Introduction:<br />Indulge in the sweet and tangy flavors of a homemade cherry tart with this simple and delicious recipe. This delightful dessert combines a crisp and buttery tart shell with a luscious cherry filling, resulting in a treat that is both visually stunning and palate-pleasing. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or simply craving a special dessert, this cherry tart recipe is sure to impress with its simplicity and exquisite taste.<br /><br />Ingredients:<br />To create your mouthwatering cherry tart, gather the following ingredients:<br /><br />For the Tart Shell:<br /><br />1 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour<br />1/4 cup granulated sugar<br />1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes<br />1 large egg yolk<br />1-2 tablespoons ice water (if needed)<br />For the Cherry Filling:<br /><br />4 cups fresh cherries, pitted and halved<br />1/2 cup granulated sugar<br />2 tablespoons cornstarch<br />1 tablespoon lemon juice<br />1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />Instructions:<br /><br />Preparing the Tart Shell:<br /><br />In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and sugar.<br />Add the cold cubed butter to the bowl and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to incorporate it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.<br />Add the egg yolk and mix until the dough starts to come together. If needed, add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough holds its shape when pressed together.<br />Gather the dough into a ball, flatten it into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.<br />Rolling out the Tart Shell:<br /><br />Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).<br />On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a circle slightly larger than your tart pan.<br />Carefully transfer the rolled dough into a greased tart pan, gently pressing it into the bottom and sides of the pan.<br />Trim any excess dough from the edges.<br />Pre-baking the Tart Shell:<br /><br />Line the tart shell with parchment paper or aluminum foil and fill it with pie weights or dried beans.<br />Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.<br />Remove the weights and parchment paper, then bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the tart shell turns golden brown.<br />Allow the tart shell to cool completely on a wire rack.<br />Making the Cherry Filling:<br /><br />In a saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Stir gently to coat the cherries evenly.<br />Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until it thickens and the cherries release their juices. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.<br />Remove the saucepan from heat and let the cherry filling cool slightly.<br />Assembling and Chilling the Cherry Tart:<br /><br />Pour the slightly cooled cherry filling into the cooled tart shell, spreading it evenly.<br />Place the tart in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours, or until the filling is set.<br />Serving the Cherry Tart:<br /><br />Once chilled, remove the tart from the refrigerator and gently remove it from the tart pan.<br />Slice the cherry tart into wedges and serve it as is or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.<br />Enjoy the p
