Tart

The classic almond mixture known as frangipane fills an almond crust. Sweet plums and a brandied glaze top it off.

The creamy tequila-orange filling contrasts perfectly with the tart cranberry topping.

There's just a wee bit of the favorite Irish spirit in these treats.

A beautiful dessert for the December entertaining season.

The rich, fruity sweetness of a late-harvest Riesling (added to a syrup that is drizzled over the free-form tart) beautifully complements the natural sugars in roasted pears.

This tart is a great last-minute dessert for just about any meal, and it's quite possible you have all the ingredients in your kitchen right now. Grind your own crumbs if you've got whole graham crackers on hand.

Sandra Hersh of Groton, Massachusetts, writes: "A wonderful dinner with out-of-town friends at Mamma Maria, in the North End of Boston, was topped off with an outstanding chocolate hazelnut tart. It was a perfect finish to a great evening. I know the pastry chef would be happy to share the recipe." This impressive-looking tart is easy because the crust is pressed into the pan rather than rolled out. The pastry chef at Mamma Maria serves it with candied hazelnuts and a chocolate sauce.

We asked pastry chef Michael Laiskonis if we could compare two versions of the custard in his tart: one made with fresh pumpkin, the other made with canned, which he likes for its reliable consistency. When we tested the two tarts, we were surprised to find that we also preferred the custard made with canned pumpkin — but the choice is yours.

Filled with a mixture of nuts, brown sugar, honey and grated orange peel, this tart will dress up any holiday table. Serve it with whipped cream and, if desired, the Orange-Cranberry Compote

At one time, musicians who entertained in Catalan countryside were paid with dried fruit and nuts. This came to be known as the "musician's dessert," which is still served to this day. Many places have updated the custom by turning the "pay" into a tart. Here's a rendition, with a rich caramel topping and sweet crust.

The tender nut crust and a vanilla bean syrup make these cheesecake-like tartlets extra special. Top with more nuts, if you like.

Chewy crusts are filled with a sweet-tart lime curd and topped with sliced mangoes.

With a crust fashioned after the popular cookie, this tart features a dark and white chocolate mocha filling. It's really more like candy and should be cut into small wedges.

This pretty tart is great with vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt.

This tart has a looser texture than typical lemon tarts. Chill overnight before serving.