This strawberry tart brings together a buttery, tender crust, a smooth pastry cream filling, and fresh, juicy strawberries arranged on top, all finished with a glossy homemade glaze. It’s the kind of dessert that instantly transports you back to childhood, evoking memories of family gatherings and special celebrations. The tart’s crispy base and creamy center complement the natural sweetness of the strawberries perfectly. It’s a versatile recipe where you can swap out strawberries for other fruits like peaches, kiwis, or mixed berries, making it an adaptable favorite for any season. This tart is a showstopper, yet surprisingly easy to make, ensuring you never feel the need to buy one from a bakery again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
You’ll love this strawberry tart for its perfect balance of flavors and textures. The buttery tart crust provides the ideal foundation for the rich, velvety pastry cream that’s topped with fresh, vibrant strawberries. What really sets this tart apart is the shiny glaze that not only gives the strawberries an irresistible sheen but also enhances their flavor with a hint of sweetness. This dessert is easy to customize by using different fruits, allowing you to make it again and again with a new twist each time. It’s an impressive dessert that doesn’t require complicated techniques, making it accessible for both beginners and seasoned bakers alike.
Perfect Occasion:
This strawberry tart is perfect for any gathering where you want to impress your guests with a homemade treat that looks as good as it tastes. It’s ideal for a summer barbecue, a birthday celebration, or a cozy family dinner. Serve it as the centerpiece dessert at a holiday party, or bring it to a potluck to share with friends and family. Its light, refreshing flavors make it a wonderful choice for warm weather, while the rich cream and buttery crust ensure it’s satisfying even during cooler months.
Decoration Tips:
To elevate the look of this strawberry tart, consider arranging the strawberry halves in a circular pattern for a neat and polished appearance. You can also alternate between rows of strawberries and another fruit like kiwi or blueberries for a burst of color and added flavor. After brushing on the glaze, allow it to set slightly before garnishing the tart with a few sprigs of fresh mint for a touch of elegance. For a festive look, sprinkle a little powdered sugar around the edges of the tart or serve each slice with a dollop of whipped cream on the side.
Ingredients
- 1 sweet tart crust (baked, from a 22cm tart pan with removable bottom)
- 1 recipe of pastry cream
- 2 or 3 boxes of strawberries, hulled and cut in half
For the Glaze
- 1/2 cup of the less appealing strawberries, chopped
- 1/2 cup water
- 50g sugar
- 3 teaspoons of cornstarch
Instructions:
Begin by baking the tart crust in a 22cm tart pan with a removable bottom, following your preferred recipe. Once baked, let it cool completely.
Next, prepare the pastry cream and allow it to cool before spreading it evenly inside the cooled tart crust.
Arrange the halved strawberries neatly over the pastry cream. Place the tart in the refrigerator while you prepare the shiny glaze.
To make the glaze, combine the chopped strawberries and water in a small saucepan and bring it to a boil. After a few minutes, strain the mixture through a fine sieve, without pressing down on the fruit, to extract a clear juice. You should have about 100ml of liquid.
Return the strained juice to the saucepan and stir in the sugar and cornstarch. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens into a shiny glaze.
Remove the tart from the refrigerator and carefully brush or drizzle the warm glaze over the strawberries, coating them evenly. This will give the fruit a beautiful, glossy finish.
Let the tart chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours before removing from the pan and serving.
Enjoy!