every couple of months a recipe will come along to remind me of why i started photographing + blogging about food. it evokes a freshness; a renewed passion and love for this craft. this is one of those recipes. the striking color, the perfect flavor balance.....oh, and a blow torch. this cranberry curd gingersnap tart was hands down one of my favorite recipes to create and photograph. rarely is a dessert as much fun to make as it is to eat! i hope you enjoy it as much as i have.
short and sweet ingredient list:
here's what you need to throw in your cart on your next grocery run
- gingersnap cookies
- unsalted butter
- fresh or frozen cranberries
- orange juice
- eggs
- sugar (extra fine or caster if possible)
- vanilla extract
so many festive flavors perfect for the season:
a tart as delicious as it is beautiful
- buttery
- spicy
- tart
- sweet
- bright citrus
- creamy
- toasted
- light + fluffy meringue
from the buttery press-in gingersnap crust, to the sweetened cranberry curd and toasted Italian meringue, this tart is full of festive flavor. the meringue is optional, but is a showstopper for sure. and in case you glossed over the detail about a blow torch...you totally get to use one to toast the meringue.
a few tips and tricks
just a some things I learned while creating and testing this cranberry curd gingersnap tart!
- this recipe uses a gingersnap crust, but you can really use any crust recipe you like. you can absolutely use a store bought crust, too!!
- you need to blind bake the crust (whatever crust you end up using) before adding the curd. if you don't you will end up with a soggy bottom tart.
- to blind bake, line the bottom of your crust with parchment paper filled with pie weights, rice or dried beans.
- this can be made in stages if you're pressed for time, but is best served the day you fully assemble and bake. if making in stages, blind bake and cool the crust. same for the curd. make it ahead and cool to room temperature before storing in an airtight container. when you're ready to assemble, bring the curd to room temperature for 15-20 minutes. add to your par-baked crust and bake as stated in the recipe.
- the edges of your crust may bake faster than the rest of your tart. if you fear the edges are burning, place foil strips along the edges and bake until the curd is set.
- you will have eggs whites from two eggs leftover from the curd. you can either save for another recipe, discard OR make an Italian meringue. if this is your plan, i highly suggest using a candy thermometer. the sugar has to reach a certain temperature before incorporating into the meringue and this is the surest way to ensure this happens. i have never been able to make a stable meringue until i tried this recipe
- a kitchen torch was used to toast the meringue. you can use any you like. but, this is the one i've used many times and its worked great!
more delicious tart recipes:
- bergamot lemon and earl grey tart
- sumac and chocolate ganache tart
- black cocoa rose water strawberry tart
cranberry curd tart with a gingersnap crust
This slightly tart and sweet curd fills a buttery gingersnap crust. Its the perfect complement of festive flavors and is sure to leave a lasting impression on your dessert table.
Equipment
- 9" removable bottom tart pan
- food processor
- mesh strainer
- parchment paper
- medium sauce pan
Ingredients
gingersnap crust
- 3 c gingersnaps
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed
cranberry curd
- 12oz bag fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ c orange juice
- 1 ¼ c caster or superfine sugar (275g)
- 2 eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 10 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F, line bottom of a tart pan with parchment paper. Lightly grease sides of the tart pan with butter. I use a pastry brush dipped in some of the melted butter. In a food processor, pulse gringersnaps into a course sand like texture. Add cold, cubed butter and process until it just comes together. Press into prepared tart, starting with the sides and working across the bottom to the center of the pan. Chill in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. Line the crust with a piece of parchment paper, cut the diameter of the tart pan. Line with pie weights, rice or dried beans. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack until ready to be filled with the curd. Reduce heat to 350F.
- Heat cranberries and orange juice in a sauce pan over low-medium high heat until cranberries begin to soften slightly and split. Strain through a mesh strainer, discarding the skins and returing the cranberry mixture to the same sauce pan. Add all remaining ingredients to the sauce pan with the cranberry mixture. Gently, but throughly stir together. Heat over low-medium heat until the mixture thickens, about 9 minutes.
- As soon as the mixture thickens, strain through the same mesh strainer, into another bowl or container. Pour into par-baked crust and return to the oven. Bake at 350F for 10-12 minutes, or until the curd sets with a slight giggle. Remove from oven and cool on a cooling rack to room temperature, about an hour. At this point, the tart can go into the fridge to chill or can be served at room temperature.
Notes
You will have some leftover egg whites. If you'd like to use them, I highly suggest an italian meringue. See blog post for the link I used to make the one in the photos. Its perfect and worked well the first time!
Other suggested toppings: dusting of powdered sugar, or fresh whipped cream
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Make sure to tag me on instagram @olivesnthyme. For more delicious dessert ideas follow me on pinterest
make sure to tag me on instagram @olivesnthyme. for more delicious dessert ideas follow me on pinterest.
Mary says
Why not just include the meringue wit the recipe??? Can’t find it and it looks lovely??
Mary says
I made the cranberry curd tart with gingersnap crust and the Italian meringue in the picture... BIG hit ... now a family favorite. Made it last Saturday for Chanukah and I’m making it again this weekend. I have a pic but no way to add pic.
Brandi says
For the 3 cups of gingersnaps, is that 3 cups of gingersnap crumbs?
Megan says
Hi Brandi, the three cups would be 3 cups of whole gingersnaps. Once processed into crumbs, I would say it's around 2-2 1/4 cups of crumbs.
Ryan says
if I wanted to make this in a 6" pan, how much should I reduce the recipe by? thanks in advance!
Megan says
Hi Ryan,
A 6” tart is slightly over half the capacity of a 9” tart. For ease of measuring, I’d suggest reducing the recipe by 1/3. Most likely you’ll end up with a bit extra for the crust and filling. Any extra curd keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days.
Meredith says
I'd like to scale this up to a 12" tart pan. Should I increase the ingredients by 1/4 or 1/3?
Megan says
Hi Meredith, I would increase the ingredients by 1/3.
Lindsay says
Do you think I could make the curd on the stovetop in advance, refrigerate, then bake it in the crust day of?
Megan says
Hi Lindsay, it should be fine to make the curd 1-2 days ahead of baking the tart.