Easy Cranberry Tart
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This cranberry curd tart recipe is a showstopper dessert that combines a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread crust with a vibrant, perfectly balanced cranberry curd filling. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday gathering where you want to impress without the stress!
Prep 45 minutes minutes
Cook 40 minutes minutes
Chilling Time 3 hours hours
Total 4 hours hours 25 minutes minutes
Recipe Makes (Approximate): 10
Food processor
10-inch tart pan with removable bottom
rolling pin
parchment paper
Pie weights or dried beans
medium saucepan
High-powered blender or immersion blender
Fine mesh sieve
baking sheet
whisk
Pastry brush
wire cooling rack
For the Shortbread Crust
- 12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (diced)
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (240 grams)
For the Cranberry Curd
- 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup water (or orange juice)
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 whole large egg
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into small cubes)
For Optional Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
For Garnish (optional):
- Sugared cranberries
- Whipped cream
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- Orange slices
Make the Shortbread Crust
Place 12 tablespoons cold butter (diced), ⅔ cup powdered sugar, and 2 egg yolks in bowl of food processor fitted with blade. Pulse until combined but still speckled with butter.
Add 2 cups all-purpose flour and run machine just until dough comes together when pinched between fingers. Turn dough out onto large piece of parchment paper, knead a few times to bring together, and pat into disc shape.
Wrap well in parchment and chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in center. Remove dough from fridge and let rest on counter for 15 minutes.
Sprinkle flour on work surface and over surface of dough. Roll out dough with rolling pin to approximately 12-inch circle.
Transfer dough carefully to 10-inch tart pan with removable bottom, pressing lightly so it sits snugly against bottom and sides of pan. Prick bottom of shell all over with fork. Place whole pan onto baking sheet.
Place piece of parchment paper over shell, making sure to cover edges. Spread plenty of dried beans or pie weights over parchment, covering whole bottom of tart shell.
Bake for 15 minutes, then remove parchment and beans.
For optional egg wash, beat 1 egg and 1 tablespoon water together with fork in small bowl. Brush shell with egg wash.
Return shell to oven for additional 15 minutes or until completely golden brown. If edges start to color too much, cover lightly with foil. Remove from oven and cool completely before filling.
Make the Cranberry Curd
In medium saucepan, combine 12 ounces cranberries, 1 cup granulated sugar, and ¾ cup water or orange juice. Set over medium-high heat. Once mixture begins to boil, turn down to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer mixture to high-powered blender and blend on high for 1 to 2 minutes or until completely smooth. Pour mixture through fine-mesh sieve set over bowl, using spatula to press it through.
Add smooth cranberry mixture back to pot along with 3 large egg yolks and 1 whole egg. Whisk until completely combined. Place pot back on stove over medium heat and continue to heat and whisk constantly for 5 to 10 minutes or until mixture thickens and coats back of spoon.
Remove from heat and stir in 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into small cubes) until completely melted and incorporated. Pour curd into cooled tart crust, spreading evenly to edges.
Refrigerate for at least 3 hours until set. Before serving, garnish with sugared cranberries, whipped cream, fresh rosemary sprigs, or orange slices as desired.
Pan size matters: This recipe is designed for a 10-inch tart pan. If using a 9-inch pan, you'll have extra curd (save it for yogurt or toast—it keeps for 5 days in the fridge!). If using an 11-inch or larger pan, make 1.5x the curd recipe so the filling isn't too thin.
Don't skip the sieving: Straining the cranberry mixture through a fine-mesh sieve is essential for achieving that smooth, vibrantly colored curd. It removes cranberry skins and seeds that would otherwise make the texture grainy.
Egg wash: The egg wash step is optional but gives the crust a beautiful golden color and helps create a moisture barrier between crust and filling. If skipping, the tart will still be delicious.
Storage: Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Crust stays crisp and filling stays set beautifully.
Make ahead: Bake crust up to 2 days in advance and store covered at room temperature. Assemble tart up to 24 hours before serving.
Crust alternatives: Can substitute graham cracker crust (2 cups crumbs, ⅓ cup melted butter, 3 tablespoons sugar, baked 10 minutes at 350°F) for easier preparation.
Freezing: Unbaked tart shell can be frozen for up to 2 months. Do not freeze an assembled tart with curd filling, it won’t freeze well!
Calories: 437calProtein: 5gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 132mgSodium: 13mgPotassium: 45mgTotal Carbs: 47gFiber: 1gSugar: 28gNet Carbs: 46gVitamin A: 363IUCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg
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