Got to Be NC
Recipe by: Lisa Prince

Strawberry-Almond Cream Tart

This recipe is similar to the recipe that won at the 2010 State Farmers Market Strawberry Contest.  The topping is so good; I plan to make that for toast and biscuits!

Servings: 8
Cook Time: Prep Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 3 hour and 10 minutes
Meal Type: Dessert
NC Ingredients: Strawberries

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Ingredients

Crust:
72
honey graham crackers (about 18 sheets)
4
tablespoons sugar
4
tablespoons butter, melted
8
teaspoons water
cooking spray
Filling:
8
oz. cream cheese
1/4
cup sugar
1/2
teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4
teaspoon almond extract
Topping:
3
to 4 cups fresh strawberries, divided
2/3
cup sugar
1
tablespoon cornstarch
1
tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2
tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted

Directions

Crust:

Preheat oven to 350°.

Place crackers in a food processor; process until crumbly.

Add 2 tablespoons sugar, butter, and water; pulse just until moist.

Place mixture in a 9-inch round removable-bottom tart pan coated with cooking spray, pressing into bottom and up sides of pan to 3/4 inch. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

Cool completely on a wire rack.

Filling:

To prepare filling, combine cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, and extracts in a medium bowl; stir until smooth.

Spread mixture evenly over bottom of tart shell.

Topping:

To prepare topping, place 2 cups strawberries in food processor; process until pureed.

Combine strawberry puree, 2/3 cup sugar, and cornstarch in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring with a whisk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low; cook 1 minute.

Remove glaze from heat, and cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.

Combine 1-2 cups strawberries and juice; toss to coat.

Arrange berries, bottoms up, in a circular pattern over filling.

Spoon half of glaze evenly over berries (reserve remaining glaze for another use).

Sprinkle nuts around edge.

Cover and chill 3 hours.

Note: You can use either an 8 x 12-inch rectangular pan or a 9-inch round tart pan. The recipe also works with a 9-inch spring form pan and a 10-inch pie plate.

 

Recipes found on this page are from Got to Be NC members, staff, industry partners and Stove Side Chats. Stove Side Chats is Got to Be NC’s cooking show hosted by restaurant marketing specialist Chad Blackwelder. This series invites chefs and home cooks from around the state to teach you how to cook with in-season North Carolina deliciousness.