We had our annual dinner party before the Florida/Georgia game on Friday night. I made a gluten free version of a Chocolate Toasted Nut Tart that’s been a family favorite.
And I’m sharing other favorites like lovely scents from Flamingo Estates, the Fall outfits that I bought the grandkids, what we like on television and more… it’s Sunday faves time with Annie and Cindy.
Seasonal Scents From Flamingo Estates
My daughter gave me the Roma Heirloom Tomato candle last year that I loved and I also I like the one that Cindy gave me recently, Adriatic Muscatel Sage. Very layered and exotic but pleasant.
A great gift, perhaps with some…
Clever Matches
These feel like a splurge but sometimes you know just the right person to give this to…lots more here.
Cute Kids Clothes That I Sent To Our Grandkids
Did you know that H & M has well-priced cute kids clothes?
I bought 3-year-old Louisa the vest and shirt (she insists on wearing only pink right now) and flared leggings.
One-year-old Leo got this vest and shirt combo with corduroy pants. We are going to be with them in a few weeks…can’t wait!
Housewarming Gift For The New Homeowners
We got our son Tommy and his wife, Mona, a Classic Organic Cotton Percale king sized sheet set, extra king pillow cases and Premium Down Alternative King Pillows for their new home (that now has the space for a king sized bed) from Quince. Quince prices are great for basics like these.
This will help out a bit since they will have a lot of new expenses!
Someone you know may find this post useful: Essential Decorating Tips For First Time Home Buyers.
What To Watch On Netflix: House Of Guinness
Our family has an Irish Catholic heritage and we went on the Guinness Tour when we were in Dublin. So, I was interested to see this series. It takes a couple of episodes to get into but then we were hooked.
It’s got some sex scenes that some may find offensive. The ending leaves room for a Season Two.
Dark Chocolate and Mixed Nut Tart (Gluten-Free)
I’ve been making this chocolate and mixed nut tart for over 20 years, and it’s become a family favorite — especially with my son, who asks for it often. The original recipe came from Bon Appétit, and it’s one of those timeless desserts that never fails to impress.
We had a gluten-free guest coming for dinner, and rather than skip this classic, I decided to adapt it. With just a few easy substitutions, this rich, chocolatey tart is every bit as delicious.
Chocolate Toasted Nut Tart (gluten- free)
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Tart Filling
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips (use certified gluten-free)
- 2 1/2 cups mixed toasted (and cooled) nuts — such as hazelnuts, almonds, pecans, walnuts, or pistachios, roughly chopped
- Pinch of kosher salt
Instructions
Crust
- Combine the almond flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor.
- Add the cold butter and work it in until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the egg yolk and vanilla. Mix until the dough just comes together — it should hold when pressed, but is stickier than with regular flour.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Chill for at least 30 minutes (up to overnight).
Pre-bake the crust
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prick the crust lightly with a fork and line it with parchment paper.
- Put crust on a rimmed baking sheet in case of seepage. Fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the weights and parchment and bake another 10 minutes until lightly golden. Let cool slightly while preparing the filling.
Tart Filling
- In a large bowl, whisk together corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and almond extract. Stir in the chocolate chips and chopped nuts until well combined.
- Pour into the warm crust and spread evenly.
Bake
- Bake until the filling is set and puffed slightly — about 45 to 50 minutes. The center should jiggle just a bit.
Cool And Serve
- Let the tart cool completely in the pan before removing the ring. Sprinkle with a touch of sea salt on top. Serve small wedges (it's rich) at room temperature with a scoop of French Vanilla Ice Cream and a sprinkle of a few toasted nuts on top.
The next day, we chopped up the leftover tart into smaller bites to serve in cupcake papers…they we gone in an instant.
Wayfair November 1–9: Black Friday Early Access
Get your backyard party ready for shorter daylight hours with the Wayfair sale. I love how shipping is free. My friend, Joy is interested in buying our fire pit for her backyard.
Fire Pit With Hidden Propane Tank • String Lights • Commercial grade indoor/outdoor stackable chairs (lots of colors and no assembly required). Perfect when you need extra seating.
It took a while to find this fire pit with the propane tank hidden inside (so that you don’t have an exterior cable you can trip over). And one that was somewhat reasonably priced. A reader asked if you could change out the rocks (which I thought about too–like smooth black). But when it has a tray that goes on top when you aren’t using it (like all summer long) and it might make it uneven.
After being disappointed by running out of propane, Howard now keeps a spare tank.
If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Let’s see what my friends have discovered this week:
Hi Mary Ann,
You both are lovely grandparents to your grands. The clothes you purchased for them are so cute. Do we have a little Princess 👑 only wants to wear pink.
Buying Tommy and Mona the bedding is such a thoughtful and kind gift for their new home. Moving into a new home and buying furniture and many things is very costly. I thought your suggestions in guiding them was outstanding advise.
Your Chocolate Toasted Nut Tart looks and sounds so outstanding. I have baked all my life, can you believe I have never made a tart? I try to be gluten free most of the time. I hope to find a good quality tart pan now. I’m going to serve it on a welcome back Christmas Tea party that I’m going to host on December 5th for friends. I’m researching the best teas to offer. Do you have any that you love to serve to tea people?
Mary Ann,
Thank you for adapting this sensational-looking recipe to a gf version. As someone who maintains a gf diet, I bake quick breads (zucchini, pumpkin, banana, etc.) each week using almond flour. So excited to expand my repertoire to a sure-to-please dessert.
You are welcome!
Mary Ann, your dark chocolate tart looks and sounds amazing! Those outfits for Louisa and Leo are adorable! What fun to shop for them! Love your roses with chamomile–and quince bedding. I just ordered all new bed pillows and new mattress pads. Great quality at such reasonable prices! Congratulations to Tommy and Mona on their new home!
xo
annie
That nut tart looks both DELICIOUS, and nutritious, if rich — great recipe, thank you!
I CANNOT BELIEVE it is already DLS — I wish it would be abolished! It is so much nicer to have more daylight before dinner, and it makes Fall last longer ;-}. I can easily do with a darker 8 am than I can with a very short afternoon. IMHO.
My husband built a lovely limestone fire pit in our small backyard, using leftover stone from our home build. We haven’t figured out how to entertain with it, given our upper MW climate!
Hi Mary Helen,
Wow that tart looks just so delicious thank you for the recipe, I will make it very soon! Such cute clothing for your grandchildren too-how I wish for grandchildren-such beautiful colors.Have a lovely Sunday!
Thanks. I’m feeling lucky.
So sorry I wrote Mary Helen Mary Ann! That’s my lovely neighbor! Obviously I needed my morning coffee first. All the best xo
That nut tart is to die for! We have been thinking about pulling the trigger on that firepit as well!! Although now that it is dark at 5:00!! I am glad you liked that candle I ordered one after receiving your approval!!
I still owe you a thank you note, Cindy!!
Good morning, Cindy. I always enjoy reading about your travels, the clothes you buy and especially interior design. I have to mention, the spare propane should not be stored in the garage.
Thanks I will tell Howard!!