a rich, buttery crust and a generous filling of crunchy walnuts. Elevate your dessert game with this recipe that rivals any bakery’s finest!
Tart Dough
- 150g Cake flour
- 100g Cold unsalted butter (cubed)
- 6g Granulated sugar
- 2g Salt
- 50g Ice water
Walnut Filling
- 130g Walnuts
- 20g Melted unsalted butter
- 30g Granulated sugar
- 30g Brown sugar
- 2 Large eggs (room temperature)
- 2g Vanilla extract
- 2g Ground cinnamon
- 130g Walnuts
- 20g Melted unsalted butter
- 30g Granulated sugar
- 30g Brown sugar
- 2 Large eggs (room temperature)
- 2g Vanilla extract
- 2g Ground cinnamon
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the tart dough. In a bowl, combine the cake flour, cold cubed butter, sugar, and salt. Use a food processor or a pastry blender to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. Gradually add the ice water, mixing just until the dough comes together into a cohesive ball. Be careful not to overmix. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This resting period is crucial for developing a tender and flaky crust.
Step 2
Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to fit your tart pan. Gently press the dough into the pan, ensuring it covers the bottom and sides evenly. Use a fork to prick the bottom of the crust all over; this prevents it from puffing up during baking. Return the prepared tart shell to the refrigerator for another 15 minutes to chill again.
Step 3
To enhance the flavor and texture of the walnuts, it’s best to pre-toast them. Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F). Spread the walnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast for 10 minutes. This brings out their natural oils and makes them wonderfully aromatic and crisp.
Step 4
After toasting and letting them cool slightly, roughly chop the walnuts. Aim for a chunky texture rather than a fine powder; this will provide a satisfying bite in the tart.
Step 5
Now, let’s make the luscious walnut filling. In a mixing bowl, combine the melted butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar. Stir until the sugars are well dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
Step 6
Add the room temperature eggs to the bowl and whisk gently until just combined. Using room temperature eggs is important as cold eggs can cause the filling to curdle or not emulsify properly. Stir in the vanilla extract and ground cinnamon. The mixture will have a rich brown color from the brown sugar, which is perfectly normal.
Step 7
Arrange the chopped, toasted walnuts evenly over the bottom of the chilled tart shell. Press them down gently so they form a compact layer.
Step 8
Carefully pour the prepared walnut filling over the walnuts, ensuring it fills any gaps and covers them completely. Spread the filling evenly to create a smooth surface.
Step 9
Bake the tart in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for approximately 25 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. Keep an eye on it to prevent the walnuts or crust from burning. The filling should be slightly jiggly in the center, but it will continue to set as it cools.
Step 10
Once baked, carefully remove the tart from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. The wonderful aroma of cinnamon and toasted walnuts will fill your kitchen. This homemade walnut tart is not only a treat for yourself but also a beautiful homemade gift!
Step 11
My eldest child absolutely loved this freshly baked walnut tart, giving it a big thumbs-up for being so delicious! I highly recommend you try making it too!
