Elevate your holiday table with this irresistible Maple Honey Glazed Carrot and Bacon Tart. This cozy, festive dish combines the earthy sweetness of roasted carrots, the smoky crunch of crispy bacon, and a lush, golden honey-maple glaze for a flavor explosion that will have your guests raving. Prepare to wow with this chef-crafted, crowd-pleasing tart that’s sure to become a new seasonal favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Maple Honey Glazed Carrot and Bacon Tart
Indulge in the perfect marriage of savory and sweet with this Maple Honey Glazed Carrot and Bacon Tart. The combination of caramelized, tender-roasted carrots and smoky, crispy bacon is elevated by a luscious, zesty glaze that seeps into every bite. This hearty tart is a show-stopping centerpiece that’s surprisingly easy to make, with foolproof instructions that guarantee reliable results. Serve it up as a comforting, crowd-pleasing main or a unique, flavorful side that’s sure to delight at any holiday gathering.
Ingredients
This recipe calls for a delightful blend of seasonal ingredients that come together to create a truly craveable tart. You’ll need carrots, bacon, shallots, garlic, fresh thyme, a flaky pie crust, maple syrup, honey, and a few pantry staples.
- 1 lb (450 g) – Carrots, peeled and sliced into coins
- 6 slices – Bacon, cooked until crispy
- 2 – Shallots, minced
- 3 cloves – Garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp – Fresh thyme leaves
Ingredient Substitutions
- Bacon: Pecans or walnuts (for a nut-based crunch)
- Meat: Omit bacon and use extra-virgin olive oil (for a vegetarian version)
How to Make Maple Honey Glazed Carrot and Bacon Tart
Begin by preheating your oven and preparing the ingredients. Then, follow these simple steps for a showstopping tart that’s sure to impress.
Step 1: Prep Work
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Peel and slice the carrots into evenly-sized coins, then toss them with 2 tbsp of olive oil, 1/2 tsp of salt, and 1/4 tsp of black pepper. Arrange the carrots in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, until they’re tender and caramelized.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
While the carrots are roasting, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving 2 tbsp of the bacon fat in the pan. Sauté the minced shallots and garlic in the reserved bacon fat for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant. Deglaze the pan with a splash of water, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of maple syrup and 2 tbsp of honey. Add the roasted carrots, sautéed shallots and garlic, and crispy bacon to a flaky pie crust. Drizzle the maple-honey glaze over the top, then bake the tart for 25-30 minutes, until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Let the tart cool slightly, then garnish with fresh thyme sprigs for a beautiful, festive presentation. Serve this Maple Honey Glazed Carrot and Bacon Tart warm, with a dollop of whipped cream or crème fraîche for an extra-lush, indulgent touch.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Richer Filling: Fold in 4 oz (115 g) of creamy goat cheese or feta into the filling for a more decadent tart.
- Crunchy Topping: Sprinkle 1/2 cup (60 g) of toasted chopped pecans or walnuts over the top of the tart for a welcome crunch.
- Make-Ahead: Bake the tart up to 2 days in advance, then reheat it gently in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes before serving.
- Alternative Glaze: Swap the maple-honey glaze for a balsamic reduction or a simple brown sugar glaze for a different flavor profile.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: a fresh green salad or your favorite seasonal vegetable side.
Storage: Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Reheat individual slices in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or in the microwave for 30-60 seconds.
Make-Ahead: You can bake the tart up to 2 days in advance and reheat it gently before serving.
Nutrition Information
This Maple Honey Glazed Carrot and Bacon Tart is a hearty, satisfying dish that’s packed with essential nutrients. Each serving provides a good source of fiber, vitamin A, and antioxidants from the carrots, as well as a boost of protein from the bacon. The honey and maple syrup add natural sweetness, while the flaky crust provides a comforting, carb-rich base.
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of the tart)
- Calories: 325 kcal
- Protein: 8 g
- Carbs: 35 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Sodium: 440 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make this tart vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, simply omit the bacon and use extra-virgin olive oil in place of the bacon fat. Pecans or walnuts make a tasty alternative to the bacon for a nut-based crunch.
Can I make this tart ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake the tart up to 2 days in advance. Simply reheat it gently in the oven before serving to ensure it’s warm and the crust is crisp.
What should I serve with this tart?
This Maple Honey Glazed Carrot and Bacon Tart is a fantastic main dish, but it also makes a wonderful side to roasted meats, poultry, or fish. For a complete meal, pair it with a fresh green salad or your favorite seasonal vegetable side.
How do I prevent the crust from getting soggy?
To keep the crust flaky and crisp, be sure to blind bake the pie crust before adding the filling. This helps create a barrier against the moisture from the filling. You can also use a store-bought pre-baked crust if you prefer.
Can I use a different type of glaze?
Absolutely! While the maple-honey glaze is delicious, you can easily swap it out for other flavor combinations. A balsamic reduction or a simple brown sugar glaze would also be tasty.
Try These Next
- maple glazed breakfast bacon and egg casserole
- maple glazed sweet potato bacon bites
- maple bacon overnight oats for a sweet start
Maple Honey Glazed Carrot and Bacon Tart
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: 🎉 Festive & Seasonal Feasts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A delicious tart featuring roasted carrots glazed with maple and honey, complemented by crispy bacon for a perfect festive dish.
Ingredients
– 1 sheet of puff pastry
– 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into thin rounds
– 4 strips of bacon, chopped
– 2 tablespoons maple syrup
– 1 tablespoon honey
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh thyme for garnish
Instructions
1. 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. 2. In a skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.
3. 3. Add sliced carrots to the skillet and sauté in the bacon drippings for about 5 minutes.
4. 4. Stir in maple syrup, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until the carrots are tender and caramelized.
5. 5. Roll out the puff pastry on a baking sheet and create a border around the edges.
6. 6. Spread the caramelized carrots evenly over the pastry and sprinkle the crispy bacon on top.
7. 7. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown.
8. 8. Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh thyme, and serve warm.
Notes
– For added flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of feta cheese on top before serving.
– This tart can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: tart, carrots, bacon, maple, honey