“Please Die, Cupcakes,” Pleads Tarts Entrepreneur

Could tarts give cupcakes and other bakery staples a run for their money? A baker obsessed with the treat believes it will.  Her new Washington, D.C., company Black Pearl Tarts is on a mission to “raise the profile” of tarts: “Please die, cupcakes,” says Christina Marie Chambers. “It’s time for tarts to rule.” The self-taught and admittedly passionate baker insists the tart is not really a small pie. The crusts, or shells, have a different consistency, more like cookies, thanks to room-temperature butter. In addition, tarts are not served in a pan. Chambers’ tarts are filled with a variety of sweet and savory flavors, including dried fruit and red wine compote with goat cheese, poached pears and winter spices, and smoked salmon with cream cheese.