At least 8 small heart-shaped pans or sandbakkel tins (any shape will work just fine)
Ingredients
For the Dough:
1large egg yolk
3tablespoonsheavy cream
1teaspoonvanilla extract
2 ½cupsall-purpose flour
1 ⅓cuppowderedconfectioners’ sugar
½teaspoonsalt
16tablespoons2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into ½ inch cubes and chilled
For the Vanilla Pastry Cream:
3egg yolks
1 ½tablespoonscornstarch
1 ½cupshalf and half or whole milk
3tablespoonssugar
Pinchof fine salt
2 ½tablespoonsunsalted butter
1 ½teaspoonsvanilla extract
Instructions
Make the dough: Whisk the egg yolk, cream and vanilla together in a small bowl. Set aside.
Combine the flour, powdered sugar and salt in the work bowl of a food processor and pulse a few times to combine. Scatter the butter over the top and pulse until the mixture resembles wet sand, about 10-12 pulses.
With the machine running, pour the egg mixture into the food processor through the feed tube. Process until a cohesive dough forms.
Remove the dough from the food processor and divide into two pieces. Wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, pressing it into a 6 inch disc in the process. Chill for at least an hour or up to two days (the dough will harden significantly if it’s in the refrigerator for more than a few hours so you may need to let it warm up slightly before rolling).
While the dough chills, make the pastry cream: Whisk egg yolks, cornstarch, half and half, sugar and salt together in a medium saucepan. Add butter. Place pan over medium low heat and whisk constantly until butter melts and mixture becomes smooth and thick, about 3-5 minutes. Strain mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl. Stir in vanilla. Place a piece of parchment paper directly on top of the pastry cream, followed by a layer of plastic wrap (this prevents the custard from forming a skin). Refrigerate until you are ready to use. (Vanilla Pastry Cream can be made 1-2 days in advance.)
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Remove one of the discs of dough from the refrigerator and roll out on a lightly floured work surface until it is ⅛ of an inch thick. Using a biscuit or cookie cutter just slightly larger than the heart mold, cut 8 circles from the dough. Press a round of dough lightly into a mold and let the excess dough fold over the edge. Transfer the mold to a parchment-lined baking sheet and repeat with the remaining pieces of dough. Store the tart bottoms in the refrigerator while you prepare the tops. Gather any dough scraps, wrap in plastic and transfer to the refrigerator for a second batch.
Remove the second disc of dough from the refrigerator and roll out on a lightly floured work surface until it is ⅛ inch thick. Using the same biscuit or cookie cutter, cut 8 more circles. Remove the tart bottoms from the refrigerator and fill about ⅔ full with chilled pastry cream. Lay a second dough circle on top of each filled bottom and gently wrap the dough around the edges of the tart pan. Using a sharp, small knife, cut any excess dough from around the molds and press the edges gently to seal. Chill the assembled tarts in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before baking. Gather any dough scraps, wrap in plastic and transfer to the refrigerator for a second batch.
Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake the tarts until golden and puffed slightly in the center, about 18-23 minutes. Let the Vaniljhjärtan cool slightly in the molds and then carefully remove them and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving. Repeat the process with the dough scraps once they are cool enough to work with for a second batch.
Notes
These tarts are best the day they are made, but you can store any leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator. Set them out at room temperature to warm slightly before enjoying.