>> source: Dominique Ansel
>> serves: 8 inch tart shell
>> total time: 1 hour

In a #stand mixer{} fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the @confectioners’ sugar{81%g} and @unsalted butter, softened{127%g} for ~{30%seconds} on low speed. Add the @egg{1%large}, scrape down the sides of the bowl with a #rubber spatula{}, and mix on medium speed until evenly combined.

Working on a #cutting board{}, press the @vanilla bean{1} flat, then use the tip of the #paring knife{} to halve it lengthwise, from tip to tip. Turn the knife blade over and use the back of the blade tip to scrape the seeds from the center of each half.

In a #medium bowl{}, combine the @all-purpose flour{186%g}, @cornstarch{47%g}, and @salt{1/2%tsp}. With the mixer on low speed, stir in the flour mixture and vanilla bean seeds until just combined and no more dry patches are visible, about ~{10%seconds} more. Finish mixing the dough by hand to ensure it is not over-mixed. The dough should be creamy, smooth and have the consistency of cookie dough.

Transfer the dough to a sheet of #parchment paper{} on your work surface and sandwich it with another sheet of parchment paper, flattening it into a 1 inch thick disk. Transfer the dough disk to a #sheet pan{} and refrigerate until firm, 30 to ~{45%minutes}.

Liberally flour the work surface and a #rolling pin{}. Unwrap the dough and transfer it to your work surface. Roll out the dough out into a rectangle about 1/8 inch (3mm) thick. (Make sure to work fast so the dough doesn’t get too warm.) Place on a #sheet pan{} and loosely cover with #plastic wrap{}. Refrigerate for ~{30%minutes}. (If you feel your dough is still cold and easy to work with, you can proceed directly to the next step without chilling the dough sheet.)

Tip: You can also roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment, if you find that your rolling pin is sticking to the dough. It also helps when transferring the rolled out dough onto the sheet pan before chilling in the fridge.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and slide the dough sheet to a work surface. (Peel off the layers of parchment paper, if using.) Using the tart ring as a guide, cut a circle from the center of the dough sheet that is 1 inch (2.5 cm) wider than the outside of the ring, so that the dough round will be big enough to come up the sides of the ring.

Now: the fun part. You’re going to “fonçage” the tart dough, or form it into a tart shape in the #tart ring{}. First, butter the inside of the tart ring. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and place the tart ring at the center of the pan. Place the dough round on top of the ring. Push down gently with your fingers and press the dough along the inside of the ring, making sure to get into the inside edges. It’s important here not to press too hard and to keep the tart shell an even thickness so that it doesn’t bake unevenly. Use a #paring knife{} to trim the excess dough hanging over the edge of the ring. Return to the refrigerator to chill for about ~{30%minutes}.

Tip: If your dough starts to feel warm and lose its shape, return it to the fridge for 15 minutes. Chilling the dough allows the gluten to rest. Working with dough that’s too warm or overworked will cause the finished product to shrink while baking.

While the tart shell is chilling, place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) for conventional or 325°F (160°C) for convection.

Blind-bake the tart shell by lining it with parchment paper or a large coffee filter so the surface of the dough is completely covered. An easy trick to folding the parchment is similar to folding a snowflake, where you fold it in quarters and keep folding smaller segments to the point, cutting in a curve to form a circle. Press the parchment completely to the side of the tart dough.

Tip: Since tarts are filled with creams or mousses (which can’t be baked), you’ll have to bake the tart shell in advance of filling it.

Fill with enough #rice or dried beans{} to hold down as weights. Bake the tart on the center rack for 15 to ~{20%minutes}, until it’s a light golden, sandy color and you don’t see any wet spots.

Tip: This particular tart dough won’t rise too much, so if you don’t blind-bake the tart shell in advance, it’s still going to be ok.

Tip: Some tart or pie shell recipes will tell you to “dock” (or pierce with a fork) the bottom of the dough before baking to prevent it from puffing up. You DON’T need to dock this dough as it won’t rise too much, especially as it’s being weighed down with pie weights during the blind-baking process.

Bake the tart shell on the center rack for ~{8%minutes}. Rotate the pan 180 degrees and bake for ~{8%minutes} more or until the tart shell is a light golden brown. Unmold the tart shell while still warm. Let cool completely at room temperature.

Tip: Always make sure your tart shell is fully cooled before you start assembling any cream-based tarts. If the shell is still too hot or warm when you pipe in your pastry cream, you’ll end up with a soggy-bottomed tart.