Caramelized Shallot and Gruyère Tart with Thyme
A savory tart featuring sweet caramelized shallots and nutty Gruyère cheese, accented by fresh thyme on a buttery pastry crust. This french-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 80 minutes layers all-purpose flour, cubed cold unsalted butter, ice water into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 7 tbsp, cubed cold unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp ice water
- 5 medium, thinly sliced shallots
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 cup, grated Gruyère cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour and 7 tbsp cold unsalted butter cubes, using your fingertips or a pastry cutter to blend until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add 3 tbsp ice water, stirring until dough just comes together. Form into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: While dough chills, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 5 thinly sliced shallots and 1 tsp granulated sugar. Cook gently, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes until shallots are deeply golden and caramelized. Stir in 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves and remove from heat.
- Step 3: Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll chilled dough on a floured surface into a 10-inch circle and transfer to a 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Press dough evenly into pan and trim edges.
- Step 4: Sprinkle 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese evenly over tart shell. Spread caramelized shallots on top.
- Step 5: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 large egg, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth. Pour mixture evenly over shallots and cheese.
- Step 6: Bake tart at 375°F for 30-35 minutes until custard is set and crust is golden. Cool 10 minutes before slicing.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Caramelized Shallot and Gruyère Tart with Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (40 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Caramelized Shallot and Gruyère Tart with Thyme?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Caramelized Shallot and Gruyère Tart with Thyme?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Caramelized Shallot and Gruyère Tart with Thyme for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Caramelized Shallot and Gruyère Tart with Thyme vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
