Monday, October 19, 2009

Nutella Toaster -Tarts

It's one of those mornings; what happened to the alarm? I know I set it. Now everyone is late (my son for school, my husband for work, me for a meeting) and we're all scrambling around in our own improvised French Farce. The doors are opening and shutting, water on and off, the dog sits in the hallway watching the chaos whining for his food. FOOD! There's no time for breakfast? Then, I remember; Homemade Nutella Toaster Tarts.
I made them 2 days ago, froze them on a sheet pan, then bagged them and placed them in the freezer for a day just like this one. I'm almost glad the alarm didn't go off, just so I can gloat in my own uber organizational skills (which don't happen that often). I trot downstairs, grab a few Nutella Toaster Tarts out of the freezer and place them on my toaster oven rack. I turn the toaster on to 300F, set the timer for 15" and run back upstairs to finish the express version of my morning prep. About the time the buzzer rings, my son is downstairs and hits the toaster button one time for a good crispy outside - it dings and we're all standing there ready with our napkins for a healthier version of fast food. I say healthier because I've added a little whole wheat flour and a pinch of flaxseed into the pastry for the Toaster Tarts, and although Nutella isn't like a plate of egg whites; it does have nutritional value (by far more than skipping breakfast would at least). Is it the BEST way to eat a breakfast? NO. Does it match my support for SLOW FOOD? Not really. Will it do in a pinch, supply some nutrients and taste amazing? ABSOLUTELY! In fact, these are so tasty my son's friends ask for them every time they come over. They'll never know that with each one they scarf down (and believe me those boys can put a few away) they are also getting a day's worth of fiber and nutrients.

These are simple; made with the basic 3-2-1 pie pastry, dolloped with nutella, covered and poked, then frozen.
I first experimented with these for a monthly Nutella Challenge that started a few months ago with Paula at Bell'Alimento. Nutella is so loved and versatile that many talented food bloggers have joined in the fun of developing new recipes each month using this chocolate/nutty spread. Check out the other recipes right here: Nutella Challenge Players Obviously, these Toaster Tarts can be filled with jam (I used my own Plum and Cinnamon and it was rich and warm). I've also loved them with a filling of: 1 Tablespoon of Brown Sugar, a sprinkling of raisins, and a pinch of cinnamon. Let me know if you have other ideas. By the way, these make a great breakfast actually placed on a plate beside a cup of coffee, still in your pajamas and the morning paper spread out, too.
Nutella Toaster-Tarts

4 oz. All Purpose Flour
2 oz. Whole Wheat Flour
3 oz. Butter (chilled, cubed)
1 oz. Flaxseed milled
3 oz. cold water
pinch of salt
pinch of sugar
1 egg beaten for wash
Nutella

Combine the flours, salt, sugar and flaxseed milled thoroughly. Rub the butter into the flour using your fingertips til you have the texture of course meal.
Add the water and mix just until the dough comes together. Pat into a thick disk, wrap in plastic and chill for about 20 minutes (or up to 1 day).
Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and roll out to a rectangle, and about 1/8 inch thick.
Cut even squares about 4inch (or you can use a large cookie cutter).
Place a dollop of Nutella in the center of every other square (it will take two squares to make a tart).
Brush the edges of the squares with egg wash, and cover with the matching pastry square. Press slightly to secure the Nutella center.
Using a fork, press around the edges to secure a seal, and poke a few holes into the tops.
** At this point you can freeze the Pocket Tarts for several weeks, and bake straight from the freezer***

If baking now, brush the tops of each tart with egg wash (optionally: sprinkle with cinnamon)
and bake 350F for 10-15 minutes.
Enjoy!

5 comments:

Paula - bell'alimento said...

They look great Cathy! Who wouldn't want one (or two, or LOL) of those ;)

Khali//Bandit and the Scene Stealers said...

ummmmm can I come over right now!!! these look yummy and warm and just good. I love the jam inside idea too. Plum/cinnamon jam sound yummy too. This is my problem with your blog - I am starving by the end of it.

The Urban Baker said...

My son and I just shared this (I picked one up today from the bake sale-mainly because I fell in love with the packaging). What was inside the packaging didn't disappoint! Yum-o-rama! I am going to making these very soon. Fun event!!

The Urban Baker said...

I made them last week. Mine were not as tasty nor as pretty as yours. Practice, Practice, Practice!!

Linda Sue said...

Stumbled across your recipe this morning and made 4 delicious nutella tarts. I mixed some melted butter and vanilla into the nutella (from another nutella recipe) and sprinkled with sugar. Even my non-pastry teen ate one and sayd "yum". Couldn't be easier and looks fabulous. The egg wash is the secret for getting that browned shiny pastry store look!