This sugar cookie–like dough has a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture when baked. Use it for any of the tarts in this chapter. For a single tart shell, make half the recipe (or make the full amount and wrap half of the dough and refrigerate or freeze for future use).
Whisk together in a medium bowl:
Beat in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer until smooth:
Add and beat until smooth:
Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Beat in until combined:
Scrape down the sides of the bowl again and add the flour mixture. Mix on low speed until the butter and flour are combined and crumbly, but do not mix so long that the dough is a completely smooth mass. Add:
Mix on low speed until the dough comes together. Divide the dough in half for large tarts or into 10 equal pieces for tartlets. Flatten each into a disk and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Before using, allow the dough to sit at room temperature until pliable but not soft.
Roll out the dough between two pieces of parchment paper. Transfer to one or two 10-inch tart pan(s) or ten 3-inch tartlet pans or rings and press the dough gently into the corners. Fit the dough into the pan as directed in Lining a Pie or Tart Pan with Dough. Prick the dough all over with a fork and freeze for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Line the tart shell(s) with parchment paper and fill halfway with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until golden, about 25 minutes. Remove the parchment paper and weights and bake 5 minutes more. Let cool completely before filling.