Martha Stewart's New Pies and Tarts: 150 Recipes for Old-Fashioned and Modern Favorites: A Baking Book

by Martha Stewart

The perfect sweet (or savory) for any occasion
 
Filled with seasonal fruit, piled high with billowy meringue, or topped with buttery streusel, pies and tarts are comforting and foolproof. In Martha Stewart’s New Pies and Tarts, the editors of Martha Stewart Living include 150 recipes: Some are savory, some are sweet; some are simple enough for a weeknight, while others are fancy enough for special events. Throughout, readers will find plenty of fillings and crusts, basics, and techniques for creating flavors and textures for every taste—from down-home classics that come together easily with fresh berries and stone fruits to modern tarts layered with chocolate ganache or finished with a wine glaze. There are also individual hand pies, savory comforts like quiche and potpie, holiday-worthy desserts for nearly every  occasion, and much more.
 
Chapters feature pies and tarts for everyone: Classic (Lattice-Top Blueberry Pie, Pumpkin Pie), Free-form (Apricot-Pistachio Tart, Apple Butter Hand Pies), Sleek (Caramelized Lemon Tart, Chocolate Mousse Tart with Hazelnuts), Dreamy (Frozen Chocolate–Peanut Butter Pie, Butterscotch Praline Cream Pie), Rustic (Cheddar-Crust Apple Pie, Blackberry Jam Tart), Layered (Rainbow Puff-Pastry Tarts, Chocolate Pear
Tart), Dainty (Roasted Fig Tartlets, Cranberry Meringue Mini Pies), Artful (Peach-Raspberry Slab Pie, Pumpkin and Ricotta Crostata), Holiday (Neapolitan Easter Pie,
Gingerbread-Raspberry Snowflake Tart), and Savory (Leek and Olive Tart, Summer Squash Lattice Tart).
 
As is expected from Martha Stewart, this book is at once a feast for the eyes and the palate, as well as a practical teaching tool. Each dish is accompanied by a lush, four-color photograph. Throughout the book are simple instructions for decorative crusts and finishing techniques (latticework, cutouts, classic edgings). A complete Basics section of tools, pantry staples, and dough recipes (pâte brisée, cream cheese dough, press-in
cookie crusts, puff pastry), plus plenty of tips and make-ahead tricks, help readers along the way. Whether making an effortless, free-form galette or the perfect latticework
pie, bakers of all skill levels will look again and again to Martha Stewart’s New Pies and Tarts.
 
Martha Stewart Living magazine was first published in 1990. Since then, more than three dozen books have been published by the magazine’s editors. Martha Stewart is the author of dozens of bestselling books on cooking, entertaining, gardening, weddings, and decorating. She is the host of The Martha Stewart Show, the popular daily syndicated television program.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction, Reference

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Martha Helen Stewart is an American retail businesswoman, writer, and television personality. As the founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, focusing on home and hospitality, she gained success through a variety of business ventures, encompassing publishing, broadcasting, merchandising and e-commerce. She has written numerous bestselling books, was the publisher of Martha Stewart Living magazine and hosted two syndicated television programs: Martha Stewart Living, which ran from 1993 to 2004, and The Martha Stewart Show, which ran from 2005 to 2012.
In 2004, Stewart was convicted of felony charges related to the ImClone stock trading case; she served five months in federal prison for fraud and was released in March 2005. There was speculation that the incident would effectively end her media empire, but in 2005 Stewart began a comeback campaign and her company returned to profitability in 2006. Stewart rejoined the board of directors of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in 2011 and became chairwoman of her namesake company again in 2012. The company was acquired by Sequential Brands in 2015. Sequential Brands Group agreed in April 2019 to sell Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, including the Emeril brand, to Marquee Brands for $175 million with benchmarked additional payments.

Reviews

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martha is the GOAT of cookbooks for a reason. Color photographs for each recipe, simple guides and detailed recipes make this a must read for any baker. It's still the only simple pie crust recipe I don't mess up.

[Weatherly Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this cookbook. With other Martha Stewart cookbooks I have found that some of her savory recipes are overly complicated and that the seasonings are bland. This was an excellent combination of basic and more complex recipes. It has helpful pictures and it is layed out in very helpful categories.

[Quince · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! So many pies to cook! And so little time! ;-)

[Vjera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures. Recipes look straightforward, almost all fit on one page.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I flicked through this and nothing really caught my eye. The only thing I was interested in was the Cheddar-Crust Apple Pie (sounds intriguing). Everything else just didn't stand out to me. Not a book I will reference in the future.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pies are pretty basic, but the savory section was intriguing. The cauliflower-hazelnut hand pies are a great idea, I've only ever associated savory hand pies with basic meat pies.

[Beka · Rating 3 out of 5]

As expected, a great collection of pie and tart recipes.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to go lie down after I read this, thank god my man can bake

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Presentation, the book was published in 1985, so the photographs have that yellow orange tinge that was popular back then and for me that is not an appetizing color (which is why when shooting I use Fuji film [blues & greens] rather than Kodak).

Some recipes sound fantastic: Blackberry Heart; Lemon Curd Tart; and the Creme Brulee Tartlets. But there are those I'll have to pass up: Parsnip-Carrot Pie: Beet Pie; Sweet Spinach Pie not to mention the fact that several of her pies & tarts look burnt on top!

Book is broken down into the following chapters: Apples: Pears: Peaches, Plums, Apricots & Nectarines; Berries; Citrus Fruits; Other Fruits; Vegetables; Nuts; Chocolate, Custards & Cremes; The Pie Party; and Master recipes & Techniques.

I prefer easier to make desserts, with the truth being.... I much prefer to eat a dessert that someone else has made, I'll stick to cooking dinner!

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best and most thorough pie and tart cookbook I have ever seen! It came quickly after ordering on Amazon.com, and easy to read with beautiful illustrations of each recipe. It is paperback, but large and very sturdy. The cover is a wipe free paper product which will be useful for we bakers who dig into the dough. Great tips, clear and simplistic instructions--and a variety of pies and tarts that would appeal to bakers for all occasions! I love that you can also use store bought puff pastry, which still results in beautiful homemade versions. I hope to bake as many of the selections as possible over the holidays to give as gifts. I am already increasing my workout sessions as a precaution! Happy Baking!

[Marathon County Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over 150 recipes for old and new favorite pies and tarts are in this book. From a family celebration to a simple weeknight dessert, you will find a recipe that is perfect. Each recipe has a full-page color picture along with many suggestions to make it easy to prepare. Grab this book, head to your kitchen and pantry, and surprise your family tonight with a dessert that is sure to please.

Paula L. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

My star rating is due to there not being many new recipes. I've been a subscriber to MSL for about 5 years and most of the really special recipes in this book were ones I'd already seen in the magazine. There are one or two that I haven't seen before that I'll copy, but not enough new material for me to justify buying this book.

As for the recipes themselves, I can say for a fact that the Concord Grape Tart and Blackberry Tart (called Old Bachelor Jam Tart in the magazine version of the recipe) are wonderful! Even if you don't have time or the equipment to make these jams yourself, you should still try the tarts -- they are delicious!

[Jenny (Reading Envy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not always a fan of Martha Stewart's recipes. There, I said it. So I was surprised by this book - every recipe sounds like something I'd be excited to make and serve, and the colorful instructions for the basics at the back of the book are the best I've seen. There are a sprinkling of gluten-free, vegan, and kosher-friendly recipes throughout the book as well, which is a nice addition. I know I will be returning to this one for ideas. Tonight, I made the roasted cauliflower hand pies.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whole lot of yum. From classics to more modern this book has a lot.

Gorgeous pictures for inspiration and a variety of methods and difficulty levels, this is a great update from traditional recipes, and/or a good place to start.

My only word of caution, as with all Martha recipes is watch the unsalted butter (I find over use makes things bland) and sugar levels (not enough...well you know)

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the presentation in her latest books (already have the cupcake one and plan to get the cookie one). Stunning photos that make you want to make everything! A fun categorization of pies, too (even some brunch ones toward the end). Also love the little intros with every recipe. And the back section has good tutorials and tips. Can't wait to make some pies!

[Junita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way this cookbook is organized: by type of recipe instead of seasonally. Why yes, I would love to get lost in the "Dreamy" chapter (Apricot Chiffon Tart) and they come back down to earth by browsing "Rustic" chapter (Cheddar-crust Apple Pie). Gorgeous eye candy, too, as is typical with the Martha Stewart team of elves.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Just have loved every pie so far. Not sure why, but the pumpkin custard is the best one anyone who tried it had ever had . . . And my nephews LOVE pumpkin. The chocolate pistachio was a big hit, and kept moist even for several days. I started with the Fresh Peach w/ Creme Fraiche, which was beautiful And rich! Really a beautiful, fabulous resource!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always like to check out Martha's books from the library to see if they're worth a purchase. This one was full of tantalizing recipes I can't wait to try. As always some recipes are a bit too much, I have found that my mothers tried and true custard pie recipe can't be beat, the time and ingredients involved in Martha's was a bit too much. This one is going on my to by list!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is in the mail right now and I can't wait to try the recipes! I haven't been a big pie or tart maker in the past but I know I will find inspiration in this new book thanks to Martha and her team.

[Chara · Rating 5 out of 5]

has some overlapping recipes from Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook, but they are mostly new recipes to me. Even the recipes that overlap have new photography. Many of the recipes are very simple, and all that I have made have be extremely delicious!

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A YUM lots of Martha-esque pies. I want to eat pretty much all of them. Some look complicated, but I think I need to step it up a level and take the next challenge and learn to bake pies and tarts. I'm putting this one on my Amazon wish list.

[Megumi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually make pies or tarts but I decided to look through it just to see what it was like and the recipes looked good. I didn't make anything though because I didn't have enough supplies but found what I needed later on.

[Eliud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never made a pie before? Don’t worry Martha has your back. In this book you will find pages from pie dough making, delicious filling, even top pie art. Truly a masterpiece of a book. I always seem to come back to this book to end my American pies.

[Natashya KitchenPuppies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Martha's books! This one has every pie and tart you would ever want to make. We whipped up the Fresh Orange and Yogurt Tart as soon as we picked up the book and it turned out amazing.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some very creative interpretations of the traditional. I haven't tried any of the recipes yet but I will be using some of the designs.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reliable recipes, good instructions,yummy food.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

just picked this up at the library - oh my!

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG, I love this book. I am now in a pie and tart baking craze. Great ideas for beautiful and delicious treats!

[Png · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful pics. Love the decorative and finishing techniques making ordinary-looking desserts into extraordinary! I would buy this book.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

everything looks so yummy i want to eat it all.