Peach tarts are a delicious dessert with many recipe variations. Baking tips include pre-baking the crust, slicing the peaches evenly, and adding twists like alcohol or other fruits. Cream, custard, or cheese can be added for a more dynamic dessert.
Peach tarts are wonderful desserts, containing an excellent balance of rich buttery crust and tart fruit flavor. There are hundreds of different recipes for peach pies, ranging from rustic, thick varieties to airy confections that could pass for art. Understanding a few basic baking tips can help rise a peach tart from simply yummy to divine, as well as prevent baking disasters.
Tarts are similar to pies, but feature a single open crust. Sometimes filled with creams and mixed ingredients, tarts are a popular way to incorporate fresh seasonal fruit into a dessert. A peach tart should generally be made when peaches are in season, as this will create the most flavorful dish. Depending on the region, fresh peaches may be available from late spring through early summer.
A peach tart recipe may call for a partially or pre-baked crust. This is an important step, as the time it takes to cook the fruit filling without burning or browning may not be enough to fully cook the crust. Some experts recommend filling a pie shell with pie weights, small weighted balls, during pre-baking in order to prevent bubbles or cracks from forming in the crust. This can also be accomplished by greasing a second pie pan and placing it inside the pie shell to hold the crust.
How the fruit is cut will make a big difference to the look of the finished product. Slicing the peaches evenly will help ensure they all cook to the same level, as well as make them easier to layer in the pie shell. To make an elegant cake, peel the peach and remove the stone, then cut the peach in half with the cut side down. Using a sharp knife, cut each half into segments by touching the center of the knife blade to the center of the peach, then pulling the knife down and back. For rustic tarts, leave the peaches unpeeled and plain sliced in relatively uniform chunks.
While a peach tart may be simple perfection, don’t be afraid of jazzy recipes with a few twists. Soak peaches in a quick bath of scented alcohol before cooking, such as frangipani or light rum. Contrast the rich taste of peach with another flavor by adding blueberries, figs or even rhubarb. Consider adding some depth to the flavor with judicious applications of cinnamon, cloves, or vanilla.
A peach tart can be mixed with a cream, custard or cheese base to create a more dynamic dessert. For a low-fat version of a custard tart, try using fat-free ricotta whipped with vanilla extract and topped with peaches and a drizzle of honey. Use a rich marzipan base and almond slices sprinkled over perfectly cut peaches for a refined dessert.
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