How to Create a Rich Hazelnut Praline Tart: A Step-by-Step Guide

Craving something sweet, nutty, and absolutely divine? Give your taste buds a treat with a homemade Hazelnut Praline Tart. Combining a buttery crust, silky praline filling, and the crunchy goodness of hazelnuts, this dessert is the epitome of indulgence. Below, we’ve broken down the process into simple, easy-to-follow steps to help you create this luxurious treat right in your own kitchen. Let’s begin!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

For the Pastry:

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into pieces
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons ice water

For the Hazelnut Praline Filling:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups whole hazelnuts (toasted and skins removed)
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• A pinch of salt

Step 1: Prepare the Pastry

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
2. Incorporate Butter: Add the chilled, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
3. Bind the Dough: Mix the egg yolk and ice water in a small bowl. Drizzle this over the flour mixture, stirring just until the dough starts to come together. If the dough seems dry, add a bit more ice water, one teaspoon at a time.
4. Form and Chill: Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate for at least one hour. This resting period makes the dough easier to roll out and prevents it from shrinking during baking.

Step 2: Bake the Tart Shell

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roll the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a circle, about 12 inches in diameter. Carefully transfer it to a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough into the pan and trim any excess.
3. Blind Bake: Prick the bottom of the dough with a fork. Line the tart shell with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the weights and parchment, and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until golden.
4. Cool: Let the tart shell cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Step 3: Make the Hazelnut Praline Filling

1. Create Praline: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the sugar and water over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat and cook without stirring until the mixture turns a deep amber color. Quickly stir in the hazelnuts, then pour the mixture onto a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Allow it to cool and harden completely.
2. Crush Praline: Once hardened, break the praline into chunks and pulse in a food processor until coarsely ground.
3. Make Filling: In the same saucepan, warm the heavy cream, butter, and a pinch of salt over low heat. Add the crushed praline and stir until smooth.

Step 4: Assemble and Chill

1. Fill Tart Shell: Pour the warm praline filling into the cooled tart shell. Use a spatula to spread it evenly.
2. Chill: Refrigerate the tart for at least 2 hours, or until the filling is set.

Step 5: Final Touches

1. Decorate (Optional): For an extra touch of elegance, you can top the tart with toasted hazelnut halves or a drizzle of melted chocolate.
2. Serve: Remove the tart from the refrigerator 10 minutes before serving. This slight rest makes cutting into this luxurious dessert easier.

Enjoy Your Creation

Your Hazelnut Praline Tart is ready to impress! Whether it’s for a special occasion or a delightful end to a cozy dinner, this tart’s layers of crunchy, creamy, and nutty textures, combined with its rich flavor, promise to satisfy any dessert lover’s dream. Enjoy the sweet reward of your baking prowess and don’t forget to share (or not)!

As with any recipe, the key to perfection is practice. So even if this is your first tart or your hundredth, each one will be a testament to your baking journey. Happy baking!