Summer Fruit Torte Recipes

Steps:

• Mix water and vanilla extract together in a small bowl.
• Stir 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour, sugar, and salt together in a medium bowl. Cut in butter until mixture forms fine crumbs. Do not overmix, or pastry will be tough. Stir in enough vanilla water to pull dough together. Chill for 15 minutes.
• Roll dough out into a 12-inch circle. Gently transfer to an 11-inch tart pan. Pat dough into place, cutting off edges and aligning pastry along the edges of the pan. Freeze pastry shell until firm, at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Bake pastry shell in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Prick any large bubbles with the tip of a knife. Allow to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the filling. Beat cream in a chilled glass or metal bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Beat sugar, cream cheese, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until smooth. Fold in whipped cream.
• Spread filling into the cooled tart shell, smoothing out to reach the edges. Arrange mandarin oranges, strawberries, kiwi slices, and berries over the top, covering as much of the filling as possible. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• For Nut crust:
• Finely chop first 4 ingredients in processor, using on/off turns. Add butter and blend until moist crumbs form. Transfer 3 1/2 cups nut mixture to 10-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 1/2-inch-high sides; transfer remaining nut mixture to 6-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 1/2-inch-high sides. Using plastic wrap as aid, press crumbs firmly up sides, then over bottom of each pan, covering completely. Freeze.
• For Lime Filling:
• Combine first 5 ingredients in medium metal bowl. Place bowl over saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Whisk constantly until candy thermometer registers 170°F, about 5 minutes. Remove bowl from over water. Add white chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Freeze lime mixture until cold and thickened, whisking occasionally, about 45 minutes.
• Beat cream in large bowl until stiff. Pour lime mixture over whipped cream; using rubber spatula, fold lime mixture and cream together. Divide between crust. Cover and freeze overnight.
• For Blackberry Sauce:
• Bring all ingredients to boil in heavy medium saucepan, stirring frequently. Cool slightly. Puree mixture in batches in processor. Strain through sieve set over bowl, pressing on solids. Chill until cold. (Can be made 1 day ahead.)
• For Assembly:
• Using electric mixer, beat cream and sugar in large bowl until peaks form. Run sharp knife around pan sides to loosen torte tiers. Release pan sides. Center 6-inch tier on its pan bottom atop 10-inch tier. Spread whipped cream over sides (not tops) of tiers, covering crusts completely. Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Wrap in plastic; keep frozen.)
• Transfer tiered torte to platter. Mound fruit decoratively atop torte. Garnish with mint. To serve, slide spatula under 6-inch tier and transfer to work surface. Cut tiers into wedges. Serve with sauce and additional fruit.

Steps:

• Put a rack in the center of the oven and heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a silicone liner or parchment paper. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons Demerara sugar in an approximate 10-by-13-inch rectangle in the center of the liner or paper.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, cornstarch and salt. Add fruit, lemon juice, honey and vanilla. With a rubber spatula or large spoon, mix well, making sure fruit is coated with the cornstarch mixture. Set aside to macerate while rolling out dough.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll the cold puff pastry out to form a 10-by-13-inch rectangle. Work quickly, as the pastry becomes sticky as it warms up. Transfer the dough to prepared baking sheet, laying it on top of the Demerara sugar. With a sharp knife, lightly score a 3/4-inch border around the edges of the puff pastry, making sure not to cut the pastry all the way through. Using a fork, prick the pastry all over inside the border at 1-inch intervals.
• Give the fruit another toss to dissolve any honey that may have clumped. Arrange fruit mixture in an even layer on pastry within the border, pouring the juices from the bowl over the top. Sprinkle the top of the tart, including the fruit and pastry borders, with more Demerara sugar.
• Bake until the pastry is puffed and deeply golden and the fruit is tender, about 30 to 40 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire tack to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving (or up to 4 hours). If the fruit looks dry when the tart comes out of the oven, you can brush it with a little more honey while it's still warm. Serve with whipped cream, crème fraîche or ice cream.