McCall's Grenoble Tart (Walnut Tart)

This was published in the late 70's in McCall's Cooking School section of the monthly magazine. It is wonderful! The magazine had instructions with pictures so it was easy to follow. I have the torn out page but it needs to be written down for better keeping. It makes one 9-inch tart or 16 tartlets.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1⁄3 cup butter (For the tart shell)
• 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 1  egg yolk
• 1  cup unsifted all-purpose flour
• 2  cups  coarsely chopped walnuts (For The Filling)
• 2⁄3 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1⁄4 cup butter
• 1⁄4 cup dark corn syrup
• 1⁄2 cup heavy cream (divided)
• 1  tablespoon sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Make the tart shell: In a medium bowl, with wooden spoon or electric mixer, beat 1/3 cup butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolk; beat well. Gradually beat in flour just until blended (mixture will be crumbly).
2. With hands, form dough into a ball. Press evenly into the bottom and side of a 9-inch fluted tart pan with removable bottom. Bake in center of oven 12 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool on wire rack.
3. Make Filling: Spread nuts on cookie sheet in single layer. Bake in 375* F oven for 5 minutes, set aside to cool. Sprinkle walnuts in bottom of tart shell. In heavy 2-qt saucepan, stir sugar with butter, corn syrup and 2 Tablespoons heavy cream. Stirring constantly, bring to boiling over medium heat; boil 1 minute. Pour over walnuts.
4. Bake in center of 375* oven 10 minutes or just until mixture is bubbly. Place on a wire rack to cool. Meanwhile beat remaining cream, 1 Tablespoon sugar and vanilla just until stiff. Refrigerate whipped cream until serving. Serve tart at room temperature with bowl of whipped cream.
5. TO MAKE TARTLETS INSTEAD: Divide pastry into 16 pieces. With fingers, press evenly into 16 (2 1/2-inch) tart pans. Bake on cookie sheet(s) at 375* for 8 to 10 minutes; cool. Divide 1 cup finely chopped nuts into shells placed on cookie sheets. Pour filling into shells, dividing evenly. Bake 8 minutes, or just until filling is bubbly. Remove tarts from cookie sheets; cool on wire rack. To serve: With tip of sharp knife, loosen edge of pastry from each tart pan. Lift out gently to serving plate. Serve with chilled whipped cream. Makes 16 servings.