Twilight Tomato Tart with Herb Crust

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A savory tart featuring deep red heirloom tomatoes and a flaky herb crust, capturing the rich hues of a Calgary sunset. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 60 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 280 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.

★ 3.9 (8 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Pulse 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cold cubed unsalted butter, and 1/4 tsp salt in a food processor until crumbly, then add 2 tbsp ice water and pulse until dough forms.
  2. Step 2: Press dough evenly into a 9-inch tart pan, prick with a fork, and chill for 15 minutes before baking blind for 12 minutes until golden.
  3. Step 3: While crust bakes, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, add 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion and 2 cups thinly sliced heirloom tomatoes, cooking for 8 minutes until tomatoes soften and release juices.
  4. Step 4: Season the tomato mixture with 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh thyme, and 1 tsp balsamic vinegar, then spread evenly over the baked crust.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Gruyère cheese over tomatoes, bake for 10 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles, then top with 2 tbsp torn fresh basil.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Twilight Tomato Tart with Herb Crust take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (25 min prep + 35 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 Twilight Tomato Tart with Herb Crust?

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 Twilight Tomato Tart with Herb Crust?

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 Twilight Tomato Tart with Herb Crust 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 Twilight Tomato Tart with Herb Crust 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes