Best Basic Tart Crust Tortenboden Recipes

EASY TART CRUST

Steps:

• Blend flour and salt in processor. Add butter; using on/off turns, cut in until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 3 tablespoons ice water and cream. Process just until moist clumps form, adding more ice water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic; chill 1 hour. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled. Soften slightly at room temperature before rolling out.)

BASIC TART CRUST - TORTENBODEN

Steps:

• Beat the egg yolks and gradually add 1/2 cup sugar, and beat to a froth.
• Mix the hot milk with the remaining sugar, lemon juice, lemon peel, and butter.
• Sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
• Combine all mixtures.
• Beat the egg whites until fluffy, then fold them into the mixture.
• Grease a pan and dust with flour, pour mixture into pan and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.
• Remove from oven and let cool; when cool, slice twice horizontally, spread layers with cream filling of your choice, and set back together.

BASIC TART CRUST

Steps:

• In a food processor combine flour and salt. Add butter and pulse until butter is the size of peas. Whisk together the yolk and 1/2 cup cold water. Drizzle the liquid into the food processor while pulsing to combine. Pulse until dough holds together when you pinch it, adding liquid as needed.
• Turn dough onto a shet of plastic wrap and from into a ball. Divide in half and wrap each half in plastic wrap, flattening into a disk. Chill until cold or ready to use, about 30 minutes.
• On a floured surface roll dough until it's 3/16 inch thick and large enough to fit in the tart pan. (Pinch edges of dough as you roll to prevent cracks and tears.) Place dough into tart pan; gently lift into place without stretching and press into pan. Use the heel of you hand or a rolling pin to trim the edges flush with the pan. If blind baking, freeze crust about 20 minutes.
• For blind baking, heat oven to 375 degrees F. Line the chilled crust with aluminum foil, pressing foil into the corners. Fill with pie weights or dried beans and place on a baking sheet. Bake until crust is set and just starting to brown, about 30 minutes. Remove foil lining and weights and return crust to oven to brown evenly, 5 to 10 minutes more. Cool completely, then remove from tart pan. Makes 2 Single Crusts.
• CHEESE AND HERB CRUST VARIATION FOR TOMATO TART: Add 1/2 cup grated Gruyere or Jarlsberg cheese and 2 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano or thyme to the food processor with the flour and salt. Proceed with recipe as directed.

EASY SHORTBREAD TART CRUST (NO ROLL)

Steps:

• Blend ingredients to make a soft dough.
• Pat into a 9 or 10 inch tart or pie pan.
• Prick crust well with fork.
• Bake in 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes.

GERMAN STRAWBERRY TART / ERDBEER TORTENBODEN

Steps:

• Grease an 8 inch (20cm) raised-based flan tin. Sprinkle over 2 tsp sugar and tilt to coat evenly. Add 1 level tsp flour and coat similarly, knocking out any excess.
• Place the eggs and remaining sugar in a deep bowl and whisk until the mixture is very thick. Sift the flour over the surface of the mixture. Fold in gently with a metal spoon, then turn into the prepared tin and tilt to level the surface.
• Place on a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 180 degrees C for 20-25 minutes until the sponge springs back when pressed lightly. Allow to cool on a wire rack.
• Arrange the sliced fruit in the flan case. Put the strawberry jam and 1 tbsp water in a small saucepan and heat gently together until liquid. Cool a little then brush over the fruit.