Dried Plum and Walnut Caramel Tart

Prep Time 25 minutes    Cook Time 1 Hour     Serves 16

Ingredients

Tart Crust:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 large egg yolk
1 tablespoon cold water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling:

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons whipping cream
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup (about 3 ounces) dried plums (prunes), chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
1 ounce bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Directions

To make Tart Crust, in medium bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt. Add butter; cut into flour mixture until dough resembles coarse meal. Add egg yolk, water and vanilla; mix just until dough is combined. Form into 6-inch disk and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Heat oven to 400ºF. Press dough evenly onto bottom and 3/4 inch up sides of 8-inch square baking pan. Crimp edges; freeze 10 minutes.

Prick bottom of pastry several times with fork; line bottom with parchment paper. Place approximately 1 cup of pie weights or dried beans evenly on parchment. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until top edges are golden brown. Remove parchment and weights. Reduce heat to 375ºF. Bake an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until pastry is no longer shiny. Cool on wire rack.

To make Filling, in medium saucepan, combine cream and sugar. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 3 to 5 minutes or until mixture is thickened. Remove from heat; stir in dried plums and walnuts. Let stand 15 minutes. Pour filling into pre-baked tart crust, evenly distributing dried plums and walnuts. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until top is browned and bubbly. Cool tart on wire rack 15 minutes. Melt chocolate in top of double boiler. With a fork, using a back-and-forth motion, drizzle chocolate onto top of tart. When chocolate is set, cut into 16 squares.

Recipe created by Joanne Weir.

Nutritional Information

Calories

178

Cholesterol

37mg

Total Fat

11g

Sodium

24mg

Carbohydrates

19g

Protein

2g

Fiber

1g

Potassium

82mg