Canadian Maple Tarts

Ingredients

Pastry:

3/4 cup / 175 ml

cold unsalted butter, cubed

3/4 cup / 175 ml

cold vegetable shortening, cubed

3 cup / 750 ml

all-purpose flour

1 tsp / 5 ml

salt

1/4 cup / 50 ml

Egg Creations Whole Egg Original, well shaken

1/4 cup / 50 ml

Ice Water

1 and 1/2 tsp / 7 ml

Cider Vinegar

Filling:

1/4 cup / 50 ml

Egg Creations Whole Egg Original, well shaken

2 tbsp / 30 ml

all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp / 1 ml

Salt

1 and 1/2 cup / 375 ml

all-purpose flour

2 tbsp / 30 ml

melted, unsalted butter

1 and 1/2 cup / 375 ml

Maple Syrup (preferably dark)

1 tbsp / 15 ml

cider vinegar

Directions

1. Pastry: Place cubed butter and shortening in the freezer for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine flour and salt in a food processor. Whisk egg with ice water and vinegar in a glass measure.

2. Add butter and shortening to food processor; pulse until mixture has uniform coarse pea-sized crumbs. Transfer to a large bowl. Pour over egg mixture; stir with a fork until a shaggy dough forms. (Add up to 2 tbsp/30 ml extra ice water if dough looks dry).

3. Gently press dough together into a ball; divide equally and flatten into two discs. Chill for at least 1 hour. Roll out each portion of pastry 1/8 inch (2 mm) thick and use a 4 inch (16 cm) cutter to cut out 16 circles. Press lightly into muffin pans. Chill for 15 minutes.

4. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C); place rack in lowest position.

5. Filling: Whisk egg with flour and salt until smooth; gradually whisk in maple syrup, butter and cider vinegar. Pour 2 tbsp (30 ml) filling into each tart shell.

6. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until pastry is golden and filling is set. Immediately run a thin knife around each tart when still hot to loosen any cooked on syrup. Cool for 15 minutes; remove to a rack to cool completely.

Tips

1. Use a leaf shaped cutter to cut out small decorations from the scraps to garnish the top of your tarts. Arrange on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and brush with egg wash. Bake on the centre rack (above tarts) for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden.

2. Use purchased refrigerated dough or frozen tart shells as a shortcut if preferred.

3. Add a few chopped pecans, walnuts, raisins or currants to each shell before spooning in the filling. Or, for another Canadian product, add dried cranberries.