Star Studded Berry Tarts Food

STAR-STUDDED BERRY TARTS

Steps:

• Make the crusts: Pulse the flour, pecans, granulated sugar and salt in a food processor until the nuts are finely ground. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse meal. Drizzle in 6 tablespoons ice water and pulse until the dough comes together. Turn out onto a piece of plastic wrap and form into a disk; wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
• Lightly flour a large sheet of parchment paper. Roll out the dough on the parchment into a 9-by-13-inch rectangle. Trim into an 8-by-12-inch rectangle (reserve the scraps). Cut into eight 3-by-4-inch rectangles. Separate the pieces slightly on the parchment, then use your fingers to crimp the edges. Slide the parchment onto a baking sheet. Roll out the scraps until 1/4 inch thick. Cut out 8 stars using a small floured star-shaped cookie cutter; arrange on the baking sheet around the crusts. Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Poke holes in the crusts with a fork. Brush the stars and the edges of the crusts with the beaten egg. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes; remove to a rack to cool completely.
• Make the pastry cream: Combine the milk, 1/3 cup granulated sugar and the vanilla in a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk 1/2 cup buttermilk, the egg yolks, cornstarch and the remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a bowl. Slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook, whisking, until thick and bubbling, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons buttermilk. Lay plastic wrap on the surface and refrigerate 45 minutes.
• Carefully transfer the crusts to a platter. Spread the pastry cream on the crusts, then top with the berries. Top each tart with a star. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

RASPBERRY BLUEBERRY STAR TART

Steps:

• Four hours before serving: Preheat oven to 375°F Generously grease the bottom and sides of a 9" or 11" round tart pan.
• Using one package of cookie dough, flour/grease hands and pat dough onto bottom and up sides of tart pan.
• Make decorative cookie stars: Roll out remaining dough on a floured surface; cut out star cookies.
• Place on ungreased baking sheet, and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
• Bake crust 12-15 minutes and cookies 3-4 minutes; cool.
• Filling: Combine condensed milk, sour cream, lemon peel, and lemon juice; stir 3 minutes or until thick.
• Cover and chill up to four hours.
• Assemble tart: Loosen and remove sides of tart pan; leaving bottom of tart pan under the crust. You can use the star cookies as a border in the event the sides of your cookie tart break off.
• Spread filling on the crust; top with berries and star cookies.

STAR-SPANGLED FRUIT TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Press cookie dough onto an ungreased 12 inch pizza pan (for round design) or onto a cookie sheet (for square/rectangle design).
• Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.
• In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and almond extract until smooth. Spread over crust.
• In center of tart, arrange berries in the shape of a star; add a berry border. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

STAR-SPANGLED FRUIT TART

Steps:

• Press cookie dough onto an ungreased 12-in. pizza pan. Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack., In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and extract until smooth. Spread over crust. In center of tart, arrange berries in the shape of a star; add a berry border. Refrigerate until serving.