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Vanilla Pecan Tart

Harmonious blend of crunchy pecans, enveloped in a luscious vanilla-infused filling, all resting on a buttery Pâte Sucrée base. A taste of pure decadence with every bite!"
Servings 6
Prep Time 6 hours
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 6 hours 40 minutes

Ingredients

Pâte Sucrée

  • 200 g 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 45 g 1 1/2 tbsp almond powder
  • 80 g 2/3 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 g 1/4 tsp salt
  • 120 g 8 tbsp unsalted butter room temperature (but not melted)
  • 1 medium egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Pecan Filling

  • 1 cup approximately 99g chopped pecans
  • 2 medium eggs
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 40 g approximately 3 tbsp maple syrup
  • 4 tbsp around 50g brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/8 cup approximately 28g or 2 tbsp melted butter (cooled down)

Vanilla Whipped Ganache

  • 250 g 8.8 oz 1 cup + 2 tbsp warm heavy whipping cream (35% fat)
  • 250 g 8.8 oz 1 cup + 2 tbsp cold heavy whipping cream (35% fat)
  • 250 g 8.8 oz 1 3/8 cup white chocolate chips or chunks
  • 50 g 1.8 oz 2 tbsp + 2 tsp 200 bloom gelatin powder (2 tbsp. water mixed with 2 tsp. gelatin powder with 200 bloom strength )
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions

Pâte Sucrée

  • Preparation: Before starting, ensure your butter is at room temperature but not melted.
  • Sift the Dry Ingredients: Into a large mixing bowl, sift the all-purpose flour, almond powder, powdered sugar, and salt. This helps to remove any lumps and aerate the mixture.
  • Butter Time: Add the room temperature butter to the sifted dry ingredients. Using a paddle attachment (or by hand with a pastry blender), mix on low speed until the mixture resembles a sandy texture.
  • Egg & Vanilla Fusion: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and vanilla extract. Slowly incorporate this wet mixture into the sandy flour and butter combo.
  • Mix Until Combined: Continue to mix on low speed just until the dough comes together. Be cautious not to overmix; you want it to just incorporate.
  • Chilling Phase: Shape the dough into a flat disk, wrap it in plastic, and let it relax in the refrigerator for about 3 hours, or until it's firm.
  • Rolling Out: On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to fit your tart pan. If the dough has become too soft or melty, place it back in the fridge for an additional 10-15 minutes to firm up before baking.
  • Baking: Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F). Place the rolled-out dough in your tart pan and poke a few holes with a fork to prevent puffing. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until it turns a lovely shade of golden brown.
  • Cool & Fill: Allow the tart crust to cool completely before filling with your choice of delicious fillings.

Pecan Filling

  • In a mixing bowl, combine eggs, light corn syrup, maple syrup, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
  • Slowly pour the cooled melted butter into the mixture, ensuring it's incorporated evenly.
  • Add chopped pecans into the pre-baked tart shell, spreading it out evenly.
  • Pour the liquid filling over the pecans.
  • Lower the oven temperature at 170'C and bake for about 25 minutes or until the filling has set.
  • Once baked, remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

Vanilla whipped ganache

  • In a small bowl, combine gelatin with cold water. Allow the gelatin to bloom for about 5 minutes.
  • In a saucepan, heat the 250g heavy whipping cream until it reaches a gentle simmer.
  • In a tall glass or container, place white chocolate chips/ chunks, vanilla extract, and the bloomed gelatin, pour in warm heavy whipping cream and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Stir until fully dissolved.
  • Use an immersion blender to make an even smoother consistency. While blending pour in the cold cream.
  • Keep blending until fully combined.
  • Transfer to a container and cover it with plastic wrap, making sure that the plastic touches the surface of the mixture to prevent it from forming a skin.
  • Refrigerate for 6 hrs, preferably overnight.
  • Once chilled, transfer it to a mixing bowl and whip it using an electric beater until you reach the desired consistency.

Assembly

  • Once cooled, spread a generous layer of Vanilla Whipped Ganache over the top of the tart.
  • You can use different piping tips. You can play around with the decorations
  • You ca also place some whole pecans on the top to decorate.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Chef Notes: Since the Vanilla whipped ganache takes time to set in the fridge, you can do this first. 
If there's any crack in the tart shell, you can use the same raw dough to patch the cracks. Then bake it again for like 5 minutes.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Keyword: maple pecan, pate sucree, pecan, pecan tart, tart