Sunday's Bake: Fruit Tart with Shortbread Crust

The easiest way to look gourmet: the tart.

Today was a typical Sunday in our little house. Tom slept in while I woke up early and drank my coffee, painted and started a baking project. This past Friday was Tom's sister's birthday, and she had requested a fruit tart for her family celebration this evening. I busted this guy out in just about an hour...and I'm pretty sure I'll be making it again. And again. For so much fruit and crust going on, it's pretty low-sugar, but certainly satisfied my sweet tooth anyway.

Here's the recipe:

For the crust:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup confectioners sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold, unsalted butter, cut into pieces

For the topping:

1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons granulated white sugar (or xylitol)
3 cups mixed fruit of your choice (I used kiwis, strawberries, nectarines and blueberries)

*You'll also need an 8-or-9 inch tart pan, with removable bottom

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F*
2. Lightly grease your tart pan
3. In a food processor, combine all the dry ingredients and pulse to combine.
4. Add the pieces of butter into the food processor and pulse until the mixture begins to combine and clump.
5. Take the dough out of the processor and using your hands, spread it evenly in the pan over the bottom and sides. Use the tines of a fork to pierce the bottom of the crust in a few places.
6. Cover the crust and put it into the freezer for 15 minutes to chill.
7. Remove the crust and put it into the oven at 425 for 13-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
8. Take the crust from the oven and let it stand on a wire rack until cool.

While the crust is cooling:

9. In your electric mixer, combine mascarpone, whipping cream, vanilla and sugar. Beat until soft peaks begin to form.
10. Slice fruit as you desire, set aside.
11. When crust is cool, spread whipped topping evenly across the crust and add fruit to the top as you wish.

Eat it all up! (Refrigerate if not serving immediately)