In baking, there are lots that you need to have in order to make a perfect pastry, from the ingredients up to the utensils and other baking needs. This includes having a tart pan. If you know what is a tart pan, then you have gone into different baking style.
What is a Tart Pan?
A tart pan is one of the baking tools used in baking tarts or pies. It comes in different sizes and shapes. It can be round or oblong, while some bakers prefer using a rectangular shape. So, what is a tart pan? Its diameter ranges from 4 to 12 inches with ¾ to 2 inches deep. Some bakers use pie pans to make tarts. But when you try to compare the tart pan vs. pie pan, the difference is the size and depth.
The tarp pan is equally wide at the bottom and the top. When you baked pastries in a tart pan, the heat from the bottom has a lesser time to travel to the top. The metal of the pan is also a good heat conductor, which makes the tart’s crust uniformly baked – making it a perfect baking pan. It also has a removable bottom, making the finished products easy to remove by slipping them through without deforming their crusts.
Types Of Tart Pans and How to Use them
Traditionally, a tart pan is made of metal, but it also comes in different material types. Each of these may have a special way of how to use it. The type of tart pan may help you understand what is a tart pan and how to use them.
New bakers are wondering if greasing the pan is necessary. Do know that most of the tart pans available in the market today come with a non-stick finish. However, if you are still not confident or if you feel that the tart will still stick on the pan, then greasing it or sprinkling flour on it may help.
- Tart with Removable Bottom – This type is consisting of two parts—the plate and the pan ring. This is what most bakers used because of its simple design and tart can easily be removed from it.
- Mini Tart Pan – This mini tart pan can be separated or connected. Most of this tart pan also comes in a non-stick finished. With this, you will be able to make a mini tart shell and put in the fillings later.
- Silicone Tart Pan – This type of tart pan is, of course, made of silicone. It can be in a small or bigger size. The best thing about silicone-made pans is that you can easily remove whatever you baked on them. The fact that they are soft, you can slightly fold them in order to remove the tart from it.
- Glass Tart Pan – Balking pans don’t have to be metal all the time. It can also be created from something else like a glass pan. Using this type of tart pan can make the tart looks lovely. With its clear glass color, you may opt not to remove your tart from the pan, and serve it directly after baking and adding the filling.
Tips when Baking Tart Shell
Making a perfect tart can be challenging. It would either make or break your baking career. If you are a newbie baker, you must remember that tart must be crisp and buttery. It must not be too thick or too thin just enough to handle the filling. Baked tart must have a neat edge.
Here are the things that you need to remember:
- Use Cold Butter – Cold butter is thick. This makes the crust crisp. So, if you want your tart shell to be perfect, use cold butter. Otherwise, you will have a soggy and soft tart. Cut the butter into small cubes and chill for at least an hour. It will then ready to be mixed with the flour.
- Bring Dough Together with Chilled Water – Unlike other pastries, the dough needs kneading, but with tarts and pies, you only need to bring them together. Once you have mixed them, flatten like a disc or cling wrap.
- Chill the Dough – It is letting the dough chill before rolling allows the gluten to relax. It is easy to roll them if it is chilled.
- Rolling the Dough – Before rolling the dough, sprinkle flour below and above. Do not put too much force in it. Carefully roll and make sure all sides are even. If you feel it cracking, keep bringing it together and sprinkle enough flour over it.
- Chill before Baking – You have to ensure the butter on the dough remains firm. To do that, you must chill the dough after placing it in the tart pan for an hour or two. Remember that the quick melting of the butter makes the crust crisps.
- Prick the Tart – Before placing the tart in the oven, prick it using the tines of the fork. This is to avoid it from shrinking while you bake it.
- Baking Time – Before baking, make sure to preheat the oven. Do not open the oven in the first 20 minutes. Then observe and bake the tart until it turns brown—the browner, the crispier.
Baking requires accuracy. Unlike cooking, where ingredients can be estimated once you tasted it, but with baking, you need to measure your ingredients to ensure good texture and result. You also need to know what is a tart pan to give you an additional option to use the next time you bake.
Conclusion
Bakers turn to their pastries to be able to feel calm and fulfilled. It is one of their ways to release stress. So, as you start to learn baking, you have to be familiar with the tools, the mixing methods, and the pans. You also have to know what is a tart pan. It should be part of your whole baking career. And as you grow, and continue to bake, you eventually become more familiar and learn the techniques and successfully bake every pastry you want. Just keep baking! Find out more about tart pans.