Nutella Sweet Shortcrust Pastry Recipe

Indulge your sweet tooth with this delightful Nutella shortcrust pastry recipe. This delectable treat combines the rich, chocolate-hazelnut spread with a crisp, buttery pastry, creating a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Whether you're planning a special dessert or want to impress your guests with a homemade delight, this recipe is a winner.

Nutella's versatility makes it an excellent filling for various pastries. In this recipe, we'll use it to create a simple yet impressive tart. The sweet shortcrust pastry, also known as pâte sucrée, is a perfect match for the Nutella filling. It's tender, slightly sweet, and has a delightful crumb that melts in your mouth.

Sweet Shortcrust Pastry Recipe

The sweet shortcrust pastry is the foundation of our Nutella tart. It's a basic pastry dough that's easy to make and requires no special equipment. Here's a simple recipe to get you started.

Ingredients:

• 200g plain flour
• 100g unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 100g caster sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp cold water

Making the Dough

To make the dough, combine the flour, butter, and sugar in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Alternatively, you can use a pastry cutter or your fingers to achieve the same result.

Add the egg and water, then pulse or mix until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the pastry tough. If the dough is too crumbly, add a bit more water. If it's too sticky, add a bit more flour.

Chilling and Rolling Out the Dough

Wrap the dough in cling film and chill for at least 30 minutes. This helps with rolling and prevents the pastry from shrinking during baking.

Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 3mm thick. You can use it immediately or freeze it for later use.

Nutella Filling

Nutella is the star of this show, and it's incredibly versatile. For this recipe, we'll use it as a simple, no-cook filling. Here's what you'll need:

Ingredients:

• 300g Nutella
• 100ml double cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Preparing the Filling

In a bowl, combine the Nutella, double cream, and vanilla extract. Mix well until smooth and well combined. If the mixture is too thick, you can add a bit more cream to reach your desired consistency.

Taste the filling and adjust the flavors if needed. You can add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness, or a splash of rum or orange liqueur for an extra kick.

Assembling the Tart

Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or 350°F. Press the rolled-out pastry into a 23cm (9-inch) tart tin, making sure to go up the sides. Prick the base with a fork to prevent it from puffing up during baking.

Spread the Nutella filling evenly into the tart case, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is set.

Remove the tart from the oven and let it cool completely in the tin before slicing and serving. Dust with icing sugar or serve with whipped cream for an extra touch of indulgence.

This Nutella shortcrust pastry recipe is a delightful treat that's sure to impress. The combination of the crisp pastry and the velvety Nutella filling is a match made in heaven. So, why not give it a try and treat yourself to a little something sweet?