This Melted Vanilla Custard Cream Strawberry Tart is a stunning dessert that combines a buttery, flaky pie crust with a smooth, velvety vanilla custard cream, all topped with fresh, juicy strawberries. The tart is both elegant and indulgent, making it perfect for special occasions or as a delightful treat to enjoy with loved ones. The combination of the crisp crust, creamy custard, and sweet strawberries creates a symphony of textures and flavors that will leave you craving more.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
You’ll love this tart because it offers the perfect balance of a crisp, buttery crust and a rich, creamy filling, all topped with the freshness of ripe strawberries. The vanilla custard cream is silky and smooth, providing a luxurious contrast to the tartness of the strawberries and the flakiness of the crust. This tart is not only delicious but also visually impressive, making it a showstopper dessert for any occasion. Plus, it’s a versatile recipe that can be adapted with different fruits or flavors.
Perfect Occasion:
This tart is perfect for any occasion where you want to impress your guests with a homemade dessert that looks as good as it tastes. It’s ideal for celebrations, dinner parties, or as a special treat for a weekend gathering. The fresh strawberries make it especially suited for spring and summer events, but it’s a delightful dessert that can be enjoyed year-round. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, a tea party, or just want to treat yourself, this tart is sure to be a hit.
Decoration Tips:
For a beautiful presentation, arrange the fresh strawberries in an overlapping circular pattern on top of the custard, starting from the outer edge and working your way to the center. You can also add a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate for an extra touch of elegance. If you want to make the tart even more visually appealing, consider brushing the strawberries with a bit of warmed apricot jam to give them a glossy finish. For a pop of color, garnish with a few mint leaves or edible flowers.
Ingredients:
For the Pie Dough:
- 190 g all-purpose flour
- 115 g unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- A pinch of salt
For the Vanilla Custard Cream:
- 2 egg yolks
- 70 g granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 250 ml warm milk
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
For the Topping:
- 50 ml whipped cream
- Fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pie Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt. Add the chilled, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the cold water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix. Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Blind Bake the Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 210°C (410°F). Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface and fit it into a tart pan, trimming any excess dough.
- Prick the bottom of the crust with a fork and line it with parchment paper. Fill the lined crust with pie weights or dried beans.
- Bake the crust for 15 minutes. Remove the parchment paper and weights, then bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Allow the crust to cool completely.
- Prepare the Vanilla Custard Cream:
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the egg yolks, granulated sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Gradually add the warm milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook the mixture, stirring continuously, until it thickens and starts to bubble. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and butter until fully incorporated.
- Pour the custard into a bowl, cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming, and allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Assemble the Tart:
- Once the custard has cooled, gently fold in the whipped cream to create a light and fluffy custard filling.
- Pour the custard into the cooled tart shell, spreading it evenly.
- Arrange the sliced strawberries on top of the custard, creating a decorative pattern.
- Chill and Serve:
- Refrigerate the tart for at least 1 hour to allow the custard to set and the flavors to meld together.
- Before serving, you can garnish with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of chocolate, if desired.
Enjoy!
This Melted Vanilla Custard Cream Strawberry Tart is a beautiful and delicious dessert that will impress your guests and delight your taste buds. Perfect for any occasion, it’s a true showstopper!