Festive Vegan Cranberry Walnut Tart: The Perfect Less-Sweet Holiday Dessert

há 3 semanas

Craving a delicious holiday dessert that's bursting with flavor but not overwhelmingly sweet? This Festive Vegan Cranberry Walnut Tart is your answer! If you're someone who loves the nutty, caramel notes of pecan pie but finds it a bit too rich, this recipe is crafted just for you. It offers a beautiful balance, making it an ideal choice for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive gathering.

This tart features a delightful, flaky crust enveloping a rich, maple-infused nut filling, beautifully punctuated by vibrant, ruby-red cranberries. Their natural tartness cuts through the sweetness, creating a perfectly harmonious bite. It's a wonderful dairy-free and egg-free dessert that promises to be a crowd-pleaser, proving that vegan holiday baking can be both simple and spectacularly delicious.

A perfectly baked vegan cranberry walnut tart, showcasing its golden-brown crust, jewel-toned cranberries, and toasted walnuts, ready for a festive table.

Ingredients

For the Tart Crust

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup cold vegan butter, cubed (or chilled solid coconut oil)
4-6 tablespoons ice water

For the Cranberry Walnut Filling

½ cup maple syrup
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup melted vegan butter or coconut oil
1 tablespoon cornstarch (or 1 flax egg: 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, whisked and let sit 5 mins)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup chopped walnuts

Equipment

9-inch tart pan with removable bottom
Large mixing bowls
Whisk
Rolling pin
Measuring cups and spoons

Instructions

Prepare the Crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Cut in the cold vegan butter (or coconut oil) using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix. Form into a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat Oven & Roll Dough: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer the dough to your 9-inch tart pan, pressing it gently into the bottom and up the sides. Trim any excess dough. You can crimp the edges for a decorative finish.
Blind Bake the Crust (Optional, but recommended for crispiness): Line the tart crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove the weights and parchment paper, then return to the oven for another 5 minutes to dry out the bottom.
Prepare the Filling: While the crust is baking, whisk together the maple syrup, brown sugar, melted vegan butter (or coconut oil), cornstarch (or flax egg), vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until well combined. Stir in the cranberries and walnuts.
Assemble and Bake: Pour the filling into the pre-baked tart crust, spreading it evenly.
Bake the Tart: Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. The cranberries might burst and the top will look slightly caramelized.
Cool: Let the tart cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to fully set.

Tips for Success

Achieving a Flaky Crust: Ensure your vegan butter or coconut oil is very cold. This creates steam during baking, leading to a perfectly flaky crust. Avoid overworking the dough, as this can make it tough.
Preventing a Soggy Bottom: Blind baking the crust (as detailed in step 3) is key to a crisp bottom, especially with a moist filling like this.
Perfect Tartness: If you love a stronger tart kick, you can increase the amount of cranberries by ¼ to ½ cup. For less tartness, slightly reduce the cranberries.

Variations

Gluten-Free Option: Easily make this tart gluten-free by using a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the crust.
Nut-Free Alternative: For a nut-free version, replace the walnuts with an equal amount of toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
Mixed Berry Tart: Experiment with other berries! Blueberries, raspberries, or a mix of berries can be used in place of or in combination with cranberries.
Spiced Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the filling for an extra layer of warm, festive flavor.

This festive tart is not just a dessert; it's a celebration of balanced flavors and joyful gatherings. We hope you enjoy this less-sweet, delightful creation!

Ready to bake? Try this delicious Vegan Cranberry Walnut Tart and share your festive creations with the abillion community!