Vanille Kirsch Törtchen Vanilla Cherry Tarts
The festive season is a time for indulging in delicious treats, and what better way to spread some holiday cheer than by baking up a batch of Vanille Kirsch Törtchen, or Vanilla Cherry Tarts? These delightful German Christmas pastries are an irresistible combination of rich vanilla pastry cream and sweet, tangy cherries, all nestled in a crisp, buttery shell. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering or simply want to treat yourself to a taste of the holidays, these tarts are sure to be a hit. So, preheat your oven and let’s get baking!
Vanille Kirsch Törtchen – Vanilla Cherry Tarts
Ingredients:
For the pastry dough:
– 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1 large egg yolk
– 1 tablespoon cold water
For the vanilla pastry cream:
– 2 cups whole milk
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1/4 cup cornstarch
– 4 large egg yolks
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the cherry topping:
– 1 cup pitted cherries, fresh or canned
– 1/4 cup cherry jam
Instructions:
1. Start by making the pastry dough. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter and rub it into the flour mixture using your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
2. Add the egg yolk and cold water to the mixture. Gently knead the dough until it comes together in a smooth ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease a muffin tin or tart molds.
4. Roll out the chilled pastry dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out circles of dough using a cookie cutter or a small bowl that will fit into your muffin tin. Line the prepared muffin tin with the dough circles, gently pressing them in to form the tart shells. Prick the bottoms of the dough with a fork.
5. Bake the tart shells for 12-15 minutes, or until they are lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely in the tin.
6. While the tart shells are cooling, prepare the vanilla pastry cream. In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until steaming but not boiling.
7. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks, and vanilla extract until smooth. Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
8. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and comes to a boil. Let it boil for 1-2 minutes, then remove from the heat.
9. Strain the pastry cream through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps. Transfer the cream to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming, and refrigerate until chilled.
10. Once the tart shells and pastry cream are completely cooled, fill each tart shell with a spoonful of the vanilla pastry cream.
11. In a small saucepan, heat the cherry jam until it becomes pourable. Spoon a dollop of the cherry jam on top of each tart.
12. Place a few pitted cherries on top of the cherry jam, pressing them slightly into the jam.
13. Chill the tarts in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
14. Serve these Vanille Kirsch Törtchen to your family and friends to spread some Christmas joy with this delightful holiday treat!
Enjoy these delicious Vanilla Cherry Tarts as a delightful addition to your holiday baking repertoire. Their combination of sweet cherries, creamy vanilla pastry cream, and buttery pastry shell is sure to impress even the most discerning of guests. So, put on your apron and enjoy spreading the festive cheer through these delightful German Christmas pastries. Happy baking!