Ganache Linzer Tart (GF and Passover-Friendly!)

Ganache Linzer Tart

Well, the week marches on. Today was Primary Election day in my state, and I watched a lot of people agonize over which terrible candidate to vote for. Yay for democracy!

Ideally, the voting process should be nothing but exciting, but it’s harder this year than usual. Looking toward November is a worrisome occupation, at least for me. I want to believe that everything will turn out okay, but I’m in a negative frame of mind these days.

Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I bake. There’s a mindful mindlessness about baking that lets my brain fall away a bit as I make ganache or press tart dough into a pan. The motions are repetitive, soothing, and exactly what I need sometimes. When the result is this mind-blowing linzer tart smothered in ganache and almonds, I can banish all the negativity and just think about the rich flavors exploding in my mouth.

Ganache Linzer Tart

It’s not like me to be incredibly negative, or at least, not in my head. But recently I’ve sustained a series of failures, and so I’ve had to work harder to focus on the good stuff. Whenever I’m in this frame of mind, it’s hard to see all the people who are seemingly more satisfied and successful displaying their good fortune right and left. The rational part of my brain is thrilled for them, but the emotional part is resentful. That’s human nature, after all.

Ganache Linzer Tart

So in times like these, I’m shifting the focus where it should be. On my family, of course, which affords me great joy. On the part of my job that takes place in the classroom, where I work with the best students a teacher could ask for. On the changing season, letting sunshine and fresh air into the house. On having an awareness of purpose. There’s so much to be thankful for.

When I get thankful, I think of pie. Really. It’s some kind of Thanksgiving trigger. But it’s April. What to do?

Ganache Linzer Tart

Well, make a tart. It’s gluten-free for my beloved Kenny and kosher for Passover for the rest of us. We don’t get normal food until Sunday! Yes, that counts liquor. Happy hour is going to have to wait a bit.

This is one of the best desserts I’ve made in the GF category. The crust (adapted from Paula Shoyer’s The New Passover Menu) is mainly almond meal with some walnut meal thrown in for good measure. Once the crust is baked, I spread raspberry jam over the top and filled it with ganache. I made this tart non-dairy by using fake coffee creamer and margarine, but the recipe will list heavy cream and butter because that’s more standard. They both work, though!

Ganache Linzer Tart

I’m looking out the window as I write this, where the leaves on the trees have become rich and green. There’s a lot that’s good to focus on. During a time that’s less than easy in some ways, I need to see all the beauty and savor it. And I also need to savor this tart, so get on that train with me!

 

Ganache Linzer Tart (GF and Passover-Friendly!)

Ingredients

Crust
1/2 cup butter, softened to room temperature (use margarine for non-dairy)
2 cups ground almonds
1 cup ground walnuts
1/2 cup potato starch
1/4 cup sugar
Filling
3/4 cup raspberry jam
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup sliced blanched almonds

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350. Coat a tart pan (the kind that has a removable bottom) generously with cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the ground nuts, potato starch and sugar, mixing until well incorporated.
  3. Press the tart tough into the prepared pan, working the dough evenly over the bottom and up the sides with the back of a measuring cup.
  4. Bake the crust for 20- 25 minutes until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. Set aside.
  5. In the microwave, melt the heavy cream and chocolate chips for one minute. Stir until smooth.
  6. Spread the raspberry jam over the bottom of the crust evenly. Pour the ganache over the raspberry jam, smoothing out the top. Sprinkle the sliced almonds over the surface.
  7. Chill the tart until set, about one hour. Cut into wedges. Store covered and chilled.
http://justaboutbaked.com/ganache-linzer-tart-gf-and-passover-friendly/

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 22 Comments

  1. Medha @ Whisk & Shout

    I voted for the first time this year! So excited to see the MD results, even though I cast my absentee ballot months ago 🙂 This tart is so pretty- love tarts with ganache filling, they’re so creamy!
    Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…6-Ingredient Flourless Brownies {Vegan + GF!}My Profile

    1. Mir

      Congrats on your first primary! Absentee ballots are the best!

  2. Jessica @ Citrus Blossom Bliss

    This tart looks so beautifully rich and delicious, you’d never even guess it was gluten free. I love those kinds of desserts 🙂 It really is important to savor the good moments in life, that’s for sure. It’s so easy to get caught up in everyone else’s joys that you forget how great your own little joys are. I hope you have a good rest of Passover, Mir!
    Jessica @ Citrus Blossom Bliss recently posted…Snickerdoodle Overnight OatsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Yep. I have to remember to focus on the good!

  3. Ami@NaiveCookCooks

    Mir this tart looks so yumm!
    Ami@NaiveCookCooks recently posted…Neapolitan Ice Cream CupcakesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Ami! It was. 🙂

  4. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    Baking feels so therapeutic to me! I love that it helps me relax and unwind, while having fun, too. This tart looks gorgeous, Mir! I’ve never had a dessert quite like this. I’m love that ganache on top!

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Gayle! The ganache is the best part, no question!

  5. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

    Mir, when I feel overwhelmed, I bake, or I run. I hope you are feeling better .. I love that spring is here and the flowers and plants in my front yard are blooming . . you are right, there’s a lot that’s good to focus on. Your family and this TART! OMG! LOVE!!!!!
    Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…TODAY Show DebutMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Baking and running are two of my favorite coping devices. Well, those and a good Netflix session on the couch under a blanket. Then life seems a little bit more manageable!

  6. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary

    This years election is worrisome… definitely no great choice there. Baking is definitely therapeutic and always seems to help me forget the not so great things in life! Looooove this tart, Mir!! A Linzer tart smothered in ganache and almonds looks and sounds fabulously decadent! I know for a fact if I devoured this I would temporarily forget all of life’s problems! 😉 Cheers, dear!
    Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Arugula Pesto Pasta with Blistered Tomatoes & BurrataMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Yeah, and the election stuff is everywhere. I try not to read too much about it, but I also kind of have to. It’s a problem!

  7. Amanda

    Pies and tarts are pure comfort food. They always make me feel better. I’ve wanted to make a Linzer tart before, but I never have. This one looks so rich! I love it! Chocolate and jam? Sold!
    Amanda recently posted…Coconut RiceMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Linzer tarts are great. Go for it, Amanda!

  8. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy

    We have our vote in the UK coming up on whether we should stay in the EU or not and it’s making me nervous.
    Sadly baking doesn’t calm my nerves, because I am terrible at baking haha.
    Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Sweet and Sour King Prawns by Harriet EmilyMy Profile

    1. Mir

      So things are politically nerve-wracking everywhere. That’s not good!

  9. Aria

    Ooh Mir this tart looks delicious! Yes I can agree this election is iffy! Ugh. Oh well, if I could vote I would agonize over who to vote for and then eat this. Maybe I’ll make it for the voters in the family 🙂
    Aria recently posted…Mother’s Day Brunch RecipesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      There you go. Give them energy to get to the polls!

  10. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

    I am ready for the November election to be over. It’s ridiculous right now!! I bake when I’m stressed or worried too, it’s such great therapy!
    Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Mini S’mores CheesecakesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Yeah, I keep seeing headlines and thinking, “Noooooooo.” And then it gets worse. Arrrghh!

  11. Shashi @ RunninSrilankan

    Mir – I am so glad you channeled your feelings into baking for your family – because – gosh darn – look at this! That crust alone with jam would make me one happy gal – but, with that chocolate ganache filling – why, I’d forget all my woes! AND this is gluten free! Fantabulous!
    Shashi @ RunninSrilankan recently posted…Curried Mango Pork ChopsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I find that chocolate ganache cures all the ills in the world!

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