Roses and Gold. A Rose Water Tart

The past couple of weeks have been filled with exciting new projects and surprises, although one surprise was rather unpleasant. It involved our Churro bear having surgery. I’m glad to report that he is doing very well,  so well that he’s been outside chasing bees (bees!). One thing is for sure, summer already seems like it’s passing by too quickly. Time to grab hold before it’s all gone! I think one of the best ways to do that is to crystallize rose petals, because you can find the most vivid and fragrant organic rose petals during summer months. 

I’d like to say there’s nothing fancy going on with this tart, but who am I kidding? Candied rose petals and edible gold leaf is pretty fancy. But there’s simplicity too. Strawberry jam is layered onto buttery tart crust and then everything is covered in rose-scented white chocolate ganache. Going the extra mile with petals and gold leaf just makes it even more dreamy.

Fresh egg white is traditionally used as the “glue” that holds sugar onto the petals, but I like to use meringue powder mixed with water. Besides being safer than fresh egg white, it’s lightly scented with vanilla! It hardens just as well as regular egg whites and, in my opinion, it’s more delicious.

I try to use the crystallized petals within a couple of days after drying because they darken over time, but that’s just personal preference. They will keep for up to 10 days if stored in an air-tight container, and they are still very pretty after they darken.

The small amount of rose water used in the white chocolate ganache is a nice compliment to the strawberry preserves in this tart. It tastes more fruity than floral and does a little dance on your tongue that says “flowers belong in dessert!“.

If you are new to using edible gold leaf, you’ll find that it’s very delicate and just exhaling normally will cause a sheet to fly across the room like a feather! I like to hold one corner down with the tissue included in the packaging and tear pieces away with a pair of dedicated decorating tweezers.

If you’re looking to buy, I found edible gold leaf here

White Chocolate Rose Water Tart

[click for printable version]

Source: SprinkleBakes original recipe (tart crust from the SprinkleBakes book)

One 12-inch rectangular tart pan

Prep: 1 hour; total about 2 hours 15 minutes with chilling

1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading

3 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 lb (1 stick) cold butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 egg yolk

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon cold water

1 cup low sugar strawberry jam or preserves

12 oz. good quality white chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 teaspoon rose water

1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

Candied rose petals (recipe follows)

Edible gold leaf

  1. Lightly grease a 12-inch rectangular tart pan with baking spray or clear vegetable shortening. Pulse the flour, sugar and salt in a food processor until combined. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal with some small pea-size butter lumps. Add the egg yolk, vanilla and water and pulse until just incorporated and the dough begins to form clumps. 
  2. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead together slightly. Gather the dough together and form into a ball. Flatten into a rectangle. Press the dough over the bottom and up the sides of the pan in an even layer with well-floured fingers. Chill the shell for 45 minutes. 
  3. Preheat the oven to 375F. Lightly prick the bottom of the shell with the tines of a fork and bake until the sides are set and the edge is golden, about 20 minutes. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  4. When the tart shell is cool, spread the 1 cup strawberry preserves over the crust.  
  5. Combine the white chocolate and heavy cream in a medium saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Whisk slowly until the chocolate is melted and incorporated into the heavy cream. Gently whisk in the rose water. Allow the ganache to cool until just warm and still pourable. Gently pour the ganache over the strawberry preserves. Place the tart in the refrigerator until the ganache is set. 
  6. When the ganache is firm, sift the confectioners’ sugar over the tart and decorate with candied rose petals and edible gold leaf.

Crystallized Rose Petals

[click for printable version]

Source: SprinkleBakes original recipe

Yield: 20 candied petals

Prep: about 1 hour; total 24 hours with drying time

20 Blemish-free organic rose petals

1 tablespoon meringue powder

½ tablespoon warm water

½ cup extra-fine granulated sugar

Artists’ brush

Wire rack for drying

  1. Mix together the meringue powder and water in a small
    condiment cup. Pour the extra fine sugar in a separate small bowl. Dip the paint
    brush into the diluted meringue and brush a light, even coat onto the front and back
    of a rose petal. Dip the petal in the granulated sugar and place on wire rack.
    You can also place the petals upright in a clean egg crate to give them
    dimension. Repeat process with remaining petals until all are
    coated.  Let dry at room temperature
    until crisp. This will take several hours, and overnight is preferred.
  2. Use for a decorative garnish or store in an air-tight
    container until ready for use.
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Anna
Anna
10 years ago

Sooooo pretty! I'm finding as I keep evolving my style I keep coming back to edible flowers, something I tried to curb my love for in the past. I think people are embracing them more readily now. Must get the cooking with flowers book!

Glad little Churro is doing ok…I hope he doesn't actually catch any bees :/

tempo.dk
tempo.dk
10 years ago

Just beautiful.

Patricia @ ButterYum
Patricia @ ButterYum
10 years ago

so elegant – absolutely lovely.

Renewal
Renewal
10 years ago

Wow this is so unbelievably gorgeous!!

Brigette Olmos-Arreola
Brigette Olmos-Arreola
10 years ago

Gorgous photos as always! I love adding a hint of rose to summer and spring treats. I shared a recipe for water madelines a couple months ago. Can't wait to try this tart!

Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
10 years ago

This is so unique!! Love this!

Rosa's Yummy Yums
Rosa's Yummy Yums
10 years ago

Exquisite! This tart must taste just divine.

Good to know that your Churro Bear is doing well.

Cheers,

Rosa

Unknown
Unknown
10 years ago

Aww so good to hear your dog is doing well. best wishes for his recovery.

This tart is almost too pretty to eat!

JUEGO DE SABORES
JUEGO DE SABORES
10 years ago

Un postre de auténtico lujo,muy fino y delicado, como la forma de presentarlo.
Saludos
Blanca de JUEGO DE SABORES

Allie | Baking A Moment
Allie | Baking A Moment
10 years ago

Love this, Heather! I adore rose and berry together! As a matter of fact, I just yesterday posted a recipe for Raspberry Cream Scones with Rosewater Glaze… great minds think alike (sort of), I guess ;). I have always wanted to try my hand at candied rose petals; yours are so beautiful with the edible gold leaf. You have such an incredible talent for always adding that perfect, extra, elegant touch. <3

Unknown
Unknown
10 years ago

My goodness. I feel like I should be drinking fancy tea in London while eating this tart. It looks so elegant.

Nessa
Nessa
10 years ago

So delicate-looking and elegant! This is something that should be served to the Queen 🙂

Cookin' Canuck
Cookin' Canuck
10 years ago

What a beautiful tart! I'd think I'd have to sit and looks at it for a good 20 minutes before digging in.

Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
10 years ago

So so pretty! In fact, way too pretty to devour!! I love rose water and the combo with strawberry here. Yum!

Kristin
Kristin
10 years ago

Beautiful!

ashley - baker by nature
ashley - baker by nature
10 years ago

This is definitely one of the most beautiful tarts I have EVER seen. Just lovely! I don't think I'd be able to eat it… but then again, I probably would 😉

Sarah
Sarah
10 years ago

I hope churro is doing ok! This looks beautiful in other news.

ThisGirlBlogs
ThisGirlBlogs
10 years ago

Such a beautiful and delicate looking dessert 🙂
http://www.thisbakergirlblogs.com

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Hi Heather, I have been following for awhile but this is the first time I have commented. This tart is so elegant, simply beautiful and your photography just highlights how stunning it looks. Thanks for sharing!

Tieghan
Tieghan
10 years ago

Gorgeous!

C Tanner Jensen
C Tanner Jensen
10 years ago

This is so beautiful. I think it should be featured at every Bridal Shower.

petal and plume
petal and plume
10 years ago

this is exceptionally beautiful – so unique and dreamlike!
xx

mjla2007
mjla2007
10 years ago

Is this the same crust used for the chocolate caramel sea salt tart, so I can just adjust it for a 12 inch crust?
TY

Unknown
Unknown
10 years ago

This is stunning and sounds so good!

Pattern Patisserie
Pattern Patisserie
10 years ago

How heavenly…..

Vanessa [theteensytinyinsignificantdetails]
Vanessa [theteensytinyinsignificantdetails]
10 years ago

Gosh, how beautiful! I love rosewater anything no matter what it looks like, but this is simply gorgeous 🙂

We Are Not Martha
We Are Not Martha
10 years ago

This is stunning!! And I'm sure it's absolutely delicious, too!

Sues

Unknown
Unknown
10 years ago

This is just a beautiful dessert. Oh my!!!!

Lokness @ The Missing Lokness
Lokness @ The Missing Lokness
10 years ago

This is so elegant and beautiful. A piece of artwork!

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

This is the most incredibly beautiful dessert I have ever seen! Makes me feel like I am visiting the queen. 🙂

IFeelCook
IFeelCook
10 years ago

Incredibly beautiful!! It's so nice 🙂

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Heather where do you find rose petals for the tart? Your really talented and i love your blog. I'm only 12 but hopefully i can make this.

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
10 years ago

I have a local organic grocery store that carries them. If you have on in your area, check there, or check at a local florist. If they don't have them readily available, they could probably order them for you.

Good luck with the tart!

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
10 years ago

*one, not "on"!

Anonymous
Anonymous
8 years ago

Do you have to use low sugar jam?

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
8 years ago

Hi! You can use regular jam, but the end result will be sweeter. You may prefer to serve smaller slices of tart. Thanks for asking!