Make a very beautiful cranberry tart for the holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year…this is the one. It’s bright and colorful, and the merengue top makes it even more beautiful!
The recipe was in the NY Times, but for some reason, I thought it needed a shortbread crust. The cranberry filling is quite tart, so the sweetness of the shortbread helped balance it.
PrintA very beautiful cranberry tart for the holidays
We made this tart with a shortbread crust in a rectangle-shaped pan.
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 80 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 lemons
- 3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (2 1/2 bags)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 4 large eggs separated
- 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½cup confectioners’ sugar
- one recipe of shortbread (Sheri Silver’s recipe)
Instructions
-
- Roll out the shortbread (refrigerated for at least 30 minutes) on a floured surface and press it into a tart pan with a removable bottom. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.
- Meanwhile, prepare the filling. In a pot large enough to hold the cranberries, add the sugar, salt, and lemon zest and stir. Add the cranberries and the 1 1/4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Boil until all the cranberries have popped. This takes about 10 minutes.
- Once the cranberry mixture is thick syrup, drain it through a sieve, push the liquid through it, and extract all of the juice. You’ll have exactly two cups. Discard the solids.
- Add the cornstarch and cold water to the same pan, and whisk until smooth. Add the egg yolks and whisk again until smooth, then add the cranberry mixture.
- Boil again over medium heat, stirring until thickened, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the lemon juice and cold butter.
- Pour into your tart shell and smooth evenly in the pan. Once cool, refrigerate for four hours or up to three days. Before topping with meringue, bring it back to room temperature.
- When ready to serve, prepare the meringue. In the bowl of a stand mixer, using the whisk attachment, add the egg whites, and whisk until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and continue to whisk until soft peaks begin to form. Add the confectioners’ sugar and whisk on medium-high speed for about five minutes or until you have glossy peaks.
- Scoop the meringue onto the tart, and using a knife, create peaks. Use a kitchen blow torch to brown the meringue peaks.
Making the Cranberry Filling
Ready to Serve
The filling must be set for about four hours in the refrigerator once it has been brought to room temperature. It can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days before serving.
When ready to serve, bring the tart to room temperature and make the meringue.
Special equipment used:
I finally purchased a kitchen blow torch that works beautifully to get the perfect brown on the meringue peaks. I used this tart pan, but a round would work too!
If you are a new MLT reader, welcome. Every Sunday, I join my friends, Mary Ann of Classic Casual Home and Cindy Hattersley, to share our favorite things of the week!
2. Play House
New product launch: Holiday nightgowns
Since I went to Alt Summit in October, where I met Tilly, the owner, I have wanted to share this woman-owned small company called Play House. Tilly is the mother of twin daughters and the owner/founder of Play House.
Tilly said watching her girls play was magical. “kids make magic all the time” – So 12 years ago, she started a company called PlayHouse, empowering girls through crafts and clothes.
In addition to her website, where she just launched a new collection of holiday nightgowns, she also has summer craft camps for girls. Her camps sell out quickly, and it’s easy to see why they are so popular.
They paint, sew, make sun paper prints, 1-minute sculptures from trash and learn flower arranging.
Tilly says she loves to do things with the girls that are more adult-oriented, like flower arranging. They love it and feel empowered to do something so grown up and feel very accomplished. She encourages them to give the bouquet to someone….always spreading love!
The nightgowns are priced at $30 and are adorable! What a fun way to kick off the holidays with your girls!
3. The Collected Garden
Many readers are probably familiar with my friend Sandy of The Collected Garden. Sandy is a flower grower in New Jersey, where she creates the most gorgeous arrangements throughout the seasons. This was the last one of the year that she shared on Instagram.
Paper Mache Ornaments by Sandy
Sandy has also been busy making handmade and handpainted paper mache ornaments. Each mushroom is dusted with German glass glitter and finished with a copy of an 1890s die cut. They are absolutely beautiful and would make a lovely gift, and they are available in my shop! Visit SHOP Most Lovely Things.
4. And a Gift Guide
Here are a few stocking stuffer ideas for those who love to cook!
- Microplane Zester // 2. Hot Chocolate // 3. Chip Clips // 4. Milk Frother // 5. Mulling Spices // 6. Enamelware Milk Pan // 7. Butter Crock // 8. Japanese Kitchen Shears 9. Glass Salt Dish // 10. Meat Thermometer // 11. Kitchen Timer
These are all things I’ve given, received, or bought for myself over the last year.
I can’t imagine not using a Microplane zester for everything from citrus to parmesan cheese. I always seem to get at least one tin of Williams Sonoma Hot Chocolate, and every year I think, oh, we will never be able to drink all of that. And guess what, we do! The Japanese enamelware small pan is perfect for heating up the milk for hot chocolate. A butter crock is something I grew up with, and for some reason never had one until this summer after returning from France. Both my kids are getting a pair of kitchen shears in their stockings! They are so helpful with cutting fresh herbs and numerous other tasks!
I love this glass salt dish. I saw them at Merci Paris when we were in Paris this fall, and I knew I had to get one the minute we got home. Everyone needs a good meat thermometer. I have the old-fashioned kind, but I bought this for my son when he started cooking.
Pretty chip clips are a must! Once you have nice ones, you will never want those plastic ones again!
A milk frother for your cappuccino or your hot chocolate. It’s just so simple!
A kitchen timer because using the timer on your phone is just too distracting! Ina Garten has several, and at $11 each, I might get another one!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Such a fun post!!! I made a lemon blueberry tart yesterday in the same tart pan…what a beautiful tart you made. I want to try it.
Love everything on your gift list!!
Francesca B says
Beautiful recipe thank you Annie looks perfect to give to friends and neighbors. Please can you link the tart tin. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving all the best!
annie diamond says
Hi Francesca! Thank you for reading! Here is a link to the pan I have! Happy holidays!
https://rstyle.me/+NQIdiszDvmLwyyDAzOck0A
annie
sheri silver says
Wow this is a beauty! No chocolate and torched meringue, so basically right up my alley! Thank you for the shortbread credit too – you’re the best! xoxoxo
annie diamond says
Wait…you don’t like chocolate?
cindy says
OMG!! I adore Sandy’s ornaments! And I am making that cranberry dessert for Christmas! Loved this weeks post! So fabulous!!
annie diamond says
Aren’t they adorable? Sandy is so creative!
Diane Ruebel says
Good morning from the “other coast”,
I’m very interested in purchasing several of the enchanting mushroom ornaments. Can you please tell me how large they are?
The personal way you choose products for your shop becomes like a basket of blessings with a rich diversity of gifts. Thank you for offering uniquely thoughtful items.
May your Thanksgiving be a joyful gathering around your table.,
Diney on Mercer Island
annie diamond says
Hi Diney!
I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving~ I’m sorry I missed your comment on the 21st. I only have one left. They sold out so fast. They are by my friend Sandy of The Collected Garden. Would you like me to put you in touch with Sandy to buy more?
xx
Juliet says
Annie! Your tart is a work of art! And that rhythms!!! Wishing you the best Thanksgiving week! xo
Sandra Sallin says
Such great ideas. Great minds think alike. I have some of the same ideas on my YOuTUbe channel. Ive saved some in my Amazon Cart. Loved the cranberry tarte. I like sweet things to be tarte. Does that make sense. Another lovely and entertaining post.