Already behind and haven’t really started…
I think back to last year at this time and I was so ahead of the game. Tree was up, as well as all holiday decor. All the gifts were bought and wrapped. All the Christmas cards were done and addressed, stamped and ready to go.
This year I do have some holiday decor up but no tree yet. That was suppose to be done Friday night, then Saturday night, then tonight (yeah, not happening somehow we got the tree up, I think this post nudged me a little to do it). I have one gift bought. I think I have wrapping paper somewhere. Christmas cards? Not purchased. Have no idea where my address book is (it’s been missing for months). Stamps? Do I even have those?
Sigh.
To top it off I have 9 holiday parties I have been invited to. Five of which of course are on the same night. 
Boo. I hate to tell people no, I don’t want them to think we don’t want to come. But I have done the spreading yourself thin and go to all five party thing before and it is no fun. You don’t get to enjoy any of the parties because you are too busy starring at your watch to make sure you have enough time to get to the next one. So this year I have told myself, no more than two parties in a day.
Most of these are potlucks of some sort. Which means I am frantically trying to figure out what I want to make. I always over analyze what to make. I also tend to bring more than the average person. I need to work on that habit. Especially with all the food based parties we are going to this season.
One of my parties is a progressive dinner party. I’ll be going to that one as I am the co-host for the dessert portion of the meal (surprise…I’m doing dessert!). So I have been working on desserts to see what I want to serve for the party. I want to make one chocolate based dessert and “other”.
This falls into the other category. Orange says holiday to me. Not really sure why though it could have to do with those chocolate oranges that you have to crack open and it breaks into segments. We especially enjoyed opening them by smashing them on each other’s heads. Ah, siblings, if it were not for them who would torture us and vice versa? 
So when I saw this caramel pecan tart I decided it needed to be a orange caramel pecan tart. So glad I did, it went so nicely with it.
Orange-Caramel Pecan Tart
For the Tart Dough:
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 egg yolk
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
¼ tsp table salt
zest of one medium orange
Coat a 9” tart pan with removable bottom with nonstick spray; line baking sheet with foil. (I used 4 3-inch diameter tart pans instead).
Cream together butter and sugar for the dough in a bowl with a mixer until light. Add egg yolk and vanilla, beat until combined, then add flour, salt, and zest.
Mix just until dough forms.
Press dough evenly into tart pan, trimming excess from the edges. Chill until firm, 30 minutes; preheat oven to 350F.
Place tart on prepared sheet and bake until crust is dry to the touch but hasn’t begun to brown, 12-14 minutes. Remove from oven (leave oven on) and cool slightly.
For the Filling:
1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, cubed
¾ cup brown sugar
1/3 cup light corn syrup
3 TBSP granulated sugar
3 TBSP heavy whipping cream
½ tsp table salt
1 ½ TBSP orange liqueur (I used Grand Marnier)
1 ½ cups pecan halves, toasted
Bring butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, granulated sugar, cream and salt for the filling to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook to 240F on an instant read thermometer. Off heat, stir in the orange liqueur (it will bubble furiously), then fold in the pecans.
Pour mixture into tart shell(s), return to oven, and bake until filling is bubbly and crust is brown, about 20 minutes (about 15 for the smaller ones). Let rat cool on the baking sheet 15-20 minutes, then carefully remove the side ring. Cool tart completely before slicing.
Adapted from Cuisine at Home Magazine Holiday Menus
40 Responses
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November 30th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
9 parties! oh you social butterfly!
November 30th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Wow! That looks amazing and I’ve never thought to incorporate orange and pecans. Hope your holiday was wonderful and tasty!
November 30th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Oh my god, I know what you mean. There’s still so much to do…! I don’t have any parties planned, but I do have an extensive list of gifts to bake and make…
November 30th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
At least, I don’t have this stress ;-P…
Your tarts look wonderful! I love the addition of orange liqueur to the filling!
Cheers,
Rosa
December 1st, 2008 at 12:22 am
Party animal! Luckily I just have 2 to attend this month, plus the fam.
I love orangey desserts. Especially with either chocolate, or caramel. Or all 3 together is good too.
December 1st, 2008 at 12:35 am
Yikes… I don’t know how I would’ve handled that. If I’d said “but, I’m already going to 2 parties!” They might be even more offended that they weren’t one of the two, or you couldn’t make more time. Sigh. Well, I only have 2 groups of friends + family, so it’ll be a while before I have to think of such things
It’ll sure be one lucky party that gets served these lovely tarts!
December 1st, 2008 at 2:14 am
5 parties in one night! I would simply go to the one that promises to be the best fun and have the best food! lol! the tart looks great!
December 1st, 2008 at 2:59 am
Beautiful photos! I love the bubbled-over caramel ^__^. I may invite myself along to that particular party… XD.
December 1st, 2008 at 3:11 am
Oh my word, look at all the yumminess oozing out of that pecan pie!!! Addition of orange….brilliant!
December 1st, 2008 at 5:25 am
Yummy! The flavor combination must have been heavenly! Beautiful minis!
Bummer about the parties though… next year, YOU should throw the party! LOL What a great excuse not to have to choose between the too numerous ones you’re invited to, no? LOL
Didn’t you ever poke cloves in oranges for Christmas decorations and divine aromas around the tree (that’s why oranges spell Christmas for me anyways)? Hummm… I guess the banging of the chocolate oranges on your sibblings head was way more fun, huh? I wish I had thought of that one for my bros! LOL LOL
December 1st, 2008 at 5:54 am
Ahh, me too!! We have ONE of our Christmas trees up and decorated, but not the other one (or any of the stockings over the fireplace) – my family and I need to hop to it!!
Love the orange/caramel flavor combination you used for the tart – so enticing!! Especially since I’m a caramel fanatic
December 1st, 2008 at 7:03 am
Your tartlets look so yummy! And don’t feel bad, I’m a little behind this year too…I haven’t even thought of what to get people for Xmas yet
December 1st, 2008 at 7:30 am
oh these look to die for! i have been wanting to make pecan pies for ages and have never made it… this might just be the right recipe (i know i can always trust yours!!!) a bit late for thanksgiving, maybe, but who cares!!!
December 1st, 2008 at 7:49 am
Oh my goodness… 9 parties already. I bet these pecan tarts will be a hit…they look specially yummy!
December 1st, 2008 at 10:16 am
oooohhh I like the addition of orange
December 1st, 2008 at 10:30 am
Mmm…those look yummy. And I’m not a big pecan pie fan. I’m behind too. And I’ve decided I’m okay with it. I usually have my tree up by now but my back feels like it’s been stepped on by 3 overweight elephants so I think maybe this just isn’t the time. We’ll make there somehow!
December 1st, 2008 at 11:46 am
Orange says Holidays to me too! I keep trying to come up with new recipes and this one fits the bill.
December 1st, 2008 at 12:03 pm
You are killing me. These photos are making my mouth water! I love the flavor combination in these little tarts. Have fun at all your parties.
December 1st, 2008 at 12:33 pm
How I love pecan! I might see these with a coffee liqueur – would you be ok with that as orange just doesn’t usually do it for me. That’s odd I guess because I really associate orange with Christmas too. Getting an orange in a stocking was a good thing when I was growing up.
Happy partying!
December 1st, 2008 at 12:45 pm
NINE parties? Dang, girl. You are quite the social diva. As far as holiday decor goes, we never put up anything until 2 weeks before Christmas Day, so you’re ahead of me. And I don’t even need to tell you those pecan tarts are amazing, right? Orange AND caramel? Oh, my.
December 1st, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Oh man, these look fabulous! My grandpa’s wife loves pecan pie…I’m sending her this recipe!
December 1st, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Wow, you’re very popular! When I see delicious things like this Orange caramel pecan tart I feel like inviting you to my party too!
December 1st, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Lovely tarts! I totally agree about oranges! I’m not surprised that you have so many party invites
I’m sure you’ll get it all done!
December 1st, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I’d love to attend a progressive dinner where you serve dessert!! You are on top of it more than I am – my Thanksgiving decor is still up. I guess I should work on that tomorrow.
December 1st, 2008 at 4:44 pm
These look so good with the caramel! I’ve never tried an orange-caramel combination, but I bet it would be delicious. Have fun at all your Christmas parties!
December 1st, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I know just what you mean about party overdose — my new rule is one party per weekend. I always pick the one that I think will have the best food!
December 1st, 2008 at 8:32 pm
I can’t wait to make these.
They sound fantastic!
I’m sure they’ll be a hit…
Thanks for the recipe.
December 1st, 2008 at 8:45 pm
FIVE on the same night! Oh my!! Stay home and eat these babies instead!
December 2nd, 2008 at 6:05 am
hello, ooze, old friend–how i’ve missed you. and you’re not just any ooze–you’re caramel orange ooze. yum.
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:29 am
I’d go to whichever party these tarts would be at!
Oh boy…I know what you mean though…Im so behind!
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:08 am
Oh, yeah, I hear you. Thanksgiving being late put me off my stride and now it’s already December and I’m soooo not ready. But I would still take the time to eat one of your amazing tarts.
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:20 am
I love the flavor of orange with almost anything. Your little tarts look amazing- orange, caramel and pecan…love it.
December 2nd, 2008 at 11:37 am
I’m trying to think how well a progressive dinner would work with small children and cold weather. Sounds like a lot of bundling to me. I might be up for the challenge, though.
December 2nd, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Your tarts look absolutely delicious and tasty…
I love pecan nuts!!
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:41 pm
I actually don’t have much to do for xmas because we don’t really celebrate it (we just ski our asses off), and yet I am behind on what little I have planned! Those tarts are adorable. I’m amazed that you got 9 (or now 10?) party invites. None of our local friends cook let alone entertain… and I’m personally a leeeetle tired of being the only one who does. Pet the pup and bunny for me
December 3rd, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Glad to see I’m not the only one feeling behind already. We bought our Christmas cards for this year even before last years holiday…but we don’t have stamps yet, we haven’t printed out the addresses and our next free night to do so is over a week away. Considering we send out over 250 cards, this takes DAYS to do!
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:39 pm
At least you are well loved and in demand, right?
Those tarts sound great – orange sounds like the Holidays to me too though, but it is because I remember back in the day when we would stud little clementines with cloves and ribbon them and hang them on our tree. I am hoping to reinstate the tradition this year, but we’ll see.
Have fun!!
December 4th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
I’m crazy about orange and pecans together – these tarts look very moreish, Pea.
I haven’t been able to get into holiday feeling just yet. I sometimes feel a bit blue at this time of the year. But ever since I started blogging you and the other blogging friends I have made have really brought a special meaning to it.
December 4th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Love the pecan tarts! They look delicious. If it makes you feel any better, here it is December 4th, I have no cards bought, no tree yet and all decorations are in storage. I’ve got lots to do this weekend! Love your photos! Have fun at your parties!
December 8th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
quite the busy bee this holiday season, huh? i’m not a nut fan but if i were, i would gobble up that tart in no time