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This Christmas tart blends the warmth of spiced caramel with the richness of white chocolate mousse all nestled in a buttery pecan crust. It’s made to impress during the holiday season, offering a festive and indulgent dessert that's both beautiful and deeply satisfying.
I first made this tart one chilly December evening and its comforting flavors quickly became a beloved tradition in our family gatherings. Every year it brings a nostalgic warmth and a little sparkle to the holiday table.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter: room temperature for a rich and tender crust quality butter makes a noticeable difference
- Powdered sugar: helps create a smooth, delicate texture in the crust
- Egg: binds the dough together for structure
- Kosher salt: enhances all the flavors without overpowering
- Allpurpose flour: for structure balanced with cake flour which gives tenderness
- Pecans: finely chopped add crunch and that classic nutty flavor choose fresh nuts for best aroma
- Granulated sugar: for the caramel base, opt for pure white sugar for clean sweetness
- Heavy cream: is essential both in the caramel and mousse for creaminess and luscious texture
- Fleur de sel: for a subtle saltiness that balances the caramel’s sweetness
- Cinnamon: brings a cozy holiday spice that elevates the entire tart
- Powdered gelatin: stabilizes the mousse and helps it hold its shape
- White chocolate: finely chopped melts smoothly for the mousse pick a good quality bar for the richest flavor
- Granulated sugar: sweetens the mousse just right
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics:
- This recipe skips traditional sautéing but warming ingredients gently while combining builds flavor, especially when melting butter and sugar for caramel on medium heat. Keep stirring for even heating.
- Prepare the Pecan Crust:
- Cream butter and powdered sugar on low speed in a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment to incorporate air without melting butter. Add the egg briefly then gradually mix in allpurpose flour, cake flour, salt, and pecans until just combined. Avoid overmixing or the crust will be tough. Press dough into a disk and chill if sticky.
- Roll and Fit the Dough:
- Lightly flour your surface and roll dough to a 12inch circle so it can fit nicely into a 9.5inch tart pan. Gently transfer dough to pan and press evenly along the edges. Trim excess dough with a knife or your fingers.
- Freeze and Blind Bake:
- Freeze tart shell for 30 to 60 minutes to prevent shrinking during baking. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line tart with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 24 to 28 minutes, removing weights during the last 5 minutes so crust crisps nicely. Let cool completely before filling.
- Make the Cinnamon Caramel Filling:
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and granulated sugar together. Meanwhile warm heavy cream in a small saucepan until just simmering. Stir butter and sugar until the mixture turns amber color and becomes smooth. Slowly whisk in warm cream off the heat to combine. Add fleur de sel and cinnamon. Chill filling slightly before pouring into cooled crust. Refrigerate tart for one hour.
- Prepare the White Chocolate Mousse:
- Sprinkle gelatin over cold water and let it bloom for 5 minutes. Heat 60 milliliters of heavy cream, stir in gelatin to melt. Pour this hot cream over chopped white chocolate, stirring continuously until smooth. Let the mixture cool to room temperature. Whip remaining cream with sugar to soft peaks and gently fold into the white chocolate mixture. Pour mousse over the set caramel layer. Chill the tart in the fridge for at least two hours before serving for best texture.
This tart is one of my favorite projects because the process feels like a festive ritual. The first time I tasted the combination of cinnamon caramel under smooth white chocolate mousse, I knew this would be a dessert we would make year after year. Choosing pecans fresh and toasting them lightly beforehand unlocks deeper nutty flavor, though this recipe’s raw chopped nuts also work beautifully.
Storage tips
Store leftover tart covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to three days. The crust will stay crisp if wrapped well but is best enjoyed fresh. For best flavor, bring to room temperature about 15 minutes before serving. Avoid freezing the assembled tart because the mousse texture can become grainy.
Ingredient substitutions
You can swap pecans with walnuts or almonds if preferred but pecans bring a distinctive buttery nuttiness essential to this recipe. Use cream cheese instead of heavy cream for a denser mousse alternative though it will change the texture. For a dairy free option, try coconut cream and a gelatin substitute but expect flavor shifts.
Serving suggestions
Serve with a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to complement the rich caramel and white chocolate layers. A sprinkle of fresh pomegranate seeds or cranberries adds festive color and a burst of tartness that balances the sweetness. Pair with a warm cup of spiced tea or mulled wine for a cozy holiday finish.
Chill the tart thoroughly between layers for clean slices and best texture. Toast the pecans and garnish with pomegranate seeds for festive color and contrast.
Common Questions About Recipes
- → What makes the crust unique in this tart?
The crust is made with finely chopped pecans and a mix of all-purpose and cake flours, creating a buttery, nutty base that adds texture and flavor.
- → How is the cinnamon caramel filling prepared?
The filling is made by melting sugar and butter until amber-colored, then slowly whisking in warm heavy cream, cinnamon, and fleur de sel for a rich, spiced caramel.
- → What is the texture of the white chocolate mousse like?
The mousse is light and creamy, made by folding whipped cream into melted white chocolate and gelatin, resulting in a smooth topping that balances the tart's richness.
- → Can this tart be prepared ahead of time?
Yes, the tart requires chilling between steps: the crust is chilled before baking, the caramel filling is refrigerated before adding the mousse, and the tart is chilled again to set the mousse.
- → What decoration options complement this tart?
Popular options include a dusting of powdered sugar or fresh seasonal fruits to enhance the tart's festive appearance and flavor.