Cheerful Berries & Sweet Bites: A Lovely Fruit Tart Recipe

Sweet summer memories dance on the palate with this elegant fruit tart that promises to delight even the most discerning dessert enthusiasts.

Layers of buttery pastry and silky custard create a canvas for vibrant, fresh berries and seasonal fruits.

Each delicate slice tells a story of careful craftsmanship and culinary artistry.

The tart’s golden crust provides a perfect foundation for an array of colorful, ripe fruits nestled in a creamy filling.

Simple yet sophisticated ingredients transform this dessert into a showstopping centerpiece for any gathering.

Prepare to impress with a recipe that balances delicate flavors and stunning visual appeal.

Serve this tart and watch as smiles bloom around the table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 9

Fruit Tart Recipe Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and tender crumb for the delicate pastry shell.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps create a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the tart.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates flaky, rich texture and adds luxurious flavor to the crust.

• Whole Milk: Forms the smooth, silky base of the pastry cream.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cream and helps create a glossy consistency.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the pastry cream and gives it a luxurious, pudding-like texture.
• Egg Yolks: Adds richness, color, and helps stabilize the cream.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, aromatic flavor that complements the fruit.
• Unsalted Butter: Enriches the cream and adds a velvety smooth finish.

• Mixed Fresh Fruits: Adds vibrant color, freshness, and natural sweetness to the tart.
• Apricot Jam: Creates a beautiful, glossy finish and helps preserve the fruit's appearance.
• Water: Thins the jam for easy brushing and creates a smooth glaze.

Tools You’ll Need For Fruit Tart

• Food processor or mixing bowl: Essential for blending crust ingredients smoothly.
• Pastry blender or knife: Helps cut butter into dry ingredients for perfect crumb texture.
• 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom: Crucial for shaping and easy removal of tart.
• Fork: Used for pricking crust before baking.
• Saucepan: Needed for cooking pastry cream and warming glaze.
• Whisk: Vital for mixing and preventing lumps in cream and glaze.
• Separate mixing bowls: One for tempering egg yolks, another for final pastry cream.
• Plastic wrap: Prevents skin formation on pastry cream.
• Small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl: For preparing fruit glaze.
• Pastry brush: Used for applying smooth glaze over fruit.

Steps To Make Fruit Tart Recipe

• Craft the Crust

Create a buttery base by blending flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Work cold butter into the mixture until it looks like chunky sand. Press the dough into a tart pan, poking holes with a fork. Bake until golden and let cool completely.

• Whip Up Creamy Filling

Warm milk with sugar in a saucepan. Gently mix egg yolks in a separate bowl. Slowly combine hot milk with yolks, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. Cover and chill for a couple of hours.

• Build Your Masterpiece

Spread the chilled cream into the cooled crust. Artfully arrange fresh, colorful fruits on top, creating a beautiful design.

• Add the Finishing Touch

Melt apricot jam with a splash of water. Strain if needed. Brush the glossy glaze over the fruits to make them shine and stay fresh.

• Chill and Delight

Refrigerate the tart for an hour to let the flavors meld. Slice and serve this stunning dessert that’s sure to impress.

Smart Tips For Fruit Tart Recipe

• Perfect Crust Technique: Use cold butter and handle the dough minimally to ensure a flaky, tender crust that doesn't become tough or chewy.
• Pastry Cream Mastery: Whisk continuously while cooking to prevent lumps and achieve a silky smooth custard that holds its shape perfectly.
• Fruit Selection Magic: Choose a colorful mix of seasonal fruits like strawberries, kiwi, blueberries, and mandarin oranges for a vibrant and appetizing presentation.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend in the crust to make this tart safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare the crust and pastry cream a day in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator, to simplify final assembly and reduce day-of preparation stress.

Serving Suggestions For Fruit Tart

• Elegant Fruit Display: Create a stunning visual masterpiece by arranging colorful fruits in concentric circles or geometric patterns, using strawberries, kiwis, blueberries, and mandarin oranges for a vibrant look.
• Brunch Centerpiece Magic: Serve this tart as a show-stopping dessert for weekend brunches, pairing it with champagne or fresh mimosas to elevate your gathering's sophistication.
• Seasonal Fruit Fusion: Swap fruits based on what's fresh and in season, allowing the tart to showcase summer berries, autumn stone fruits, or spring citrus for a constantly changing culinary experience.
• Garnish Glamour: Sprinkle toasted almond slivers, mint leaves, or a light dusting of powdered sugar around the tart's edge to add texture and create a professional restaurant-style presentation.

Storage & Planning Tips For Fruit Tart

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep the tart in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
• Quick Chilling Technique: Place the tart in the coldest part of your refrigerator, away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption.
• Fruit Freshness Hack: Arrange fruits just before serving to maintain their crisp texture and vibrant colors, preventing potential sogginess.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the crust and pastry cream separately up to 2 days in advance, assembling the tart only a few hours before serving for optimal taste and presentation.

Elegant Fruit Tart Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delightful fruit tart blends French pastry traditions with seasonal produce, offering a perfect balance of buttery crust and fresh, glazed fruits. Sweet and elegant dessert promises a simple yet sophisticated treat for discerning palates.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 23 cups assorted fresh fruit (berries, kiwi, mandarin oranges, grapes, etc.)
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 4 large egg yolks
• ¼ cup apricot jam (for glaze)
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 12 tbsps cold water (if needed)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Crust Preparation: Pulse flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a food processor. Incorporate cold butter until mixture resembles coarse sand. Gently press dough into tart pan, ensuring uniform coverage.
2. Initial Baking: Prick crust base with fork to prevent bubbling. Bake in preheated oven until edges turn golden brown. Cool completely to create a crisp foundation.
3. Pastry Cream Development: Warm milk with sugar, cornstarch, and salt in saucepan. Whisk egg yolks until smooth, then gradually temper with warm milk mixture. Return to heat, stirring constantly until cream thickens to pudding-like consistency.
4. Cream Finishing: Remove from heat and blend in butter and vanilla. Create silky-smooth texture by whisking thoroughly. Transfer to clean bowl, cover surface with plastic wrap to prevent skin formation.
5. Cream Chilling: Refrigerate pastry cream for several hours to set and intensify flavors. Once chilled, spread evenly across cooled tart shell, creating smooth base for fruit decoration.
6. Fruit Arrangement: Carefully place fresh fruits in artistic pattern across cream-covered surface. Highlight the vibrant colors and textures of selected fruits.
7. Glaze Application: Heat apricot jam with water, strain for clarity. Gently brush glaze over fruit, enhancing natural sheen and preserving freshness.
8. Final Chilling and Serving: Refrigerate completed tart for minimum one hour to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled, presenting an elegant dessert showcasing perfect balance of crisp crust, creamy filling, and fresh fruit topping.

Notes

• Prevent Crust Shrinkage: Chill the pressed dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before baking to minimize shrinking and maintain the tart’s pristine shape.
• Temper Eggs Carefully: Pour warm milk slowly into egg yolks while constantly whisking to prevent scrambling and ensure a smooth, silky pastry cream.
• Control Cream Consistency: Whisk pastry cream continuously over medium heat and remove immediately once it reaches a thick, pudding-like texture to avoid burning or developing lumps.
• Maximize Fruit Freshness: Select ripe, seasonal fruits and arrange them just before serving to maintain vibrant colors and prevent sogginess from extended refrigeration.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg