RHUBARB CUSTARD TART

Rhubarb Custard Tart image

The secret to the success of this stunning rhubarb tart is blind-baking the crust. Pop it in the oven before making the filling, so it gets firm and crunchy, and you'll prevent a soggy bottom as the creamy custard and tart rhubarb stalks get baked in.

Provided by Sarah Carey

Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Pie & Tarts Recipes

Time 2h25m

Yield Serves 10 to 12

Number Of Ingredients 12

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Ingredients

1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt (we use Diamond Crystal)
10 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
4 to 5 tablespoons ice-cold water
1 pound rhubarb, halved lengthwise into 3/4-inch stalks if thick
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (we use Diamond Crystal)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla paste or extract

Steps:

Dough: Pulse flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor until combined. Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal, with some pea-size pieces remaining. Drizzle 4 tablespoons ice water over mixture; pulse several times to combine. Add more water as needed, pulsing until mixture holds together when pinched. Shape dough into a rectangle and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 1 day, or freeze up to 3 months; thaw completely in refrigerator before using.
Preheat oven to 375°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 12-by-15-inch rectangle, about 1/8 inch thick. Transfer to a 9-by-12 1/2-inch rimmed baking sheet or a fluted tart pan with a removable bottom, fitting dough into corners and folding over extra to create a double-layered edge. Refrigerate 15 minutes.
Line dough with parchment and fill to top with dry rice or beans, or pie weights. Bake until edges are golden and bottom is beginning to dry out, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove parchment and pie weights; continue baking until golden brown on bottom, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes.
Filling: Meanwhile, cut rhubarb into 11-inch lengths (if some are shorter, that's okay). Using a sharp knife, score rhubarb along rounded sides on a diagonal at 2-inch intervals (this helps heat penetrate and break up the fibers, so the tart is easier to slice once cooked).
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup sugar, flour, salt, eggs, cream, and vanilla; pour mixture into cooled crust. Arrange rhubarb lengthwise over top, scored-sides up; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Bake until tart is puffed, golden, and just set in center, 45 to 55 minutes.
Let cool on a wire rack at least 1 hour before serving. To serve, run a spatula under tart to release from sheet, then slide onto a cutting board. Cut into squares; serve at room temperature or chilled. Tart is best eaten the day it's made, but can be refrigerated, covered, up to 1 day.