TARTE BOURDALOUE
When we were first dating, we would stay up in bed for hours trying to come up with new interpretations of classic desserts. Bird chile and passion fruit pavlova; Stilton mousse with walnut Florentine; apple, currant, and Brie pot pie. But some classics we knew not to amp up with "bold flavors" because they were sacred. Such is the tarte bourdaloue. This was one of the first desserts Matt and I were both taught to make in our classical pastry training; it is the pride of any French patisserie worth its (artisinal) salt, and _you will treat it with some goddamn respect!_ Traditionally, it's a buttery tart crust filled with poached pear and luxurious almond cream. However, no matter how mind blowing the tarte bourdaloue is, almost no one in this country knows what it is. _French Matt Says: You uncultured American swine!_ So, in an effort to make this winning flavor combo a bit more popular this side of the pond, we broke tradition and messed with it a little to turn it into a cupcake¿I mean, what's more American than cupcakes? Besides bald eagles, of course, but then again, you can't eat those (yet)!
Provided by Allison Robicelli
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Place pears and granulated sugar in a medium saucepan. Pour in wine, then add enough water to cover the pears by at least 1/2 inch.
- Simmer, uncovered, until pears can be easily pierced with the tip of a knife, but are not mushy, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Strain pears, discarding the liquid, and set aside on a cutting board. Once completely cool, cut pears into thin slices.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line pans with 24 baking cups.
- In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the pears, granulated sugar, and brown sugar, and mix on medium-low until well combined, about 1 minute.
- With mixer running, slowly pour in the oil. Continue mixing until combined. Stop the mixer, remove the bowl and paddle, and use the paddle to scrape the insides of bowl, making sure everything is fully incorporated.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cardamom, and nutmeg and add to the batter. Reattach the bowl and paddle to the mixer, and mix on medium until just combined, then add eggs and continue mixing until the batter is homogenous, about 10 to 20 seconds. Remove the bowl and paddle from the mixer and, once again, use the paddle to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl, ensuring that everything is well mixed.
- Scoop cake batter into the prepared baking cups, filling them three quarters of the way.
- Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. The cupcakes are done when the centers spring back when you touch them.
- Remove the cupcakes from oven, and let cool completely while you make the almonds and buttercream. Leave the oven on.
- Depending on the kind of pears you use, your cake batter may appear loose and watery. If this happens to you, add another 1/4 cup of flour, then allow cake to sit in the refrigerator for 10 minutes or so to allow the batter to hydrate a bit before baking.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Using a sturdy chefs knife, roughly chop the almonds.
- Place in a hot oven until toasted, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Remove the sheet from the oven, and immediately add the butter and salt. Gather up the corners of the aluminum foil, pinch to seal, then vigorously shake to coat the almonds. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the recipe for French Buttercream . Add the almond extract and beat well.
- Fill a pastry bag fitted with a fluted tip with the almond buttercream, and pipe onto each pear cupcake.
- Fan a few slices of pear across each cupcake. Sprinkle the chopped roasted almonds on top.
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