Fresh Peach Tartlets Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Serves a Crowd

by: Merrill Stubbs

August31,2011

3.7

3 Ratings

  • Makes 8 to 12 tartlets

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Author Notes

When my sister and I were little, my mother would often make jam tartlets with us, using her collection of tiny stainless steel tart molds -- in diamond, oval, triangle shapes. For this challenge against Amanda, I decided to create a hybrid of these jam tartlets and the classic fresh fruit tarts you see at good French patisseries (and which I made countless times at culinary school). I incorporated some ground almonds into the crust and Instead of pastry cream, which would have been too sweet with the jam, I dolloped on some mascarpone, and finished the peaches with a light glaze, all French-like. —Merrill Stubbs

  • Test Kitchen-Approved
  • Contest Finalist

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • The tartlet shells
  • 2 ouncesblanched almonds
  • 6 ouncesall-purpose flour
  • 1 ouncesugar
  • 1/2 teaspoonkosher salt
  • 8 tablespoonscold, unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 2 to 3 tablespoonsice water
  • The peach tartlets
  • 1 cupgood peach and/or apricot jam, divided
  • 1 cupmascarpone cheese
  • 4 to 6 small, ripe peaches
Directions
  1. The tartlet shells
  2. Pulse the almonds in the bowl of a food processor until they resemble fine breadcrumbs (careful not to over-grind, or you'll end up with almond butter).
  3. Add the flour, sugar and salt and pulse several times to combine. Add the butter and pulse until the largest pieces of butter are about the size of small peas.
  4. Lightly beat the egg yolks and add to the mixer, pulsing a few times just to combine. As you continue to pulse, gradually add the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough just starts to come together. (It should stick when you pinch a bit of it between your fingers.) Do not over-mix!
  5. Remove the dough from the mixer and put it on a lightly floured surface. Pat it gently into a disc, wrap it tightly in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight. **Alternatively, you can press the just-mixed dough into the tart tins at this stage and refrigerate until ready to bake.
  6. Heat the oven to 350F. Roll the dough between two floured pieces of plastic wrap until it is about 1/8-inch thick. Put your tartlet tins upside down on top of the dough and cut shapes around them, leaving about half an inch on all sides. Press the dough pieces gently into the tins and level the tops with a rolling pin, removing any excess dough from the edges. Dock the tartlets several times with a fork and fill any larger shells with parchment and baking weights. Refrigerate the tartlet shells for at least 20 minutes.
  7. Bake the shells for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden in color, removing the parchment and baking weights about five minutes before the shells are done. Cool on a rack and then turn the shells out of their tins.
  1. The peach tartlets
  2. Put 1/2 cup of the jam in a small heavy saucepan with a tablespoon of water. Warm gently over medium-low heat as you assemble the tartlets.
  3. Spread a small spoonful of jam over the base of each cooled tartlet shell -- you just want a thin coating. Add a dollop of mascarpone to each and spread gently over the jam.
  4. Wash and dry the peaches, and then cut them into 1/4-inch slices. Arrange them prettily among the tart shells, covering the surface of the mascarpone.
  5. Use a pastry brush to glaze the peaches with the thinned jam. Serve immediately!

Tags:

  • Pie
  • French
  • Fruit
  • Peach
  • Serves a Crowd
  • Summer
  • Dessert
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  • BlueKaleRoad

  • Burnt Offerings

  • EatArt

  • Rhonda35

  • Waverly

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25 Reviews

Merrill, for the nut allergy people, do we need to adjust the tart dough recipe if we skip the almonds?

tessa022707 September 18, 2011

This is delicious! Made burbon vanilla peach jam last week and used that with the last of our farmers market peaches in a large tart pan. Added a touch of vanilla paste to the Mascarpone and ecery last crumb got eaten. Thanks for a great recipe!

tessa022707 September 18, 2011

Oops...every last crumb...

Merrill S. September 18, 2011

You're welcome! Your additions sound inspired.

BlueKaleRoad September 7, 2011

Love this recipe, Merrill! I made it in a large tart pan (don't have any cute little tins) and it was divine.

Merrill S. September 7, 2011

So glad you liked it!

Burnt O. September 5, 2011

Does the dough make enough for a double crust pie?

Merrill S. September 5, 2011

Don't think it would be quite enough.

For future reference - this dough recipe makes just enough for a generous 9 inch bottom crust, and a loose (~1/2") lattice top. Perfect for Mrs. Wheelbarrow's Cardamom Pie Filling to bubble through. :-)

Burnt O. September 5, 2011

Cardamom PEACH pie filling, that is.

EatArt September 4, 2011

Both tarts look amazing. Yours in particular counts on beautiful, perfect peaches. What's your secret for picking peaches that will deliver on their peachy juiciness and avoiding those that are tasteless or grainy?

Merrill S. September 4, 2011

I usually go to a source I trust -- for example, a stand at the market whose peaches I've had before. But if the peach is rosy and smooth, gives just a little when you press it gently with the pad of your finger and smells like peach perfume, you're on the right track...

Rhonda35 September 4, 2011

Hi Merrill!

How did I know your tart would have something deliciously creamy in it?! I figured it would be creme fraiche, so you did surprise me...a tiny bit! Looking forward to giving these a whirl.

Merrill S. September 4, 2011

I'm a little too predictable, aren't I?

Waverly September 2, 2011

Lovely, Merrill. Both recipes look so good..and they are quite different. I like the idea of individual tarts. Yum.

Waverly September 2, 2011

and I am a sucker for anything French.

Jonnofor September 2, 2011

Can I make this as a single large tart?

Merrill S. September 2, 2011

Yes, you can. I'd use a 10-inch pan, and prepare everything pretty much the same way. (You might need to adjust the amounts of jam, mascarpone and peaches a little.)

MotherWouldKnow September 2, 2011

I have a bunch of those wonderful little tarlet shell pans that I use for individual lemon meringue tarts. I am always looking for ways to re-purpose them. This looks like a winner - can't wait to try it!

Bevi September 1, 2011

This looks really fabulous. I will have to get out my little metal tart molds and get to work!

Merrill S. September 2, 2011

Hope you like them!

BlueKaleRoad September 1, 2011

Love your recipe, Merrill, and I can't wait to try it. The jam and mascarpone together sounds divine and I can't resist tartlets!

Merrill S. September 2, 2011

Thank you!

Lizthechef September 1, 2011

Merrill, how I adore your Mom aka Lauren Bacall. Well, I will have to flip a coin here. Best wishes to your mother, and thanks for another lovely recipe from your family roots. best, Liz

Merrill S. September 2, 2011

Thanks, Liz. I'll pass along the message!

Fresh Peach Tartlets Recipe on Food52 (2024)
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