I love to pair figs and cheese. Nothing beats that sweet and savory combination. I used mascarpone and a bit of cream cheese for the filling. I made one tart prior to this with goat cheese that my family deemed too strong. When they have specific criticism like that, I take it pretty seriously, considering 99% of the time, they’ve inhaled my desserts before they can properly assess for flavor, taste, texture, which I’m doing constantly throughout the baking process and after I’ve served it. I swapped for mascarpone and am very happy with the results.

If I am forever known as the crazy pink pearl apple girl, I’ll gladly accept it. On Instagram, I tried to give myself the title “unofficial pink pearl apple ambassador” so it sounds less obsessive but honestly, I am truly, madly, deeply in love with these fruits.

This chocolate-salted caramel tart is inspired by the Twix bar. It has always been my favorite because it reminds me more of a dessert than candy. I like the different textures. Creamy and crunchy. When I was a kid, I used to get the jumbo bar pack at Costco.