Tieton Apricot Tart with Basil Custard

This big dessert was made for a big picnic in Tieton, Washington from locally grown fresh apricots. Tart apricots and lightly-sweetened custard with a hint of basil layer onto a rustic whole wheat and almond crust. Store tart in refrigerator until ready to serve.

• Preparation Time: 50 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
• Calories: 242 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup butter
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• ⅔ cup white sugar
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 quart milk
• ⅔ cup cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons buttermilk
• 1 cup apricot jam
• 10 egg yolks
• 1 cup almond meal
• 3 sprigs basil
• 15 fresh apricots, pitted and sliced

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Whisk all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, almond meal, 1 tablespoon sugar, lemon zest, and salt together in a large bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is in pea-sized crumbles. Stir in buttermilk until dough comes together.

Step 3

Press dough evenly over the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of a 12x16-inch tart pan or sheet pan.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Place pan on a wire rack to cool completely, about 1 hour.

Step 5

Whisk egg yolks, 2/3 cup sugar, and cornstarch together in a heavy-bottomed pot. Whisk in milk. Add whole basil sprigs.

Step 6

Cook milk mixture over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture begins to steam, about 8 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Remove basil sprigs with tongs and discard. Whisk vigorously until custard thickens, about 1 minute.

Step 7

Set a wire mesh strainer over a large bowl. Pour custard into the strainer; use a rubber spatula to press it through the strainer into the bowl. Whisk vanilla extract into the custard. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface. Refrigerate until cold, about 3 hours.

Step 8

Pour cooled custard over crust; spread evenly to edges of crust with a rubber spatula. Arrange apricot slices on top.

Step 9

Scoop apricot jam into a small microwave-safe bowl; microwave on high until melted, about 1 minute. Brush jam over apricot slices.