Walnut-Caramel Tart

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 3/4 cups walnut halves
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup crème fraîche or whipping cream

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a bowl, with a mixer on medium speed, beat 1/2 cup butter and the brown sugar until smooth. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla. Add flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt and beat until mixture forms a ball.
2. 2. Press dough over bottom and up sides to rim of a 9-inch fluted tart pan with removable rim. Freeze until firm, 15 minutes.
3. 3. Meanwhile, spread walnuts in a large baking pan. Bake until lightly golden under skins, about 8 minutes (leave oven on). When walnuts are cool enough to handle, chop 2 cups; reserve remainder.
4. 4. Bake tart shell until golden, 16 to 18 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack.
5. 5. Meanwhile, in a 3- to 4-quart pan over medium heat, combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water. Stir until sugar is dissolved, then increase heat to high and boil, swirling mixture occasionally, until mixture is a deep golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in crème fraîche, remaining 1/4 cup butter, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt (mixture will foam). Stir until smooth.
6. 6. Spread chopped walnuts in tart shell, then pour in hot caramel; spread level. Garnish edge of tart with reserved walnut halves. Let tart cool until caramel is firm enough to slice, at least 4 hours, or chill up to 2 days (bring to room temperature before serving). Cut into thin wedges.