(c) Johnny Miller
Toasted-Hazelnut Tarte Au Sucre
By Gail Simmons
Gail Simmons’ take on the French-Canadian classic Tarte au Sucre, featured in her cookbook ‘Bringing It Home’. This rustic sugar pie is reimagined with toasted hazelnuts, elegance, and texture. A reflection of her Canadian roots and French training, it’s Top Chef sophistication meeting baking tradition and culinary culture.
Buy her book here.
Makes 12-14 thin slices
Hazelnut Crust
1/2 cup hazelnuts, plus more for serving
1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
Up to 4 tablespoons ice water
Filling
1 cup maple sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup chilled heavy cream
Unsweetened whipped cream, for serving
Special equipment: 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom
For the crust: Heat the oven to 350 degree F. Spread the hazelnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven until lightly browned and the skins start to blister, 10 to 12 minutes. Rub the hot toasted hazelnuts in a clean kitchen towel to remove skins (it’s OK if not all the skins come off), then let cool completely. Transfer 1/2 cup of the cooled nuts to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the nuts resemble a coarse meal.
In a large bowl, whisk together the hazelnuts, flour, and salt. Using your fingertips, blend in the
butter until incorporated, leaving some roughly pea-sized lumps. Working with 1 tablespoon at a time, stir in 2 to 4 tablespoons ice water, just until the dough holds together.
Place the dough in the center of the 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Using your fingers and a flat-bottomed measuring cup, spread and push the dough to evenly cover the bottom and sides of the pan. Prick the dough all over with the tines of a fork. Freeze until firm, at least 30 minutes or overnight wrapped tightly in plastic.
For the filling: In a medium bowl, stir together the maple sugar, brown sugar, egg, flour, butter, and 1/3 cup cream until well combined.
To assemble: Increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees F with the rack in the middle.
Remove the tart shell from the freezer and bake until the dough is just starting to brown, about 20 minutes. Pour the filling into the hot crust and continue baking until the crust is golden and the edges of the filling are just set (the center will be fairly jiggly), 35 to 38 minutes more. Cool the tart in the pan on a rack for 1 hour (the filling will continue to set as it cools), then remove the sides of the pan.
Cut into thin slices, dollop with unsweetened whipped cream and sprinkle with more tasted hazelnuts for serving.
The tart can be kept, covered and refrigerated, for up to 1 day. Bring it to room temperature just before serving.