1. Prepare the Crust:
- In a food processor, pulse together flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of cold water at a time, pulsing until the dough just comes together. Add more water if necessary, but the dough should not be wet or sticky.
- Turn out the dough onto a work surface and form into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
2. Roll Out and Bake the Tart Shells:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a muffin tin or individual tart pans.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out circles larger than the muffin cups or tart pans. Gently press the dough into each cup/pan, trimming any excess. Prick the bottoms with a fork.
- Bake the tart shells for 10-12 minutes, or until they are just starting to turn golden. Remove from the oven and set aside. Increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
3. Make the Filling:
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next.
- Stir in the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt, mixing until smooth. If using flour, sift it over the mixture and fold in gently to incorporate.
4. Assemble and Bake:
- Pour the filling into the pre-baked tart shells, filling each nearly to the top.
- Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until the tops are dark brown and the filling is still slightly jiggly in the center.
- Let the tarts cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to set.
5. Serving:
- These tarts can be served chilled straight from the fridge. The contrast between the creamy, lightly sweet filling and the caramelized, almost bitter top, all contained within a flaky pastry, makes for a delightful dessert experience.
Burnt Basque Cheesecake Tarts merge the beloved flavors of the traditional Basque dessert with a new, tart format. Whether for a special occasion or a luxurious treat, these tarts promise a deliciously unique take on dessert. Enjoy the process of making and savoring these exquisite tarts.