Dannie will probably tell you that this is Aunt Zoe's Cherry Tart, but to us Harpers it will always be "Dannie's Cherry Tart."  This is a classic Harper recipe and the perfect way to kick off our food blog.  Who's hungry?  Let's get started!

You'll need sugar, flour, butter, pecans, Dream Whip (only one box, not two like in the picture), cream cheese, vanilla, milk and cherry pie filling.  It's best if you leave your cream cheese and butter out to soften for a couple hours ahead of time.

There are three parts to this recipe: The crust, the cream filling, and the cherry goodness.

First, start with the crust.  If you didn't leave your butter out to soften (you rebel!), just cut it into 6-8 pieces, put it on a plate, and put it in the microwave for about 8-10 seconds, give or take depending on your microwave power.  It should be soft to the touch but not liquid.  Like butter.


Add your softened butter, flour, sugar, and chopped pecans to a 9x13 inch glass baking dish. Your dish does not need to be greased (now is a good time to preheat your oven!).

Then get yourself a cute assistant and get her to mash it up.  It should be crumbly, it will look like sand with pecans in it.  The butter will be a great moisturizer for us desert dwellers.

Dannie taught me to gently pat it down.  Don't press it hard or it will be too dense.

Bake it for 10-20 minutes at 400 degrees (my oven took 17 minutes for golden brown perfection).

While it's still warm, take a fork and run it through the crust.  You'll crumble it up into nice bite size pieces.  Then pat it back down (gently! Unless you like chewing a brick) and let it cool completely.  It will take about one hour to cool down on the counter (or faster in the fridge if you're not patient, or have an angry, hungry  mob of Harpers waiting for Cherry Tart).


While the crust was baking, my cute assistant and I worked on the cream filling.  Dream Whip isn't a familiar ingredient to many of us.  I usually find it in the baking aisle near the Jello mixes.  It comes in a box with two envelopes of Dream Whip mix inside.  You'll use two envelopes of mix (sold together in one box of Dream Whip) for this recipe.

Mix the Dream Whip according to the package directions with a mixer (add milk and vanilla, and then mix for about 4 minutes, until it thickens and forms peaks).  You can mix both envelopes at once.  It will be creamy and white (like something dreamy and whipped).  Then add sugar, cream cheese and more vanilla and mix until smooth.  It's very important that your cream cheese be at room temperature or when you try to mix it in it will look like cottage cheese.  Your Cherry Tart will thank you for leaving the cream cheese out at room temperature for several hours.

When you're done it will look like shiny frosting and have about the same consistency.



When you're done mixing, get a second cute assistant to clean your beater.

If your crust still isn't cool, put your bowl of cream filling in the fridge.  When the crust is cool just pour it on top and spread it over the crust.


Next, add your cherry pie filling with a spoon.  Dannie taught me to put them on 2 cherries at a time.  But it was late so I plopped on 5 or more at a time.  It all tastes the same when you eat it!  But her's will be prettier!

Look at those layers of goodness! Now chill it for 3 hours.  Or not, I won't judge you.

Next, feed it to a Harper.  They will thank you!

Since Dannie taught me this recipe I have made it twice.  Once when we lived in Indiana and then this time just for the blog.  She's the expert and Mom makes it best.  However, if you live far away and long for a taste of home, make a cherry tart!  I forgot how easy it is!  It makes 2 or 12 or 16 servings depending on your weight loss or gain plan.

And now for the prizes!  As the winner of our first food blog contest, for naming this blog, Summer will recieve a box of Dream Whip and two cans of cherry pie filling, and maybe some other non-perishable ingredients if I can fit it in the box.  Not only did Summer show great creativity in choosing a name, but she took into account our Harper Trek-i-ness.  Good job, Summer!

For submitting name ideas, our runner up is Heidi.  She received a box of Dream Whip and also did a good job modelling her prize. Thanks, Heidi!
Here is the full recipe:

Dannie's Cherry Tart
Serves: 12 (or less, I won't judge you)
Time: A couple hours since you have to let the crust cool.  Never too long to make a Harper's day!

Crust:
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup pecans, chopped
2 cups flour
1 cup butter, softened

Topping:
2 envelopes Dream Whip, sold together in one box
1 cup cold milk (according to Dream Whip directions)
1/2 tsp. vanilla (according to Dream Whip directions)
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla, in addition to vanilla previously added

2 cans cherry pie filling

1.    In a 9x13 inch pan, crumble crust ingredients together and lightly smooth onto bottom of pan.

2.    Bake at 400 degrees for 10-20 minutes, until browning on sides and top.  My oven took 17 minutes.

3.    While still warm, crumble and gently pat onto bottom of pan.  Let cool.  It takes one hour to cool on the counter.

4.    Mix Dream Whip according to directions on package.

5.    Add cream cheese, sugar and vanilla; mix well.

6.    Spread over cooled crust.  Spoon cherry filling to top of filling.

7.    Chill for 3 hours and serve.