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Bourbon & Butterscotch Nut Tart -Assorted nuts are coated in a smooth, creamy butterscotch sauce with just a hint of bourbon then baked in a delicious pecan shortbread crust.
I glanced at the calendar and suddenly realized today is my 5-year blog anniversary (a/k/a blog-iversary). I can’t believe it’s been five years and I’m still consumed with a desire to do more. It started out as a hobby, a way to document my favorite recipes, and to learn how to use a camera. Don’t look too far back – I’m embarrassed at some of the stuff I posted in the early years, but it’s a history and that’s something we cannot change. At this point blogging is more than a hobby, it’s a passion. So … since it’s a special day here at SRFD, do I get to make a wish? Maybe I shouldn’t tell you what I wished for or it won’t come true – but if it does you’ll be the first to know!
Do you have a favorite nut? Do you crave butterscotch and enjoy a little bourbon on the side? Look no further, this is the dessert for you! This has been in my head for months … I could see it, smell it, and taste it, and couldn’t rest until I put it on the table.
It’s just a coincidence I posted a butterscotch recipe and a soup recipe last week, then again this week. But this one has nuts, lots and lots of nuts. Walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, cashews and pistachios. These are my favorites but you can mix it up with as many or as few as you like. Each bite is a little different but all are covered in a smooth, creamy butterscotch sauce that takes minutes to make.
The simple tart crust can be made ahead and comes together easily in a food processor. Serve at room temperature for the best texture.
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- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup ground toasted pecans
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 cups assorted unsalted nuts, pistachios, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, cashews
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/3 cup light corn syrup
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon bourbon or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- To make the crust: Add the flour, salt, sugars and pecans to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to blend. Add the butter and process until a soft dough starts to form. Do not over mix.
- Spray the bottom and sides of a 14” x 5” tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough evenly into the sides and bottom of the pan. Freeze the tart crust for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Prick the bottom of the tart with a fork. Line the tart with a piece of parchment paper and lightly fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the crust starts to set. Remove the parchment and beans and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- To make the tart: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Melt the butter in a large heavy-bottom saucepan. Add the sugars, salt, water and corn syrup. Heat over medium-high stirring constantly until the sugars dissolve. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Once the mixture thickens and creates slow thick bubbles, remove from the heat. Whisk in the cream and vanilla, taking care as the mixture may sputter.
- Gently stir in the nuts and pour the mixture into the prepared tart pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the filling bubbles. Cool completely on a rack. Serve at room temperature.
- Double the sauce recipe and refrigerate half for other uses. Great drizzled on ice cream, apple pie or brownies.
- Top with a sprinkle of fine sea salt if desired.
- Serve with a dollop of lightly sweet whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream
- Butterscotch sauce recipe inspired by a recipe on Fine Cooking
This blog wouldn’t be any fun without you. Thank you so much for your faithful visits, encouragement, comments, pins and shares. I love hearing about the recipes you’ve tried and welcome your feedback. If you’re new to Saving Room for Dessert, please join us by signing up for email notifications of new posts, follow along on Pinterest and check out our Facebook page. We promise to keep the recipes fresh and new, some healthy and a few indulgent, but mostly fun and simply delicious!
Thank you so much for stopping by and thank you for sharing part of your busy day with me. You are the best virtual friends in the whole world!
Tricia
Pam says
October 11, 2015 at 9:46 amForgot to say- Happy Blogiversary! Kudos to you, you have a great blog!
Tricia Buice says
October 11, 2015 at 6:23 pmThank you!!!
Pam says
October 11, 2015 at 9:42 amOh my gosh, this is over-the-top goodness, Tricia! I love all those flavors, everything is better with a little bourbon! 🙂 I need to find that tart pan soon! Thanks for the recipe!
Tricia Buice says
October 11, 2015 at 6:23 pmI could not agree more Pam – bourbon and anything caramel is perfect – this dessert is no exception! Hope you will give it a try sometime – you won’t be sorry 🙂
Mary says
October 11, 2015 at 9:10 amFive years of blogging is huge, Tricia! Congratulations!! I’m so glad I’ve gotten to know you through this awesome world of blogging. As always, your photos make me wish once again that we were neighbors. It would be so much fun to sit down and share this tart with you and Sue.
Tricia Buice says
October 11, 2015 at 6:22 pmThank you so much Mary – you are such a dear sweet person – I am thrilled to be your friend 🙂 I talk about you all the time – your great recipes, what a great mother you are, the amazing work you do for those in need and the food bags you give to the homeless. It’s all a wonderful testament to the fabulous person you are. We would be such great neighbors! Thanks for commenting and stopping by!
Wendy says
October 10, 2015 at 5:02 pmCongratulations, Tricia, for 5 years of delicious recipes, wanderlust inducing travel logs, beautiful photos, and virtual friendship. Whatever your wish might be, I hope it comes true!
I for one, am delighted that you posted another butterscotch recipe last week. That pie is on our Thanksgiving menu already! Though I can’t make or eat this stunning tart (some nuts make me allergic if I am just in the same room!), I am thinking more than a little about the bourbon-butterscotch combo. Maybe a little bourbon into the butterscotch pie? or into the whipped cream on top? I’ll let you know. 🙂
Tricia Buice says
October 10, 2015 at 5:59 pmThank you so much Wendy! I am thrilled your going to make the pie and yes – absolutely put bourbon in the whipped cream – that sounds perfect! Have a wonderful week 🙂
Susan says
October 10, 2015 at 1:54 pmI am a nut lover! I can easily have a small handful of pecans or walnuts for a light lunch along with an apple or pear. I feel sorry for those who have nut allergies or digestive issues that preclude nuts. This tart looks like a nut-lovers’ dream dessert, Tricia. I think you picked the best nuts for this amazing tart!
Tricia Buice says
October 10, 2015 at 2:15 pmYou are so right Susan – I can’t imagine life without nuts – for lunch or as part of the family – nuts are amazing! Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Thanks for stopping by!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
October 9, 2015 at 11:06 amI’m late to the party, but happy blogiversary, Tricia!!!! Here’s to many, many more. This tart is perfection 🙂
Tricia Buice says
October 10, 2015 at 7:41 pmYou’re never late Jennifer – always perfect timing 🙂 Thank you so much – I guess you know what I’m wishing!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
October 9, 2015 at 8:12 amJust look at that pile of nuts! This desert made my day. There are not enough nutty desserts in this world.
Tricia Buice says
October 10, 2015 at 7:42 pmWhat a wonderful thing to say Erin – I agree. We live in a nutty world – lots and lots of nuts is always a good idea 🙂
June @ How to Philosophize with Cake says
October 9, 2015 at 6:40 amWow that looks like an amazingly rich tart! I seriously do not use butterscotch enough, it is such a great flavor. Imagine it works well in here! 😀
Tricia Buice says
October 10, 2015 at 7:43 pmThanks June – there is just enough butterscotch to hold the nuts together and the flavor combination is wonderful!
Kennedy Cole| KCole's Creative Corner says
October 8, 2015 at 7:10 pm5 years? Congrats! That’s quite the accomplishment! I’m already almost to half a year of blogging. It just goes by so quickly! And what a great tart to celebrate! I’ve always been a fan of butterscotch, and it’s perfection on this tart! Thanks for sharing! Pinned! 😀
Tricia Buice says
October 10, 2015 at 7:43 pmYou’ll be celebrating 5 years before you know it Kennedy. And … you hit the ground running! Have a great week 🙂
Becky Green says
October 8, 2015 at 2:51 pmAhhh, I am SO LATE in getting here, sorry Tricia! This dessert looks HEAVENLY! I LOOOVE all the colors of the nuts! If I start snacking on nuts, I have a hard time putting them down! LOL This looks SO FESTIVE & YUMMY!!! PERFECT for this time of year!!!!!!!!!!! 😉 HAPPY BLOGAVERSARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😉
Tricia Buice says
October 10, 2015 at 7:44 pmYou are not late – thank you so much for stopping by Becky – you are such a sweet soul! Love nuts too 🙂
[email protected]'s Recipes says
October 8, 2015 at 12:21 amHappy Blog Anniversary, Tricia! The tart looks splendid. I love it’s loaded with NUTS.
Tricia Buice says
October 8, 2015 at 7:23 amThanks so much Angie!
Chris Scheuer says
October 7, 2015 at 10:20 pmTricia, this is truly a masterpiece! Bourbon and butterscotch sound like a match made in heaven. Only you could make a bunch of nuts look so gorgeous! It’s perfect for celebrating a milestone anniversary. I’m so happy you started blogging and have loved getting to know you and seeing your blog thrive. You have so many gifts and they are truly being used right here in the wonderful place you’ve created! Wishing you many more years to come!
Tricia Buice says
October 8, 2015 at 7:24 amThank you so much for the sweet note Chris 🙂 You are an inspiration and an all around lovely person!
Abbe @ This is How I Cook says
October 7, 2015 at 9:08 pmWow Tricia- 5 years?! I appreciate all the work you put into your blog. It is truly gorgeous, as is this tart. Nuts and butterscotch and bourbon-I don’t know what’s more incredible- this tart or 5 years! Here’s to 5 more!
Tricia Buice says
October 8, 2015 at 7:25 amThank you Abbe! The nuts and bourbon and butterscotch are all so happy together – a perfect marriage!
2 Sisters Recipes says
October 7, 2015 at 7:58 pmWow, this nutty tart looks amazing! Congrats on 5 years! We too feel the same way about blogging and it’s been about 4 years for us. Make a wish! 🙂 Have a great week Tricia!
Tricia Buice says
October 8, 2015 at 7:26 amLet’s celebrate 2 Sisters too! I love how we have all stuck together and grown and shared our very best. Take care and thank you very, very much!
cheri says
October 7, 2015 at 4:49 pmHappy Blog-anniversary!!! wow, 5 years….way to go. Beautiful nut tart Tricia! can you tell me a little about the pan you used, it is very nice. Thanks!
Tricia Buice says
October 7, 2015 at 5:15 pmHey Cheri 🙂 Hope you are doing great. The pan is a 14×5 inch tart pan with a removable bottom. I went to all my local chair kitchenware stores and never found one like this. I finally went to the upscale kitchen store downtown (Fredericksburg) and found it – for only $10. If you don’t want to drive all over town looking for it, I recommend looking at Amazon as they have several. This is a non-stick fluted tart / quiche pan made by Fox Run. Never heard of them before but for the price, I was thrilled! Slicing this nutty tart in thin small pieces was the way to go as it is a bit chunky, as you can see. I hope you give it a try. Thanks so much for stopping by and for commenting 🙂
Monique says
October 7, 2015 at 3:37 pmKudos on the 5 yrs..and my story is the same:)Started because a convincing friend told me I should..I thought I had nothing to say..and the years came and went..
THis is a goorgeous tart! I am in charge of desserts this TG weekend..and one of them is achocolate pecan tart..an oldie..sweetie..but goodie..not aure I would not have made yours instead..
Pistachios..Cashews..are my faves..
Have never tried Bourbon..!
Tricia Buice says
October 7, 2015 at 5:10 pmThanks Monique! Never tried bourbon ever – or in a tart? This would be just perfect with vanilla instead – so feel free to adapt to your tastes. Bourbon is such an American/Southern thing – and I am a girl that was raised in the south. Bourbon and butterscotch and nuts just sounded great together and it is! Enjoy your week!
John/Kitchen Riffs says
October 7, 2015 at 1:24 pmI’ve been on vacation, so I’m eager to catch up with what you’ve been doing. Bur first, happy 5 years! Time flies, doesn’t it? I shudder when I look at my early photos! This tart is amazing — love the flavors. But anything with bourbon in it speaks to me. 😉 Thanks for this.
Tricia Buice says
October 7, 2015 at 5:08 pmWe have missed you and Mrs. Riffs – so welcome back John! I hope you went somewhere fabulous and wonderful and maybe you’ll tell us all about it. Feel free to increase the bourbon in this tart – I am sure it will be fine!
Jennifer | Bake or Break says
October 7, 2015 at 12:38 pmThis tart is absolutely gorgeous! I love my long tart pan, but don’t use it nearly often enough. Happy blog birthday!
Tricia Buice says
October 7, 2015 at 5:07 pmThank you Jennifer – and thanks for visiting! I love this little pan – and it was perfect for this pile-o-nuts 🙂
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
October 7, 2015 at 10:35 amThis is so creative — and so perfect for fall! I love the long tart pan, too, I need to find one. But most importantly, congratulations on 5 amazing years, I’ve followed you from the beginning and you’ve always been an inspiration — here’s to 5 more years and a full time blogging career!!
Tricia Buice says
October 7, 2015 at 5:07 pmThanks Sue – I am so happy to have gotten to know you and hope one day we will meeting in person! Thanks so much 🙂
Monica says
October 7, 2015 at 8:32 amHi Tricia – Happy 5 whole years of blogging! I am so happy to have been an audience to your beautiful kitchen creations and I’m glad you want to continue to do more so I’ll get to be a beneficiary. : ) It is always a pleasure to see your beautiful food – everything is always made with such a meticulous, professional hand. You truly inspire me! And you’ve stolen my heart with this celebratory tart. The nuts! I love all the overflow of nuts – and the bourbon, butterscotch, and buttery flavors of everything else together is to die for. It’s another great creation!
Tricia Buice says
October 7, 2015 at 5:06 pmYou are the sweetest Monica! This is a very good tart – hope you will give it a try when you’re feeling nutty 🙂