Cherry Custard Tart with Sliced Almonds

This tart has everything going for it: a silky custard, sweet cherries, and a crunchy almond topping. This tart dough is more like a cookie dough because the butter gets mixed with the sugar instead of being left in pieces. Blind baking the tart shell keeps the bottom crust from getting soggy. This recipe makes enough for two crusts; divide the dough and freeze half for future use (defrost it in the refrigerator overnight before rolling it out).

For the tart dough:

• 6 oz. (12 Tbs.) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 4-1/2 oz. (1 cup) confectioners’ sugar
• 1-3/4 oz. almonds, finely ground in a food processor to yield just under 1/2 cup
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 9 oz. (2 cups) unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp. salt

For the cherry custard filling:

• 1 lb. fresh sweet cherries, rinsed and pitted
• 2/3 cup heavy or whipping cream
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted

To make the dough:

Beat the butter and confectioners’ sugar in a heavy-duty mixer with the paddle attachment until mixed together. Add the ground almonds, egg, and vanilla, and then the flour and salt. Mix until just combined. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, shape into two disks, and wrap both in plastic. Refrigerate one disk for at least 1 hour and up to 3 days; freeze the other for future use.

To assemble and bake:

Heat the oven to 400°F. Remove the dough from the refrigerator. On a lightly floured work surface, roll it into a round 1/8-inch thick. (If the dough crumbles, it’s too cold; gather it into a ball, knead a few turns, and roll again.)

Transfer the dough by rolling it onto the rolling pin and then unrolling it over a 9- or 9-1/2-inch fluted tart pan that’s 1 inch deep and has a removable bottom. Gently ease the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. To remove excess dough, run the rolling pin over the top of the edges to cut it off. Put the pan on a baking sheet, line the dough with parchment, and fill it with pie weights, dried beans, or rice. Bake it in the middle of the oven until the sides are set, 10 to 15 minutes. Carefully remove the weights and parchment, return the shell to the oven, and bake until the bottom is set and the crust is light brown, another 7 minutes.

Unroll the dough over the tart pan...

...then press with the rolling pin to give the tart clean edges. Excess dough can be used to patch any holes, if needed.

Spread the cherries in the bottom of the tart crust in one layer (you can do this while the tart is still hot). Whisk together the cream, sugar, and eggs and carefully pour the mixture over the cherries until the custard comes just to the top of the pan; you may have an extra tablespoon or so of custard remaining. Sprinkle the almonds on top. Return the tart to the oven and bake until the top is brown and the cherries are bubbling, about 40 minutes. Let the tart cool until you can remove it from the pan.

A sweet, creamy custard surrounds whole sweet cherries. Pay attention as you pour so that you don't overfill the crust.

Coconut Cream Pie

Even people who say they don’t like coconut love this pie, excerpted from the cookbook Mother's Best. What sets it apart is the chocolate cookie crust and the coconut rum. If you don’t already stock coconut-flavored rum in your home bar, get a bottle if only for this recipe. It really takes the flavor to another level.

For the crust:

• 6 oz. Nabisco® Famous Chocolate Wafers (about 30 cookies) 
• 5 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted

For the filling:

• 1-1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise
• 6 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/8 tsp. kosher salt
• 2 Tbs. cornstarch
• 1-1/2 cups sweetened, shredded coconut, toasted, plus more for garnish
• 4 Tbs. unsalted butter
• 2 Tbs. coconut rum, such as Malibu

For the topping:

• 1-1/2 cups cold heavy cream
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

To make the crust:

Heat the oven to 350°F and place a rack in the middle of the oven. Place the chocolate wafers in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade and pulse until ground into evenly sized crumbs. Or place them in zip-top bag and pulverize them with a rolling pin or meat mallet until finely crushed. You should have about 1-1/2 cups of crumbs.

Place the crumbs in a medium mixing bowl. Drizzle in the melted butter and mix with a fork until the crumbs are evenly moistened (if using a food processor, drizzle the butter through the feed tube while pulsing). 

Transfer the buttered crumbs to a 9-inch pie plate, and use your fingertips or the back of a spoon to press the mixture evenly into the pie plate, spreading it up the sides but not over the rim. (I find the back of a spoon works best for pressing the crumbs into place and scraping away the thicker areas where the bottom meets the sides to even out the crumbs.)

Bake for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the sides of the crust feel firm to the touch. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before filling.

To make the filling:

Place the milk, cream, and vanilla bean in a large (4-quart) saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until almost about to simmer. (The surface will start to look foamy. This is called scalding. Do not let it boil.) Remove from the heat and let the vanilla bean steep in the milk for 15 minutes.

Place the egg yolks, sugar, salt, and cornstarch in a medium mixing bowl and beat with a whisk until well blended, about 1 minute.

Remove the vanilla bean from milk. Use a knife to scrape out as many seeds as possible and add them to the milk. Swirl the pod in the milk to remove any remaining seeds. Discard the pod or save for another use. Add the toasted coconut and place the pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer, then remove from the heat.

Ladle out about 1/2 cup of the hot milk and whisk it into the egg mixture. (This is called “tempering,” which allows the eggs to warm up so they don’t get shocked into curdling when you pour them into the hot milk.) Slowly pour the egg mixture into the pot of milk, whisking steadily to keep the eggs from curdling.

Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly but not furiously. (You must stir constantly so you don’t get scrambled eggs, but don’t stir too vigorously either). Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook while whisking constantly (make sure to get the sides and edges) until the mixture is very thick, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the butter and stir until melted, then stir in the coconut rum.

Let the filling cool to lukewarm (about 15 minutes), then pour into the cooled pie shell. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface (to keep a skin from forming). Refrigerate the pie for at least 4 hours before serving.

To make the topping:

Just before serving, make the whipped cream topping: Place the cream and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or, if using a whisk or hand-held mixer, put it in a deep mixing bowl). Beat on medium speed until frothy. Sprinkle in the confectioners’ sugar and beat on medium-high until stiff peaks form (when the whisk is lifted the cream will form a point that doesn’t droop).

Mound the whipped cream in the center of the chilled pie. Use the back of a large spoon or an offset metal spatula to spread it out to the edge and give it a few decorative swirls. If desired, fill a pastry bag fitted with a star tip with half of the whipped cream and pipe a border around the outside of the pie (pipe a ring of the letter “s,” starting a new “s” inside the bottom part of the previous “s” so they interlock). Sprinkle with toasted coconut and serve.

Mixed-Berry Pie

Do you like your berry pies with fresh or cooked berries? Here, you can have it both ways: a jammy filling of cooked blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries, topped with a cloud of whipped cream and a handful of fresh berries for bright color

• 1 recipe Buttery Shortbread Pastry Dough 
• 1 cup fresh blueberries, plus a small handful for garnish
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, plus a small handful for garnish
• 1 cup fresh red raspberries, plus a small handful for garnish
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 Tbs. cornstarch
• Kosher salt
• 2 Tbs. unsalted butter
• 1-1/2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 Tbs. confectioners’ sugar
• 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Shape the dough into a 1-inch-thick disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate to firm a bit, 20 to 30 min. You want the dough to remain pliable enough to roll, but not so soft that it’s sticky and difficult to move once it’s rolled out. Lightly flour a clean surface and your rolling pin. Roll out the dough into a 1/8-inch-thick round. (Run a dough scraper under the dough after every few passes of the rolling pin to prevent sticking, and reflour the surface as necessary.) Lay the rolling pin in the center of the crust, fold the pastry over it, and transfer it to a 9-inch pie pan. Gently press the dough into the pan. Trim the overhang to about 1/2 inch. (You’ll have about 6 ounces of excess dough.) Fold the overhang under to build up the edge of the pastry; crimp to flute the edges. Prick the entire surface, including the sides, with a fork. Cover loosely and refrigerate for half an hour. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 400°F.

Apply a light coating of nonstick cooking spray to one side of a piece of aluminum foil that’s slightly larger than the diameter of the pie pan. Line the pan with the foil, oiled side down, going up and over the edges, and fill with pie weights, raw rice, or dried beans. Set the pie pan on a baking sheet and bake for 20 min. Carefully remove the foil and pie weights and bake until the crust is golden brown, about another 15 min. Transfer the pie crust to a rack and let cool while you make the filling.

Gently rinse the berries and spread them on a paper-towellined baking sheet to dry (keep the berries separate). Hull the strawberries and slice them 1/4 inch thick. Combine the 1 cup blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 2/3 cup water in a medium-size saucepan. Set the pan over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture turns deep purple, thickens, and becomes translucent instead of cloudy looking, 1 to 2 min. once the mixture begins bubbling. Remove from the heat and stir in the 1 cup strawberries, butter, and lemon juice. Sprinkle the 1 cup raspberries over the bottom of the pie crust and pour the filling over the top. Refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours.

Just before serving, whip the cream to medium-firm peaks with the confectioners’ sugar and the vanilla extract and mound on top of the filling. Scatter the remaining berries over the whipped cream for garnish. Serve immediately.

Sour Cream & Potato Sweet Dough

This recipe makes enough dough for one Russian Chocolate Braid, one German Butter Cake, or ten Cinnamon Chrysanthemums; it can be doubled. Be sure to use a food processsor that holds at least 7 cups.

For the dough:

• 8 oz. (1-1/2 cups) plus 3 Tbs. unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. instant yeast (Red Star QuickRise, Saf’s Perfect Rise, Fleischmann’s RapidRise, or bread machine yeast)
• 3 Tbs. water
• 1 very small potato, peeled, boiled, and sieved (to yield 1/4 cup)
• 2 large egg yolks
• 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 3 Tbs. granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. table salt
• 1-1/2 oz. (3 Tbs.) cold unsalted butter

In a large bowl, mix the 3 Tbs. flour with the yeast and then whisk in the water. Let the mixture sit covered until it has begun to puff, 10 to 15 minutes.

Fit a large-capacity food processor with the metal blade. Put the remaining flour in the workbowl and then add the yeast mixture, potato, egg yolks, vanilla, and sour cream. Process the dough for about 1 min. Remove it from the machine and knead it by hand on an unfloured countertop for 1 minute to redistribute the heat. The dough will be very stiff at this point. Continue this alternating kneading: process for 30 seconds and then knead on the counter for about 30 seconds, until the dough is very smooth (this should take 2 to 3 processing rounds).

Put the dough back in the food processor and add the sugar and salt, kneading again in the processor and then on the counter until the sugar has dissolved (the dough will soften considerably and become very sticky; this is fine).

Finally, return the dough to the processor, add the butter, and do another alternating kneading round until the butter is well incorporated and the dough is very soft and smooth, about 1 minute. The dough won’t clean the bowl at this point. It’s all right if it feels quite soft and warm after processing: kneading the dough on the counter will help it cool down and firm up.

Transfer the dough to a container at least four times its volume (no need to grease the container); seal well. (At this point, the dough can instead be rolled in flour and then sealed in a plastic bag and refrigerated for up to 4 days. If you do mix ahead and chill the dough, pull it out of the fridge 3 to 4 hours before baking.) Let the dough ferment at room temperature for about 3 hours or until it’s expanded to 3 times its volume and an indent remains when you press it with a floured finger.

Pear-Cranberry Linzer Tart

Linzer dough is traditionally made with almonds, but the walnuts here are sublime with the fruit. It’s important to mix this dough very well and chill it thoroughly; it’s more like a cookie dough than a pastry dough. The cooked egg yolks give the dough a cakey quality that’s unequalled by any substitute. The raw yolks bind the dough and add extra richness.

For the dough:

• 4 oz. (1 cup) walnuts, lightly toasted
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 8 oz. (1-3/4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp. table salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 hard-cooked egg yolks, crumbled
• 8 oz. (1 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 raw egg yolks
• 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

For the filling:

• 2 lb. ripe pears (preferably Comice or Bosc), peeled, cored, and cut into 1/3-inch slices (about 4 cups)
• 6 Tbs. all-purpose flour
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, picked through and rinsed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

To finish:

• 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 cup heavy cream or whole milk

Make the dough:

In a food processor, grind the walnuts w ith the sugar to a sandy texture. Add the flour, cinnamon, lemon zest, salt, cloves, and crumbled hard-cooked egg yolks. Pulse briefly to combine. Add the butter and pulse until the dough starts to come together and looks clumpy. Add the raw yolks and vanilla and pulse until well combined. The dough will be sticky and moist, more like a cookie dough than a pastry dough. Cut the dough in half (each piece should be about 12-3/4 ounces), set each half on a large piece of plastic, and shape each into a flat disk, using the plastic to help you flatten. Wrap each disk in its plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Assemble the tart:

On a floured work surface, roll each disk of dough into an 11-inch round about 1/4 inch thick. Put one round on a plate and refrigerate, uncovered. Fit the other round into a 9-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. Fold the excess dough into the sides of the pan and press to get an edge flush with the top of the pan, about 1/3 inch thick. Sprinkle 2 Tbs. of the flour on the bottom of the tart and spread to evenly cover. Toss the pears and cranberries with the remaining 1/4 cup flour. Arrange the fruit in the tart shell so that the pears lie as flat as possible and there are some berries showing on top. Scrape any remaining flour over the fruit and sprinkle with the sugar. 

Take the other piece of dough from the refrigerator and cut it into eight 1-inch-wide strips. (I use a ruler and a ravioli cutter or a pastry cutter to get beautiful zigzag-edged strips). Arrange four strips, evenly spaced, over the top of the tart.  Then, on a sharp diagonal to the first four, set the other four strips on top, so that the overlapping layers make diamond shaped windows.  Trim the ends of the strips and press them into the edges of the tart. 

Bake the tart:

Position an oven rack on the bottom rung. Line a heavy rimmed baking sheet with foil and set it on the rack. Heat the oven to 350°F. Whisk the egg yolk with the cream or milk. Brush the tart's lattice top with the egg glaze. Bake on the baking sheet until the pastry is golden brown, 45 min. to 1-1/4 hours. Let cool on a rack for 1 hour and serve slightly warm.

Mandarin Napoleons with Sugared Wonton Wrappers

Don’t limit wonton wrappers to savory dishes. This dish, which makes a fun ending to a Chinese or pan-Asian menu, uses toasted, sweetened wontons as sturdy layers for mandarin orange and cream–filled Napoleons.

• Cooking spray
• 12 wonton wrappers
• 2 Tbs.granulated sugar
• 1 cup sweetened whipped cream
• One 11-oz. can mandarin oranges in light syrup, drained
• 1 Tbs. confectioners’ sugar

Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.


Arrange the wonton wrappers on the sheet and spray them with cooking spray. Sprinkle them evenly with the granulated sugar, then bake until golden brown, about 5 minutes.


Remove from the oven and arrange four of the wontons on a serving platter or individual dessert dishes. Top each one with 2 Tbs. of the whipped cream and then 1/8 of the mandarin sections. Top each with a second wonton wrapper. Repeat the layers (whipped topping, mandarin oranges, wonton wrapper). Sift the confectioners’ sugar over the top layer and serve.

Pear Tarte Tatin with Almond Pastry

Caramelized pears take the place of apples in this classic dessert. The amounts for flour, butter, and nuts are listed by weight (ounces) and by volume (cups and tablespoons); use either measurement.

For the pastry:

• 4-1/4 oz. (1 cup) cake flour
• 4 oz. (8 Tbs.) cold unsalted butter, cut into large pieces
• 1/2 tsp. table salt
• 1 tsp. granulated sugar
• 1-1/4 oz. (1/3 cup lightly packed) ground almonds
• 1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten
• 3 Tbs. heavy cream

For the caramelized pears:

• 3 lb. pears (about 6 large), peeled, halved, and cored
• 1 Tbs. minced fresh ginger tossed with 1 tsp. sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 oz. (2 Tbs.) unsalted butter

Make the pastry:

In a food processor, combine the flour, butter, salt, and sugar. Pulse briefly until the mixture has pea-size lumps and the rest looks like cornmeal. Add the almonds and pulse for just another second. Mound the mixture on a work surface, make a well, and pour the egg yolk and cream into the center. With your fingertips, draw the flour mixture into the well. Continue mixing the ingredients until you have a shaggy dough. Knead the dough just until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Caramelize the pears and bake the tarte:

Cut the pear halves lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Toss them with the ginger-sugar mixture. Heat a 9-inch cast-iron or other heavy-based pan with an ovenproof handle over medium-high heat. Add the sugar and water; swirl the pan to combine. Watch the sugar syrup carefully as it bubbles. When it turns light brown, add the butter and cook, stirring gently with a wooden spoon, until the caramel is an even, deep brown. Remove the pan from the heat and let the caramel cool slightly. Carefully arrange the pear slices in the caramel in a single concentric layer. Top with additional pear slices, continuing the circular pattern until  the pears reach the top of the pan. (They’ll shrink as they cook.) Return the pan to medium-high heat and cook until the pears on the bottom layer are fork-tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly while you roll out the dough.

Heat the oven to 450°F. Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a 10-1/2-inch round and drape it over the pan of pears to cover. (If the dough is still cool, you can pick it up with your hands; otherwise, gently roll the dough onto the rolling pin to move it to the pan.) Fold the excess dough onto itself to form a rough border. Press the crust down onto the pears to compress them slightly.

Lower the oven temperature to 400°F. Bake the tarte until the pastry is crisp and golden brown, about 45 minutes. Let cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Carefully invert the tarte onto a serving plate with a rim to catch the caramel. Pour any caramel that stays in the pan over the tarte.

Pecan Tartlets

This miniaturized version of pecan pie is neither cloyingly sweet nor overly gooey. It’s simply crunchy toasted pecans sprinkled over a mouthwatering brown sugar filling. Since these tarts only require 1/3 of the dough recipe, it's easy to double or triple the tarts, or you can also bake one batch each of Pumpkin Tartlets and Gingery Cranberry-Pear Tartlets.

• 1/3 recipe of Sweet Tartlet Dough
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 Tbs. heavy cream
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 tsp. all-purpose flour
• Pinch salt
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 Tbs. melted unsalted butter
• 3/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 4 oz. (1 cup) broken pecans, lightly toasted in a 325°F oven for 8 to 10 min.

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat the oven to 375°F.

Lightly spray a standard-size 12-cup muffin tin with vegetable oil (not necessary for nonstick tins). Using the score lines as a guide, cut off 12 1-inch pieces of dough (reserve the rest of the dough for another use). Roll each piece into a ball in your palms (lightly flour your hands, if necessary). Put one ball in the center of each muffin cup.

If you have a wooden tart tamper, flour it lightly. Press the wider end onto a ball of dough until the dough thins out and begins coming up the sides of the cup, and then twist the tamper slightly to release it. Use the tamper’s narrower end to push the dough halfway up the sides and to smooth out the dough where the sides meet the bottom. If you don’t have a tart tamper, use a narrow, flat-bottomed glass or your fingers, lightly floured, to press the dough into the cups.

Tilt the muffin tin to see if the dough reaches the same level in all the cups; also check for any holes in the dough (this could cause the tartlet to stick to the pan). Rub your thumb around the rim of the dough in each cup for a clean, smooth edge. Slightly less than 1/2 inch of each cup should be exposed. Chill for at least 10 minutes to firm the dough.

In a medium bowl, blend the eggs and cream. In another bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, and salt. Stir the dry ingredients into the egg mixture, along with the corn syrup and melted butter; don’t overmix. Stir in the vanilla. Transfer the filling to a measuring cup with a spout and pour into the dough-lined muffin cups. Sprinkle the pecans evenly over the tops.

Bake until the pastry is golden brown, 28 to 30 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a thin knife around the tartlets to loosen and then let them cool until they’re firm enough to handle, about another 15 minutes. Using the tip of a small knife, gently lift the tartlets from the pan and set them on a wire rack to cool.

Classic Key Lime Pie

This classic pie includes a flaky pastry crust, billowy whipped-cream topping, and of course a silky, aromatic sweet-tart custard filling. If you can’t find fresh Key limes, you can substitute common lime juice, which will be tart but without the floral notes found in Key limes. Bottled Key lime juice is an even better choice as long as it’s 100% juice. The pie needs to chill for at least 5 hours before serving.

For the crust

• 4-1/2 oz. (1 cup) unbleached all-purpose flour; more as needed
• 1-1/3 oz. (1/3 cup) cake flour
• 1 tsp. granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp. table salt
• 4 oz. (1/2 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces
• 1/4 cup ice-cold water
• 1 tsp. cider vinegar

For the filling and topping

• 4 large egg yolks
• 1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup fresh Key lime juice (from 14 to 16 limes) or bottled Key lime juice (preferably Manhattan brand)
• 1-1/2 cups cold heavy cream
• 1 oz. (1/4 cup) confectioners’ sugar
• 3/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Make the crust

In a food processor, pulse the flours, sugar, and salt to combine. Add the butter and begin cutting it into smaller pieces with four 1-second pulses.

In a small bowl, combine the water and vinegar. While pulsing, gradually add the liquid in a thin stream through the feed tube until the dough forms several large clumps, 20 to 30 pulses. The butter should still be visible in small pieces.

Gather and press the dough into a 1-inch-thick disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Dust a work surface and both sides of the dough lightly with flour. Flatten the dough slightly by tapping it all over with a rolling pin, then roll the dough out into a 12-inch circle. Try to make the circle as even as possible, but don’t be concerned about rough edges.

Roll the dough around the rolling pin and carefully unroll over a 9-inch glass or metal pie plate. Gently press it into the bottom and up the sides of the pan without stretching it. With scissors, trim the overhanging dough to 1/2 inch beyond the rim of the plate. Fold the overhang under and crimp decoratively. Wrap the crust in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F.

Line the crust with aluminum foil and fill with dried beans or pie weights. Put the crust on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until the edge is firm and pale golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and beans. Prick the bottom of the crust all over with a fork. Continue baking until golden-brown, 8 to 12 minutes. (If the pastry puffs up, gently prick it with a toothpick.) Transfer to a wire rack and cool to room temperature.

Fill and bake the pie

Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F.

In a medium bowl, vigorously whisk the egg yolks by hand until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Gently whisk in the sweetened condensed milk until combined, then whisk in the lime juice; the filling will thicken just a bit. Scrape the filling into the crust and spread it evenly.

Bake on a rimmed baking sheet for 20 minutes—the filling will be only partially set. Cool to room temperature on a rack, then refrigerate until the filling is completely set, at least 5 hours.

Top the pie

Chill a metal bowl and the beater(s) of an electric mixer. In the chilled bowl, combine the cream, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla. Beat on medium-high speed to firm peaks. Spoon the cream over the filling, swirling it attractively. Slice and serve.

Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie

Don’t worry if the crust cracks slightly during baking; it only adds to the homemade look of the pie.

For the crust:

• 12 oz. (2-2/3 cups) unbleached all-purpose flour; more for rolling
• 2-1/2 tsp. granulated sugar
• 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 4 oz. (8 Tbs.) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 4 oz. (1/2 cup plus 1 Tbs.) cold vegetable shortening, cut into small pieces

For the filling:

• 4 cups 1/2-inch-thick sliced rhubarb (about 1-1/4 lb.)
• 1 lb. strawberries, hulled and sliced 1/2 inch thick (about 2-1/2 cups)
• 1-1/2 cups plus 2 Tbs. granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup plus 1-1/2 Tbs. quick-cooking tapioca
• 2 Tbs. fresh orange juice
• 1 tsp. finely grated orange zest
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp. ground allspice
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 2 Tbs. cold butter, cut into small pieces

For the glaze:

• 1 large egg yolk

Make the crust:

In a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, and salt, and pulse to combine. Add the butter and shortening and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal, about 1 minute. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl.

Fill a measuring cup with 1/2 cup very cold water. While tossing and stirring the flour mixture with a fork, add the water 1 Tbs. at a time until the dough just begins to come together in small clumps and holds together when you pinch a little between your fingers (you may need only 1/4 cup of water).

Transfer the dough to a clean work surface and gather it together with your hands. Lightly knead the dough once or twice, divide it in half, and shape the halves into disks. Wrap the disks separately in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days.

Prepare the filling:

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 375°F. In a large mixing bowl, combine the rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, all the tapioca, orange juice, zest, cinnamon, clove, allspice, and salt. Toss gently to mix well, and then let sit for at least 10 minutes and up to 30 minutes (while you roll out the bottom crust).

Assemble the pie:

If the dough was refrigerated for several hours or overnight, let it sit at room temperature until pliable, about 20 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one of the dough disks into a 1/8-inch-thick circle, 12 to 13 inches in diameter, and transfer it to a 9-inch Pyrex pie plate. Pour the filling into the pie shell and dot the top with the cold butter. In a small bowl, beat the egg yolk with 1 tsp. water. Brush the edges of the pie shell with some of the egg glaze.

Roll out the second dough disk as above and set it over the fruit filling to form a top crust. Press the edges of the dough together to seal the crust, trim the overhang to 1/2 inch, and fold it under. Flute or crimp the dough all around. Brush the top crust with the remaining egg glaze (you won’t need all of it). Cut four 1- to 1-1/2-inch-long steam vents in the top crust.

Set the pie on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet and bake until the pastry is golden brown and the fruit juices bubble thickly out of the pie, 70 to 80 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely before serving, about 4 hours.

Individual Nectarine Tarts

For this simple-to-make tart, you can use purchased frozen puff pastry if you don't want to make your own.

• 2 sheets (each about 9-1/2x10 inches) prepared puff pastry (Pepperidge Farm works fine), thawed
• 2 lb. ripe nectarines, pitted and cut into 1/8-inch slices
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 4 Tbs. unsalted butter, cut into small bits

Cut each pastry sheet in half lengthwise and then crosswise into quarters. Line two baking sheets with parchment and heat the oven to 425°F.

Roll out each pastry rectangle until it's about 7-1/2x5 inches; don't worry about keeping it a perfect rectangle. Arrange the pastry bases on the baking sheets, and fold up the two long edges of each base to make about a 1/2-inch border. Arrange the sliced fruit down the center of each rectangle, sprinkle with sugar, and dot with butter. Bake in the hot oven until the pastry is deep golden brown on the bottom and the fruit looks slightly browned around the edges, 20 to 30 minutes. Serve warm.

Apple Galette with Ginger Glaze

• 1 sheet (about 9 oz.) frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 2 Granny Smith apples, cored and thinly sliced (no more than 1/8 inch thick)
• (see "How to core an apple quickly" )
• 1 Tbs. unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 2 Tbs. granulated sugar
• 2 Tbs. apricot jam
• 1 Tbs. water
• 1-1/2 Tbs. finely chopped fresh ginger
• Pinch salt

Heat the oven to 425°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to a 13-inch square.

Trim off the corners to make a rough circle -- it doesn't need to be perfect.

Slide the dough circle onto a parchment-lined or nonstick baking sheet. Prick the dough all over. Arrange the apples in neat concentric circles, just barely overlapping the slices, leaving about a 1-inch border of pastry. Dot the apples with the butter and sprinkle with the sugar.

Fold the pastry edges up over the apples to make a 1-inch border. Bake until the dough is medium brown at the edges and underneath and the edges of the apples just begin to brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Slide onto a cooling rack.

As the galette cools, put the jam, water, ginger, and salt in a small saucepan over low heat (or in a glass bowl in the microwave) and heat gently until it just starts to bubble. Stir to blend and remove from the heat. Strain the jam glaze to remove the ginger pieces, or just push the ginger aside. With a pastry brush or a small spoon, lightly glaze the apples and the pastry edge. Serve the galette hot or warm.

Honey-Spice Walnut Tart

• 4 Tbs. unsalted butter, slightly softened
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 Tbs. granulated sugar
• 1-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• Pinch salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup roughly chopped walnuts
• 1 sheet (about 9 oz.) frozen puff pastry, thawed

Heat the oven to 400°F. In a food pro­ces­sor or with a wooden spoon, blend the butter, honey, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and salt until smooth. Add the egg and process or beat just until blended. Add the nuts all at once and process only until blended. The nuts should be chopped, but not so fine that the mixture becomes a smooth paste; you want some crunch left.

Cut the pastry sheet in half to make two strips about 9x4 inches. Roll one strip to 15x6 inches. Prick the entire ­surface of the strip with the tines of a fork. Slide the sheet onto a­ parchment-lined or nonstick baking sheet. Spread the center of the strip with half of the nut mixture, to within 1/2 inch of the long edges and all the way to the edge on the short ends. Fold the bare long edges 1/2 inch over the nut mixture and press firmly to stick; with the blunt edge of a table knife, make indentations into the long edges about 1/2-inch apart to crimp the border a bit. Repeat with the second pastry strip and the rest of the nut mixture.

Bake in the heated oven until the filling looks slightly dry on top and the ­pastry is deep golden brown on the edges and underneath, 19 to 21 minutes. Slide the tarts onto a rack to cool. Cut into four or five strips each and serve slightly warm.

Rhubarb-Sour Cream Crostata

A little bit of cornmeal in the crust adds a nutty note to this rustic spring pie.

For the pastry dough:

• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup finely ground cornmeal
• 1 tsp. light brown sugar
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 2–3 Tbs. cold water

For the filling:

• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 5 cups (1-inch pieces) sliced rhubarb (1 lb.)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest

Make the pastry dough:

Work together the flour, cornmeal, brown sugar, butter, and salt with your hands until it is mostly combined, with some small lumps of butter remaining. Stir in 2 Tbs. of the water with a fork. Press a small handful of dough together: if it looks powdery and does not come together, stir in the remaining 1 Tbs. water. Transfer the dough to a sheet of plastic wrap. Using the edge of the plastic, fold the dough over on itself, pressing until it comes together. Form the dough into a disk, wrap completely in the plastic, and chill for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 425°F, with a rack in the middle.

Fill and bake the crostata:

Spread the sour cream evenly over the bottom of the crust. Toss the
rhubarb with the sugar and lemon zest, then spread the fruit evenly overthe sour cream. Fold the border of dough up and over the edge of the
fruit.

Bake the crostata until the crust is golden, the filling is bubbling,
and the rhubarb has started to brown, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool on a rack
and serve warm or at room temperature.

Lattice-Top Rhubarb Pie

Strawberry and rhubarb are classic pie partners, but rhubarb can fly solo, too. This pie is deliciously fresh, tart, and light.

For the dough:

• 6 oz. (12 Tbs.) cold unsalted butter
• 6-1/2 oz. (1-1/2 cups) bleached all-purpose flour
• 3-1/2 oz. (3/4 cup) cake flour
• 1/4 tsp. table salt
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 4-1/2 oz. (1/2 cup plus 1 Tbs.) cold cream cheese
• 3 Tbs. heavy cream
• 1 Tbs. cider vinegar

For the filling:

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 4 tsp. cornstarch
• 1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest (I use a Microplane grater)
• Pinch table salt
• 4 cups 1/2-inch pieces rhubarb (about 1-1/4 lb.)

For the glaze:

• 2 Tbs. milk
• 1 Tbs. turbinado sugar or granulated sugar

Make the dough:

Cut the butter into 3/4-inch cubes. Wrap them in plastic and freeze until hard, at least 30 minutes. Put the all-purpose flour, cake flour, salt, and baking powder in a metal bowl and freeze for at least 30 minutes.

Put the cold flour mixture in a food processor and process for a few seconds to combine.

Cut the cold cream cheese into three or four pieces and add it to the flour mixture. Process for 20 seconds (the mixture should resemble fine meal). Add the frozen butter cubes and pulse until none of the butter pieces is larger than a pea, about five 3-second pulses. (Toss with a fork to see it better.)

Add the cream and vinegar and pulse in short bursts until the dough starts to come together (which will take a minute or two); the dough will still look crumbly but if you press it between your fingers, it should become smooth. Turn it out onto a clean work surface. Gather and press the dough together to form a unified mass.

Cut the dough in half and put each half on a large piece of plastic wrap. Loosely cover the dough with the plastic. Using the wrap as an aid (to avoid warming the dough with your bare hands), shape one half of the dough into a flat disk and the other into a flat rectangle. Wrap each tightly in the plastic and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes and up to 24 hours.

Roll out the bottom crust:

Remove the disk of dough from the fridge (keep the rectangle refrigerated); if it’s very firm, let it sit at room temperature until it’s pliable enough to roll, 10 to 15 minutes.

Set the dough between two sheets of plastic wrap sprinkled lightly with flour. Roll it out to a 13-inch round that’s 1/8 inch thick, occasionally loosening and reapplying the plastic wrap.

Remove one piece of plastic and flip the dough into a standard metal 9-inch pie pan (it should be 1-1/4 inches deep and hold 4 cups of liquid). Fit the dough into the pan and carefully peel off the plastic. Trim the dough so there’s a 3/4-inch overhang. Fold the overhang underneath itself to create an edge that extends about 1/4 inch beyond the rim of the pie pan. Cover the dough-lined pie plate with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Make the filling and lattice top:

In a medium bowl, stir the sugar, cornstarch, lemon zest, and salt. Add the rhubarb and toss to coat. Let sit until the sugar is fully moistened, about 10 minutes.  

Remove the rectangle of dough from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature until it’s pliable enough to roll, 10 to 15 minutes. Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to an 11x14-inch or larger rectangle (if it becomes an oval, that’s fine); it should be no more than 1/8 inch thick.

Cut ten 3/4-inch-wide strips lengthwise down the rectangle, using a ruler to measure and mark 3/4-inch intervals and to cut a straight edge. If you want a crimped edge on the strips, use a fluted pastry wheel.

Stir the rhubarb filling a few times and scrape it into the pie shell. Arrange five strips of dough evenly over the filling, starting with a long strip over the center. Gently fold back every other strip (the second and the fourth) to a little past the center. Choose another long strip of dough, hold it perpendicular to the other strips, and set across the center of the pie.

Unfold the two folded strips so they lie flat on top of the perpendicular strip.  Now fold back the strips that weren't folded back last time (the first, third, and fifth ones).

Lay a second perpendicular strip of dough about 3/4 inch away from the last one.  Unfold the three folded strips. Fold back the original two strips, set a third perpendicular strip of dough 3/4 inch from the last one, and unfold the two strips.

Repeat on the other side with the two remaining strips: fold back alternating strips, lay a strip of dough on top, and unfold. Remember to alternate the strips that are folded back to create a woven effect. Trim the strips to a 1/2-inch overhang. Moisten the underside of each one with water and tuck it under the bottom crust, pressing to make it adhere. Crimp or flute the edges, if you like.

Bake the pie and let it cool:

Lightly cover the assembled pie with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. After 30 minutes of chilling, set an oven rack on the lowest rung and put a foil-lined baking stone or baking sheet on it. Heat the oven to 425°F.

When the pie has chilled for 1 hour, brush the lattice with the milk and sprinkle on the sugar.

Set the pie directly on the baking stone or sheet. Bake until the juices are bubbling all over (the bubbles should be thick and slow near the pan edges), 40 to 50 minutes. After the first 15 minutes, cover the rim with foil or a pie shield. If the lattice starts to darken too much in the last 10 minutes of baking, cover it loosely with a piece of foil that has a vent hole poked in the center.

Let the pie cool on a rack until the juices have thickened, 1 hour.

Multi-Purpose Baking Mix

This wonderful make-ahead baking mix can be used for all kinds of yummy things, such as Herbed Cheese Buttermilk Biscuits, Blueberry Scones, Shortcake Biscuits, and Fruit Cobbler. You can make up to twelve times this recipe, but store each batch in a separate bag in the fridge (for up to a week) or in the freezer (for up to six months). Frozen mix should sit at room temperature until the butter is pliable, about 5 minutes.

• 13-1/2 oz. (3 cups) all-purpose flour
• 1 Tbs. sugar
• 1 Tbs. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 6 oz. (12 Tbs.) cold unsalted butter, cut in small pieces

In a large bowl, stir the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cut or massage the butter into the flour with a fork, a pastry cutter, or your fingers until the mixture looks like cornmeal and the biggest pieces of butter are the size of large peas. (You can also do this in a food processor; just be sure not to overmix.) Proceed with Herbed Cheese Buttermilk Biscuits, Blueberry Scones, Shortcake Biscuits, or Fruit Cobbler, or refrigerate or freeze the mixture until ready to use.

Buttermilk Pie

A light-as-air pie that’s full of flavor. The browned top adds a toasty, caramelized note to the lemony buttermilk filling.  

• 6 Tbs. unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs, separated
• 3 Tbs. all-purpose flour
• 1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
• 1 baked pie shell 

Heat the oven to 350°F. In a mixer, combine the butter and sugar until the sugar is completely incorporated. Add the egg yolks and mix well to combine. Add the flour, lemon juice, nutmeg, and salt. With the mixer running, slowly add the buttermilk. In another bowl, whip the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Pour a little of the buttermilk mixture into the whites; fold gently to combine. Gently fold the egg white mixture into the remaining buttermilk mixture until just combined. Pour the custard into the baked pie shell. Bake in the middle of the oven until the filling is lightly browned and barely moves when the pie is jiggled, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool on a rack and serve warm or at room temperature. Refrigerate leftovers.

Classic Key Lime Pie

This classic pie includes a flaky pastry crust, billowy whipped-cream topping, and of course a silky, aromatic sweet-tart custard filling. If you can’t find fresh Key limes, you can substitute common lime juice, which will be tart but without the floral notes found in Key limes. Bottled Key lime juice is an even better choice as long as it’s 100% juice. The pie needs to chill for at least 5 hours before serving.

For the crust

• 4-1/2 oz. (1 cup) unbleached all-purpose flour; more as needed
• 1-1/3 oz. (1/3 cup) cake flour
• 1 tsp. granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp. table salt
• 4 oz. (1/2 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces
• 1/4 cup ice-cold water
• 1 tsp. cider vinegar

For the filling and topping

• 4 large egg yolks
• 1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup fresh Key lime juice (from 14 to 16 limes) or bottled Key lime juice (preferably Manhattan brand)
• 1-1/2 cups cold heavy cream
• 1 oz. (1/4 cup) confectioners’ sugar
• 3/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Make the crust

In a food processor, pulse the flours, sugar, and salt to combine. Add the butter and begin cutting it into smaller pieces with four 1-second pulses.

In a small bowl, combine the water and vinegar. While pulsing, gradually add the liquid in a thin stream through the feed tube until the dough forms several large clumps, 20 to 30 pulses. The butter should still be visible in small pieces.

Gather and press the dough into a 1-inch-thick disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Dust a work surface and both sides of the dough lightly with flour. Flatten the dough slightly by tapping it all over with a rolling pin, then roll the dough out into a 12-inch circle. Try to make the circle as even as possible, but don’t be concerned about rough edges.

Roll the dough around the rolling pin and carefully unroll over a 9-inch glass or metal pie plate. Gently press it into the bottom and up the sides of the pan without stretching it. With scissors, trim the overhanging dough to 1/2 inch beyond the rim of the plate. Fold the overhang under and crimp decoratively. Wrap the crust in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F.

Line the crust with aluminum foil and fill with dried beans or pie weights. Put the crust on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until the edge is firm and pale golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and beans. Prick the bottom of the crust all over with a fork. Continue baking until golden-brown, 8 to 12 minutes. (If the pastry puffs up, gently prick it with a toothpick.) Transfer to a wire rack and cool to room temperature.

Fill and bake the pie

Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F.

In a medium bowl, vigorously whisk the egg yolks by hand until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Gently whisk in the sweetened condensed milk until combined, then whisk in the lime juice; the filling will thicken just a bit. Scrape the filling into the crust and spread it evenly.

Bake on a rimmed baking sheet for 20 minutes—the filling will be only partially set. Cool to room temperature on a rack, then refrigerate until the filling is completely set, at least 5 hours.

Top the pie

Chill a metal bowl and the beater(s) of an electric mixer. In the chilled bowl, combine the cream, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla. Beat on medium-high speed to firm peaks. Spoon the cream over the filling, swirling it attractively. Slice and serve.

Old-Time Chocolate Meringue Pie

For the crust:

• 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp. table salt
• 1/2 cup chilled vegetable shortening
• 3 Tbs. ice-cold heavy cream or evaporated milk, more or less as needed

For the filling:

• 3 large egg yolks
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• One 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

For the meringue:

• 3 large egg whites
• 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup sugar

Make and prebake the crust:

Sift the flour, sugar, and salt together in a medium-size to large bowl. Using a pastry blender, a big serving fork, or the tips of your fingers, cut in or pinch or squeeze the shortening until the mixture resembles a bowl of sweet peas. Tossing the mixture quickly and lightly with a fork, sprinkle in the cream or milk 1 tablespoon at a time. (It's better to err on the side of not having enough liquid than to have too much; you don't want a soupy crust.) Continue tossing until the dough holds together when lightly pressed.

With lightly floured hands, loosely gather up the dough into a flat ball, place it in a bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until you are ready to roll out the crust. I try to chill at least 30 minutes but not too much longer than overnight.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the ball of dough into a 12-inch circle about 1/8 inch thick. Place a 9-inch pie plate upside down on top of the rolled-out dough. Using a small knife, cut around the plate, leaving a 1-inch border of dough around the plate. Remove the plate. Fold one side of the crust over in half. Fold the crust into quarters. Pick up the crust so that the center point is positioned in the center of the plate. Unfold the dough and press it firmly into the pie plate.

Trim all excess dough from the edge, except for a 1/2-inch flap of dough around the edge. Tuck the extra flap of dough under itself so it rests on the rim of the pie plate, and then crimp or flute the edge all the way around the pie, and refrigerate the crust for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the oven to 425°F.

Line the crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans so the dough doesn't puff up as it bakes. Bake until the top edges start to turn light brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the paper and pie weights, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F, and continue baking until the crust is comepletely golden brown, another 10 minutes. Let it cool completely on a wire rack.

Make the filling:

Beat the yolks until well blended, then set aside. Heat the butter in a medium-size saucepan over low heat until it melts. Add the cocoa, condensed milk, and water and stir constantly with a large spoon or a wire whisk until smooth. Stir in the yolks and the vanilla until smooth and thickened. Remove from the heat. Beat out any lumps that might have formed. Pour the filling into the pie crust.

Make the meringue:

Heat the oven to 350°F. Combine the egg whites, cream of tartar, and vanilla in a medium-size bowl and beat with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add the sugar 1 Tbs. at a time and continue beating until shiny, stiff peaks form and all of the sugar has dissolved. Mound in the center of the pie, then spread it evenly around the edge of the inner crust, sealing the meringue to the crust. Use a spoon to create a design of peaks and valleys all over the meringue. Bake until the meringue is golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

Gingery Cranberry-Pear Tartlets

Crystallized ginger accents this filling with sweet pears and tart cranberries. Since these tarts only require 1/3 of the dough recipe, it's easy to double or triple the tarts, or you can also bake one batch each of Pecan Tartlets and Pumpkin Tartlets.

• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 2 medium, slightly underripe pears (I like Anjou), about 3/4 lb. total, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
• 1/3 cup golden raisins
• A few drops pure vanilla extract
• 4 tsp. minced crystallized ginger
• 1/3 recipe of Sweet Tartlet Dough

In a 3-qt. saucepan, cook the cranberries, sugar, and orange juice over medium heat just until the berries begin to pop. Reduce the heat to a simmer, partially cover, and cook for 5 minutes. Add the pears, raisins, and ginger. Cook over low heat with the lid askew until the pears are translucent, stirring gently if necessary, 10 to 12 minutes. Uncover and continue cooking until the liquid is syrupy and has reduced to about 2 Tbs., about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and gently stir in the vanilla (avoid crushing the pears). Let cool to room temperature; the mixture thickens as it stands.

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat the oven to 375°F.

Lightly spray a standard-size 12-cup muffin tin with vegetable oil (not necessary for nonstick tins). Using the score lines as a guide, cut off 12 1-inch pieces of dough (reserve the rest of the dough for another use). Roll each piece into a ball in your palms (lightly flour your hands, if necessary). Put one ball in the center of each muffin cup.

If you have a wooden tart tamper, flour it lightly. Press the wider end onto a ball of dough until the dough thins out and begins coming up the sides of the cup, and then twist the tamper slightly to release it. Use the tamper’s narrower end to push the dough halfway up the sides and to smooth out the dough where the sides meet the bottom. If you don’t have a tart tamper, use a narrow, flat-bottomed glass or your fingers, lightly floured, to press the dough into the cups.

Tilt the muffin tin to see if the dough reaches the same level in all the cups; also check for any holes in the dough (this could cause the tartlet to stick to the pan). Rub your thumb around the rim of the dough in each cup for a clean, smooth edge. Slightly less than 1/2 inch of each cup should be exposed. Chill for at least 10 minutes to firm the dough.

Spoon the cooled filling into the dough-lined muffin cups. Bake until the pastry is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Let the pan cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a thin knife around the tartlets to loosen and then let them cool until they’re firm enough to handle, about another 15 minutes. Using the tip of a small knife, gently lift the tartlets from the pan and set them on a wire rack to cool.