It’s nearly the weekend and I’m very excited about it. This weekend doesn’t necessarily hold any special plans, unless you count sleeping in (until, like, 7:30, let’s be real) and wearing PJs past noon and maybe eating this Nut-Crusted Cranberry Tart for breakfast as plans — in which case, I have many many plans for this weekend. I hope you have similar plans for yourself (that include sleeping in way past 7:30).
This beauty of a cranberry tart comes straight from Martha Stewart and is actually a sneak preview recipe from her upcoming season of “Martha Bakes” on PBS, which airs this weekend (another reason I’m excited for the weekend)! So click through and scroll on down for the exclusive recipe (and maybe also more ramblings from yours truly about the gloriousness that is wearing PJs past noon).
I am in love with this recipe for so many reasons. The walnut crust. The sweet-tart fresh cranberry filling (with a splash of cognac, yes please). The beauty of the simplicity of this dish. And how even more beautiful it looks when displayed on this jadeite cake stand from the Martha Stewart Collection (so many heart eye emojis for this cake stand!). If I could keep this tart displayed on this cake stand in my kitchen as a permanent fixture, it would make me so happy — that is, if any of us could resist eating the tart for longer than threeve seconds.
This tart is simple, but it does require a little bit of baking finesse and skill, which is always a fun challenge for me (and I hope for you, too). I love when baking requires some extra thought and decision-making, like a puzzle that you get to eat at the end. This tart is just that, and I’m sure if you catch Martha’s show this weekend she’ll give you some baking tips that will make this fun challenge less, well, challenging, and only more fun. I know that’s what I’ll be doing.
We are just at the start of cranberry season here so fresh cranberries might be hit-or-miss at your typical grocery stores right now, but soon enough you know they’ll be ev.er.y.where. If you’re still in dried cranberry land but have an urge, check out my cranberry bagels right away! And once the cranberries have arrived, this tart will be the perfect dessert to make for the holidays. It’s just so festive! And you can bake it to show off your newfound skills that you learned from Martha herself.
So really, how late is too late to wear PJs on the weekend? 1 p.m.? 4 p.m.? Just keep them on until the next day? I’m asking for a friend.
Fresh Cranberry Tart
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 3 ½ ounces walnuts, finely chopped
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the filling:
- ½ ounce unflavored gelatin, 2 envelopes
- ½ cup cold water
- 6 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar, can add ¼ more to taste
- 1 cup red currant jelly
- 2 tablespoons cognac
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Make the crust: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine walnuts, butter, sugar, flour, salt, yolk, and vanilla. Beat until well combined. Firmly press into the bottom and up the sides of an 11-by-8-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes. Bake until edges are set and golden, about 40 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make the filling: Sprinkle gelatin over water in a small bowl; let stand until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Combine cranberries, sugar, jelly, and cognac in a saucepan and cook over low heat until cranberries are soft but not bursting, 12 to 15 minutes. Do not overcook or the mixture will become too watery. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Stir in gelatin mixture and let cool completely.
- Pour cranberry filling into cooled tart shell and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!Disclosure: I received the Martha Stewart Jadeite Cake Stand from Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia for promotional purposes. All opinions are my own.
The walnut crust looks incredible! I’m going to have to try this out!
thanks for this recipe, I haven’t ever had cranberry tarts before, I’m inspired to go find some!
Martha — I think it would (though if you have a 9-inch round tart pan that might be best)! And you can substitute brandy for the cognac or just leave it out entirely if you’re trying to skip the alcohol.
This looks amazing! Would the crust work in an 11 inch round tart pan? Also, any suggestions for a substitute for cognac?
Heather — Umm, right? The only reason for turkey is the cranberry sauce, let’s be real. 😉 Thanks!
Allyson — You certainly can try it with a hand mixer! I think it would work with a little patience. 🙂
Sune — Thank you! And me, too. 😉
this sounds perfect for thanksgiving! (i know, not even november yet). the only reason i grab turkey is for the cranberry sauce anyways, so why do that when i could just have a slice of this tart?!
This looks fantastic. I love the idea of walnuts and cranberries together in one dessert. Now to decide if I’ll wait to use a stand mixer at work, or try to hack this with a hand mixer at home…
Picture perfect! I love the addition of the cognac. 🙂