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Swedish Sand Pastries

in Diana's Recipe Book

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(total ratings: 2)
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Servings: 14 petit tarts or 7 mini tarts
 
Comments:
What makes sand pastries taste so pleasant is their crumbly, silky texture and toasty flavor from browned butter and ground roasted almonds. You can, in fact, control the flavor and texture by how you make the tarts: If baked just until golden brown, they're tender; if richly browned, they take on a crunchy bite when cool, with a melt-away texture on the palate.

Most cookware stores will carry various shapes and at least a couple of sizes of the tiny tart pans. You can use tiny ones for pretty pick-up treats or larger ones for a full-size dessert.

Ingredients:
MAKES: 14 tarts 2 1/2 inches wide or 7 tarts 3 inches wide

1/2 cup ( 1 stick or 1/4 lb.) unsalted butter
1/3 cup roasted salted almonds
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg white
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions:
1. In a 1-1 1/2-quart pan over medium heat, cook butter until particles on pan bottom and foam that floats on melted butter turn amber-colored and smell toasted (mixture may bubble up), 5 to 6 minutes. Let cool at least 10 minutes.

2. In a food processor or blender, whirl almonds and sugar to a fine powder (if using a blender, transfer to a bowl). Scrape browned butter into container with nuts and sugar; add egg white, vanilla, almond extract, and flour. Whirl or stir with a fork until blended (dough will be sticky).

3. For petite tarts, use 2 1/2-inch round tart pans (about 3/4 in. deep; 2-tablespoon capacity), lining each with about 1 1/2 tablespoons dough.

For cookie-size tarts, use 3-inch round tart pans (about 1 1/4 in. deep; 5-tablespoon capacity), lining each with about 3 tablespoons dough.

With your fingertips, press dough evenly over bottom and up sides of pans (nonstick or regular), flush with rims. Set slightly apart in a shallow, rimmed pan (10x15 inch).

4. Bake in a 300° F regular or convection oven until tarts are richly browned at the edges and slightly paler in the center, 25 to 35 minutes; small tarts brown faster, so start checking them early. (If you prefer slightly softer tarts, bake only until edges are golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes.) The tarts puff up in the center as they cook, leaving only a small depression.

5. Transfer pans to a rack and let stand until tarts are warm but comfortable to touch, 5 to 8 minutes. Then invert one pan at a time onto a flat surface and gently squeeze, tapping very gently. If tart doesn't fall out, ease free with the tip of a sharp knife. Serve warm or cool. If desired, fill tarts with whipped cream and top with fresh berries.

Source: DianasDesserts.com
Date: September 12, 2002

Reviews

Reviewer: Annie
Rating: 
Review:
These are absolutely delicious! And they freeze super well!

 
Reviewer: Rob Miller
Rating: 
Review:
Your site is very useful.

 

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