Once you make this strawberry tart, you may never want to buy one from a bakery again! This delightful dessert is a childhood favorite for many, and it's worth every bit of effort, especially when you find sweet, red strawberries. Feel free to experiment with other fruits like peaches, mixed berries, or kiwi for different flavor profiles. The tart is not only beautiful but bursting with fresh, fruity flavor that will transport you straight to your sweetest memories.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this strawberry tart for its perfect combination of a buttery, crisp tart base, velvety pastry cream, and fresh strawberries glazed with a shiny, sweet topping. The contrast between the creamy filling and the juicy strawberries makes each bite refreshing and satisfying. It’s the kind of dessert that looks impressive but is surprisingly easy to make once you master the basics. It’s a true crowd-pleaser and will easily become a family favorite.
Perfect Occasion
This strawberry tart is ideal for spring and summer gatherings when strawberries are in season, but it’s versatile enough to make all year round. Serve it at family celebrations, garden parties, or any occasion where you want to impress with a homemade dessert. Its elegant presentation makes it perfect for more formal events like brunches or even as a showstopper at a dinner party.
Decoration Tips
When decorating this tart, neatly arrange the halved strawberries in concentric circles to create a beautiful, polished look. For a more rustic appeal, you can scatter them randomly, but the key is to make sure they are evenly distributed over the pastry cream. After brushing the glaze, you can sprinkle a few mint leaves or edible flowers on top for added visual appeal. If you’re feeling adventurous, swap out the strawberries with other vibrant fruits to match the season or occasion.
Ingredients:
- 1 sweet tart base
- 1 recipe of pastry cream
- 2 or 3 boxes of strawberries, hulled and halved
For the shiny glaze:
- ½ cup of small, less appealing strawberries, chopped
- ½ cup water
- 50g sugar
- 3 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions:
- Prepare the Tart Base:
- Follow the tart base recipe and bake it in a 22cm removable-bottom tart pan. Let the tart shell cool completely before filling it.
- Fill the Tart:
- Once the tart base is cool, fill it with the prepared pastry cream, spreading it evenly across the surface. Arrange the halved strawberries on top of the cream in an appealing pattern. Place the tart in the fridge to chill while you prepare the glaze.
- Make the Shiny Glaze:
- In a small saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries and water. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer for a few minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve to remove the solids, without pressing on the strawberries. You should have about 100ml of liquid.
- Return the strawberry liquid to the saucepan. Stir in the sugar and cornstarch, and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens into a glossy glaze.
- Glaze the Tart:
- Remove the tart from the fridge and, while the glaze is still warm, gently brush or drizzle it over the arranged strawberries. This will give the tart a beautiful, glossy finish.
- Chill and Serve:
- Return the tart to the fridge and let it chill for at least 3 hours before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and the glaze to set perfectly. Once chilled, carefully remove the tart from the pan, slice, and enjoy!
Enjoy this stunning and delicious strawberry tart with friends and family! The combination of sweet, fresh strawberries and creamy pastry will be a hit at any gathering.