Dalmatinska kolač od smokvi – Dalmatian fig tart

Dalmatinska kolač od smokvi – Dalmatian fig tart

Dalmatinska kolač od smokvi - Dalmatian fig tart

I’m really digging all the fresh figs we have around us right now. And they’re so cheap! It’s all too easy to simply shove them into my mouth – hoovering them up in a flash, but that’s of no benefit to you, is it?

Dalmatinska kolač od smokvi - Dalmatian fig tart

For a couple of years now, I’ve been meaning to make this Croatian fig tart that comes from the stunning Dalmatian coast. A creamy filling sweetened with golden honey and studded with fresh figs that look like jewelled, juicy cobblestones in one of the medieval villages the Dalmatian coast is known for.

Dalmatinska kolač od smokvi - Dalmatian fig tart

I’ve put my own little spin on this classic tart. Cream cheese as well as regular thick cream, plus vanilla, poppy seeds and an egg yolk to make the filling a bit more like baked custard.

Typical, huh?

I reckon a touch of lemon zest wouldn’t go astray, either.

Next time.

Dalmatinska kolač od smokvi - Dalmatian fig tart

 

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Dalmatinska kolač od smokvi - Dalmatian fig tart
Based on the tart from Croatia's Dalmatian coast, this fig tart is not only beautiful, but it tastes great too.
Dalmatinska kolač od smokvi
Course Dessert
Cuisine Croatian
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Pastry
Filling
Course Dessert
Cuisine Croatian
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Pastry
Filling
Dalmatinska kolač od smokvi
Instructions
Pastry
  1. Rub the butter into the flour, salt and sugar until fine. Mix through the yolk and cream until it all comes together. Alternatively, put the flour, salt, sugar and butter into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until fine, then add the yolk and cream and pulse a few times more.
  2. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and bring together into one mass. Lay a sheet of plastic wrap onto the work bench. Put the dough in the centre and lay another sheet of plastic over the top. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a uniform 27 cm disc, making sure it's perfectly round with smooth edges and no cracks.
  3. Remove the top layer of plastic, flip the pastry disc over and lay it into a 23 cm loose-bottomed tart tin - with the plastic now on the top side. Carefully peel away the plastic and discard. Gently press the pastry into the base of the tin and up the sides to form an even edge.
  4. Put the prepared tart base into the freezer for 20-30 minutes.
  5. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
  6. Blind bake the pastry case (lay a piece of baking paper on top of the pastry and fill it with weights - I used rice) for 10-15 minutes. Remove the paper and weights and bake for a further 5 minutes. If it puffs up, just prick a hole in the pastry to allow the air to escape.
  7. Take the prepared pastry base out of the oven and set it aside. Reduce the oven temperature to 170°C.
Filling
  1. Put the cream cheese, cream, vanilla, honey and poppy seeds into a small saucepan over low heat. Stir gently until soft and the sugar has dissolved. Add the egg yolk and continue to whisk over low heat for 5 minutes. The mixture must not be simmering or it will scramble!
  2. Pour the still-hot filling into the prepared pastry base, spread it around evenly and top with the halved figs.
  3. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the custard is set and a little golden on the edges. Cool completely before removing from the tin.
  4. Serve with cream, ice cream or any sinful accompaniment you desire.
Share this Recipe
  • Divine. Simple as that. Your filling is similar to one I made in Italy with mascarpone, cream, honey, and saffron. Never thought of it with figs!

    • Now that sounds really nice as well, David. Nice touch with the saffron!

  • I’ve never wanted to sink my teeth into a jewelled cobblestone before but you got me with this picture of lusciousness.

  • Sabrina Russo

    Absolutely gorgeous tart!

  • KevinIsCooking

    Mmm, we have a fig tree and this looks beyond delicious. Now if I can just get them before the birds do when they ripen I’d be happy. I was just at the spice market near me and stumbled upon white poppy seeds, never saw them before – you? Just love the styling and photos here John, beautiful.

    • I’m envious of your fig tree, Kevin. Yes, I actually have a jar of white poppy seeds in the spice cupboard!

  • What a beautiful vehicle for the figs!

  • Sara (Belly Rumbles)

    I know, figs right! Loving it at the moment (though moment is passing all too quickly). Love your little twists on recipes, they are sort of an expected HNF standard these days.

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