Make Ahead

Nut Crescent Sweet Pastry Crust

June  1, 2015
0
0 Ratings
  • Makes 1 ten-inch tart shell
Author Notes

One of our favorite cookies during the December holidays inspired this flavorful sweet crust, perfect for summer tarts - and cold weather ones, too! ;o) —AntoniaJames

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 4 ounces (114 grams / 1 heaping cup) pecan pieces, toasted
  • 2 tablespoons (24 grams) sugar (I use turbinado, but ordinary cane sugar will do)
  • 1 ¼ cup (156 grams) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup / 22 grams wheat germ (see note below)
  • Small pinch of kosher salt
  • Generous dash of cinnamon (optional)
  • Healthy pinch of freshly grated nutmeg (optional, but highly recommended)
  • 3 ounces (84 grams / 6 tablespoons) unsalted butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
  1. In a food processor, firmly pulse 5 or 6 times the pecan pieces, all of the dry ingredients (including the spices) and the butter. Scrape down the sides of the work bowl.
  2. Beat the egg with the vanilla. Drizzle it over the dough ingredients. Pulse just enough to bring the dough together, scraping down the sides after the third or fourth pulse.
  3. Turn the dough out into a 10” tart tin, ideally one with a removable bottom. Working from the center, press out and up into the edges, smoothing to make the surfaces even; pack the crust into the sides.
  4. If blind baking, chill before filling with weights and baking.
  5. I hope you like this. Yours truly, AntoniaJames ;o)
  6. NB If you don’t have any wheat germ, use 170 grams / 6 ounces / 1 ¼ cup + two rounded tablespoons of flour instead of the amount called for in the ingredient list.
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  • AntoniaJames
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  • missshar
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Recipe by: AntoniaJames

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3 Reviews

missshar September 8, 2020
Hi Antonia, this looks like a delicious recipe! I was wondering if it's possible to substitute the egg. My sister had developed an egg allergy and I have no clue how to make a good pie crust.
 
AntoniaJames September 8, 2020
missshar, it should be fine without the egg, but I would add at least a tablespoon of water to help it come together. I doubt that more than that will be necessary, but of course, use your judgment. Good luck! ;o)
 
missshar September 8, 2020
Thank you! I'll give it go and comment with an update!