Tag Archives: pecans

Maple Pecan Tart 

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“Pee-can” or “Puh-kahn”, no matter how you pronounce it, pecan is a very delicious and nutritious nut ! It’s high in fibre, healthy fats, magnesium and many other vitamins and minerals. It contains quite a bit of calories though, so don’t overindulge yourself if you have to watch your calorie intake. (Yeah, I know how hard that is, especially with this yummy tart !) I originally made a pecan pie, but I just felt that a buttery and crumbly tart would work better, and with the maple syrup…..Mmmmm, just so rich, aromatic and satisfying !

I found this beautiful rectangular tart mold in a discount store a few weeks ago and it’s perfect ! At first, I was worried the tart would break cause it’s so long, but it came out really nice ! My only problem now is to resist having a second piece ! 

Makes one 4″ x 14″ rectangular or one 9″ round tart

For the tart 

  • 120 g cold unsalted butter (cut into small pieces)
  • 75 g granulated sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 180 g cake and pastry flour, sifted

For the filling

  • 150 g pecan halves
  • 100 g demerara or brown sugar
  • 40 g granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 80 g unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 40 mL maple syrup
  • 5 mL pure vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  1. To make the tart, mix together cold butter and sugar using a wooden spoon until no more lumps
  2. Add egg yolk, mix until blended
  3. Add flour all at once, mix with the wooden spoon, then transfer onto a table or counter and gently knead dough together (just work until ingredients are mixed in)
  4. Wrap with plastic wrap, refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours or overnight
  5. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350ºF
  6. Knead dough until pliable
  7. Roll dough out to about 1/8 inch in thickness on a floured surface, dock with a fork
  8. Place inside slightly greased tart mold, trim off excess dough 
  9. Bake for about 8 minutes, let cool 
  10. Toast pecan in a pan without any oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes, set aside and let cool 
  11. Whisk together eggs and sugars until frothy 
  12. Add maple syrup, vanilla and cornstarch and melted butter, whisk until blended 
  13. Stir in 1/2 of toasted pecans (try to save the better pieces to put on top later)
  14. Put filling into cooled tart shell and top with remaining pecans 
  15. Bake for about 40 minutes until crust is golden and filling is set
  16. Cool slightly, serve warm 


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Carrot Spelt Muffins with Maple Roasted Pecans (Vegan)

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I guess by now everyone knows I love to bake.  Not only do I like to eat sweets, but I also get intrigued by how different ingredients work or not work together and the Science behind it. Yes, baking is an edible Science experiment ! And I have so much fun with these “Science projects” !  Vegan baking is even more interesting ! You don’t have your eggs to bind things together, you don’t have your dairy nor butter for nice creamy texture and rich flavours.  But there are actually many great alternatives and I realize I have a lot more to learn. This is the first time I bake with spelt flour. It can be used instead of whole wheat flour. It has a finer texture and a milder taste which I like.  For the roasted pecans, you won’t need the whole batch for the muffins, save the rest for a healthy snack !

Makes about 12 muffins

For the roasted pecans 

  • 100 g pecans
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup 
  • 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • Pinch of salt 
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F
  2. Coat pecans with rest of ingredients 
  3. Bake for about 10 minutes, stirring once in between Maple Roasted Pecans

For the muffins

  • 225 g spelt flour
  • 1+1/2 teaspoon baking powder 
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
  • 60 g demerara or brown sugar 
  • 150 g unsweetened apple sauce 
  • 120 mL vegetable oil 
  • 60 mL unsweetened almond milk 
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup 
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 
  • 200 g grated carrots 
  • 30 g maple roasted pecans, crushed 
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon 
  3. Mix in sugar 
  4. Stir in other wet ingredients
  5. Stir in grated carrots 
  6. Spoon into lightly greased paper or silicone muffin cups (you can fill them up a little fuller, as they don’t rise as much)
  7. Sprinkle crushed maple pecans on top 
  8. Bake in muffin tins for 25-30 minutes Carrot Spelt Muffins with Maple Roasted Pecans (Vegan)