Michel's Basic Tart Crust

Name: Michel's Basic Tart Crust
Ingredients: 8 tablespoons (1 stick) room-temperature unsalted butter, chopped, plus more for buttering tart pan; 1 pinch salt; 2 tablespoons sugar; 0.25 cup half-and-half; 1.25 cups pastry flour

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By

Martha Stewart Test Kitchen

Updated on September 28, 2016

Yield:

1 10-inch crust

This crust is the foundation for Michel Richard's Raisin Tart with Hot Buttered Rum Sauce.

Ingredients

8 tablespoons (1 stick) room-temperature unsalted butter, chopped, plus more for buttering tart pan
1 pinch salt
2 tablespoons sugar
¼ cup half-and-half
1 ¼ cups pastry flour

Directions

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter. Beat in salt and sugar. Stir in half-and-half and 1/4 cup flour. Add the remaining flour, mixing with your fingertips or a fork until the ingredients are combined. Turn the dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap, and shape into a flat disk. Wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. (This can be prepared a day ahead.)
Butter a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Roll the dough out between two large sheets of plastic wrap into an 11-inch circle. Remove the top sheet of plastic. Invert dough into the prepared pan, and remove the remaining plastic. Trim and finish the edges. Cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line the tart with parchment paper or aluminum foil, and fill with beans or pie weights. Bake until the crust is firm and set, about 20 minutes. Remove the beans and paper. Prick the bottom of the crust so it does not puff. Continue baking until well browned, 10 to 15 minutes.