Blackberry Basil Tart Recipes

MINI BLACKBERRY PIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Gently toss blackberries with sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a large bowl.
• On a floured surface, roll 1 disk of pate brisee to 1/8-inch thickness. Using a 5 1/2-inch biscuit cutter, cut out 6 rounds. Drape each round over a 4-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom, and press dough into bottom and up sides of pan. Edges will be flush with rims. Roll remaining disk of dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out 6 more 5 1/2-inch rounds.
• Fill each tart pan with 3/4 cup blackberry mixture, mounding berries in the center. Dot berries with butter. Center 1 of the remaining dough rounds on top of 1 tart pan. Gently press top and bottom edges of dough together to seal, and then pinch sealed edges. Repeat with remaining rounds. Transfer pies to a rimmed baking sheet, and freeze or refrigerate until firm, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Lightly whisk yolk and heavy cream in a small bowl. Brush the top of each pie with egg wash, and sprinkle with sugar. Cut 4 vent holes in the top of each with a paring knife.
• Bake for 30 minutes. Rotate baking sheet, and reduce heat to 375 degrees. Bake until berries are bubbling and crust is deep golden brown, about 30 minutes. Let pies cool in pans on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Unmold, and let pies cool completely on wire rack. Serve with whipped cream.

BLACKBERRY PUFF PASTRY TARTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a cookie sheet.
• Mix the cream cheese, sugar, and cinnamon together in a bowl until thoroughly blended. Set aside.
• Place the puff pastry shells on the prepared cookies sheet. Brush each shell with milk and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
• Bake in preheated oven until shells expand and turn golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Watch closely to make sure shells bake thoroughly, but do not overbake. Remove shells from oven, and use a fork to remove the cap from each shell. Set the caps aside.
• Spoon 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture into each shell. Top with 6 to 8 blackberries. Place a puff pastry cap on top of each shell over the berries.
• Return filled pastry shells to oven, and bake until pastry tops are golden brown and the filling is warm, about 5 minutes more.

BLACKBERRY MASCARPONE TART WITH THYME SHORTBREAD CRUST

Steps:

• Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Add 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; mix to combine. Add egg and mix until incorporated. Gradually beat in flour, thyme, and salt. Dough should come together and pull away from the sides of the bowl. Knead dough slightly and shape into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch round or 13x4-inch rectangular tart pan with a removable bottom.
• Press dough evenly into the prepared tart pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before filling, about 30 minutes.
• Combine 3 ounces of blackberries and 1/2 tablespoon sugar in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring frequently and crushing the berries with a spoon, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and press mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove all seeds and collect as much of the berry pulp as you can. Discard any seeds and solids left behind in the sieve and return crushed berries to the saucepan.
• Mix together cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl. Add cornstarch mixture to the saucepan with the berry sauce; cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil and starts to thicken, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
• Combine mascarpone cheese, 3/4 cup powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in a bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
• Beat cream in a separate chilled glass or metal bowl with an electric mixer until frothy. Add sugar gradually, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture and mix well. Spoon filling into the cooled tart crust and spread evenly. Using a teaspoon, drop spoonfuls of the smooth blackberry sauce on top of the filling. Using a knife, gently cut through sauce and filling to swirl. Garnish the top of the tart with the remaining 3 ounces blackberries and fresh mint.