Walnut Tarts - Tartas de Nuez

I loved the surprise of opening my lunchbox
and seeing what yummy treat mum included!

When I used to go to pre-school I always had the most enviable lunchbox in the pack!  I always had my apple, fruit juice, sandwich with no crusts and cut into 4 squares and...[drum roll please] a special treat!  One of my favourites was the little tarts.  In the next few blog posts I'll give you the recipes of some of the simplest and yummiest little tarts! To treat tummies small or large!


Walnuts Tarts

Pastry

• 1 1/2 cups plain flour
• Pinch of Salt
• 155g butter
• 1/4 cup icy water

Filling

• 60g butter softened
• 2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• Pinch of ground nutmeg
• 1 cup maple flavoured syrup
• 1 cup walnut halves

Pastry: Combine flour and salt.  Rub in butter until coarsely crumbed.  Gradually add enough of the water, forking mixture, until dough forms a ball.  Divide into 3 portions; wrap separately and chill.

Filling: Beat together butter and brown sugar until creamy.  Beat in next 4 ingredients, then blend in the maple syrup.  Set aside.

On a lightly floured surface, thinly roll out pastry, a portion at a time.  Cut into 9cm rounds with a fluted or scalloped cutter to fit 8cm tart tins.

Place 3 walnut halves in each shell, then fill with the syrup mixture.  Bake at 190 degree oven (high) until pastry is golden and filling is set; about 20mins.

Cool slightly in tins; remove to wire rack and cool completely.  Brew a cup of tea or whip out a spoonful of ice cream and enjoy!

Don't forget to watch all the live recipes on Cocina de Mama's YouTube channel.

Cocinar, comer y ser feliz!
Leticia