APPLE PECAN TART

Steps:

• Make the Tart Crust: In bowl of food processor fitted with knife blade attachment, pulse flour, sugar and salt until combined. Add butter; process 10 to 15 seconds or until mixture resembles a coarse meal (all chunks of butter should be smaller than pea-sized). Add egg yolk; pulse until just combined. With processor running, pour ice water through feed tube in slow, steady stream and process until dough just holds together (no longer than 15 seconds). Transfer dough to work surface. Shape into disk; wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to overnight. Dough can also be frozen up to 1 month (thaw in refrigerator overnight before using). Make the Bourbon Caramel Sauce: In medium saucepan, heat sugar and water over medium heat. Cook, watching very closely, 15 minutes or until mixture turns deep amber color (swirl pan occasionally, but do not stir). Remove pan from heat and slowly stir in cream. Stir in bourbon and salt. Transfer to heat-safe container and refrigerate up to 1 week (mixture will thicken as it cools). Bring to room temperature before serving. Make the Apple & Pecan Tart: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In clean food processor fitted with knife blade attachment, process egg, pecans, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon butter, maple syrup, vanilla and salt until smooth. Lightly flour work surface and rolling pin; roll dough into 13-inch round. Transfer to 9½-inch round tart pan; pat down and cut off excess dough. Spread Maple-Pecan Butter evenly over bottom of crust; arrange apples over Maple-Pecan Butter. Sprinkle apples with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons butter. Transfer to oven and bake 1 hour or until apples are golden brown and tender. Transfer to wire rack; cool 20 minutes before serving. To serve, garnish tart with additional pecans, if desired. Slice and serve tart with Bourbon Caramel Sauce.