Classic Pecan Tart

Classic Pecan Tart

Classic Pecan Tart is rated 5.0 out of 5 by 6.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8 Serves 8.
The pecan tree grows wild in many areas of the temperate South. On chilly autumn mornings, you will find kids and grown-ups alike scurrying in their yards, bucket in hand, trying to beat the squirrels to this prized nut. Bourbon and orange zest add subtle flavor to this cherished Southern dessert.

Ingredients:

For the pastry dough:

  • 1 1/4 cups soft winter-wheat flour, such as
      White Lily brand, or cake flour
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 cup cold solid vegetable shortening
  • 4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut
      into small cubes
  • 3 to 6 Tbs. ice water

For the filling:

  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 Tbs. bourbon (optional)
  • 1 Tbs. grated orange zest
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup pecan halves, plus 1/3 cup coarsely
      chopped pecans

Directions:

To make the pastry, in a bowl, stir together the flour and salt. Add the shortening and cut in with a pastry blender, 2 knives or your fingers until the mixture resembles cornmeal. Add the butter and cut in until it forms tiny pea-size balls. Add the ice water a little at a time, stirring and tossing with the pastry blender or a fork until the mixture holds together. Gather the dough into a ball and flatten into a disk. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough into an 11-inch round about 1/8 inch thick. Fold the round into quarters and place in a 9 1/2-inch nonstick or traditional tart pan with a removable bottom. Unfold, then press gently into the bottom and sides of the pan. Trim the overhang even with the pan rim. Refrigerate until ready to fill.

Position a rack in the lower third of an oven and preheat to 325°F.

To make the filling, in a bowl, stir together the sugar, corn syrup, melted butter, eggs, bourbon, orange zest, vanilla, salt, pecan halves and chopped pecans. Pour into the chilled pastry shell and place the pan on a baking sheet.

Bake until the center is slightly soft to the touch, the edges are set and the crust is golden brown, 45 to 55 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool for 30 minutes, then remove the pan sides and slide the tart off the pan bottom onto a serving plate. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Serves 8.
Adapted from Williams-Sonoma New American Cooking Series, The South, by Roy Overton (Time-Life Books, 2000).
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Go to for Thanksgiving Dessert Been making this for 2+ years and wouldn't change a thing. The addition of orange zest is the perfect touch that offsets the sweetness. Make sure to let the tart rest a bit after taking it out of oven. Will keep making this for years to come.
Date published: 2022-11-18
Rated 5 out of 5 by from No goo! Great pecan tart with no goo. I did tweak the recipe by using a pie crust mix to save time. I toasted the pecans. I cut back on the grated orange zest and did not include the bourbon.
Date published: 2022-11-15
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Failsafe and BEST ever.. I've made this twice with perfect results. I use the WS gluten free piecrust mix because it is so much better than my own--and I can roll it thinly. Both times I omitted the orange zest and only realized it upon reading the other reviews. My family agrees that this tops all my efforts in the pecan pie/tart holidays' endeavors.. But I recently made it to bring to a spring dinner party with proud success.
Date published: 2018-05-19
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Pecan tart I absolutely love this recipe. I don't like pecan pie, but married a guy that it's his fav. So I tried this one. I left out the bourbon and orange zest, but it was fantastic. None of that runny syrup. I'm making again tonight. Have shared with lots of people that didn't like original pecan pie because of how sweet and results were basically the same.
Date published: 2014-11-14
Rated 5 out of 5 by from thanksgiving dessert it was really tasty. I made it for thanksgiving day dessert. The crust was very flaky, and the filling was quite moist - without being runny. I baked the pie in a regular pie dish not a tart pan.
Date published: 2013-12-15
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Perfect Pecan Tart Many Pecan tarts or pies are too sweet. The orange zest and bourbon in this recipe add a nice balance. This tart is a family favorite.
Date published: 2012-11-19
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