Holiday Nut Tarts Recipe 🥧
Description: These Holiday Nut Tarts are a cherished tradition in our household, reserved for special occasions like Christmas. With a buttery crust and a delightful nut-filled filling, they are an absolute treat that you’ll want to savor slowly. The combination of hazelnuts, almonds, and pine nuts, along with warm spices and honey, creates a flavor profile that is simply irresistible. Be warned, though: once you make these, you’ll have to guard them closely to ensure everyone gets their fair share!
Recipe Information:
- Recipe Category: Dessert
- Keywords: Lunch/Snacks, Fruit, Nuts, Canadian, Kid Friendly, Christmas, < 60 Mins, Oven, Easy
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 53 minutes
- Yield: 24 small tarts
Ingredients:
| Pastry | Filling | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 cups all-purpose flour | 1/2 tsp salt | 3/4 cup hazelnuts | 1/4 cup liquid honey |
| 1 cup butter | 3/4 cup pine nuts | 1/4 cup butter | |
| 1 egg | 1/2 cup almonds | 2 eggs | |
| 1 tsp white vinegar | 1 1/4 tsp fresh lemon rind | ||
| 2/3 cup cold water | 1 tsp ground cinnamon | ||
| 1/2 tsp white pepper | |||
| 1/4 tsp ground cloves | |||
| 1/4 tsp ground coriander | |||
| 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg |
Instructions:
-
Pastry:
- In a food processor, combine the all-purpose flour and salt.
- Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a measuring cup, beat together the egg and white vinegar, then add enough cold water to measure 2/3 cup.
- Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and process just until the mixture begins to clump.
- Press the pastry into a ball, then refrigerate until chilled through.
- Roll out the pastry between two pieces of waxed paper to 1/8 inch thickness.
- Using a cookie cutter or glass, cut rounds and fit them into 24 small tart tins (or 18 large tins). Chill for 15 minutes.
-
Filling:
- Spread the hazelnuts in a cake or pie pan, and the almonds and pine nuts on a baking sheet.
- Place both pans in a 375°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the nuts are lightly toasted and fragrant.
- Place the hazelnuts in a tea towel and rub off as much of the skin as possible, then coarsely chop them along with the almonds.
- In a large bowl, mix together the toasted nuts, fresh lemon rind, and all the spices.
- Add the liquid honey, butter, and eggs, and stir until the fruit and nuts are evenly coated.
- Spoon the filling into the prepared tart shells.
-
Baking:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Bake the tarts in the preheated oven for 16 to 18 minutes, or until the pastry and filling are golden brown and the edges of the filling are set.
- Let the tarts cool completely before serving.
These Holiday Nut Tarts are best enjoyed with a cup of hot cocoa or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They make a wonderful addition to any holiday dessert spread and are sure to become a new family favorite. So go ahead, indulge in these irresistible treats and spread some holiday cheer!
