Grandma Minnie's Peach Tarts

Here's another great way to use canned peaches -- my Grandma Minnie's Peach Tarts! Elegant enough for a French pastry tray this tart has a crust that's easy to prepare.

1/4 cup boiling water
1/3 cup shortening
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 egg yolk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 package (3 ounces) vanilla pudding
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
1 egg white
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup nuts, sliced or chopped
1 can (15 ounces) sliced peaches, drained
Maraschino cherries (optional)

In a medium sized mixing bowl pour boiling water over shortening. Stir until smooth; add lemon juice and egg yolk. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; add to shortening mixture, mix well. Chill for 1 hour. Divide dough into 6 equal portions. Roll out 1/8" thick on well-floured board. Fit dough rounds on 3-1/2" or 4" tart pans. Place on baking sheet, prick with fork, chill for 1/2 hour then prick again. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Cool.

Prepare pudding according to directions on box, add almond extract. Chill. When ready to serve, beat egg white until frothy, add sugar then spread egg mixture on the rims of the tarts. Dip rims in the sliced or chopped nuts. Spoon equal portions of pudding into tart shells. Top with drained peaches and maraschino cherries, if desired.