Why You’ll Love Strawberry Tart Recipe
This tart combines multiple textures and flavors in every bite: a crumbly, melt-in-the-mouth pastry, a smooth and creamy custard, and juicy sweet strawberries. It looks impressive but is made with simple steps that can be followed at home. It’s also a great make-ahead dessert for gatherings since the components can be prepared in advance.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 100g unsalted butter, softened
- 50g icing sugar
- 2 free-range egg yolks
- 200g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
- ¼ tsp fine salt
- 300ml full-fat milk
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- pinch of salt
- 2 free-range egg yolks
- 50g granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cornflour
- 30g unsalted butter
- 500g small strawberries, hulled and halved
- 1 tbsp caster sugar
Directions
- To make the pastry, blend the butter and icing sugar until smooth. Add egg yolks and mix again. Add flour and salt and mix until a dough forms. Shape into a disc, wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Heat milk, vanilla paste, and salt in a pan until gently steaming.
- Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornflour until smooth. Slowly pour in the hot milk while whisking.
- Return mixture to the pan and cook on low heat, stirring constantly until thick. Remove from heat and stir in butter.
- Cover the custard with cling film touching the surface and chill.
- Roll out pastry into a circle and line a tart tin. Trim edges and prick the base. Chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.
- Line pastry with baking paper and beans and blind bake for 10–12 minutes. Remove beans and bake another 7–10 minutes until golden. Cool completely.
- Sprinkle strawberries with caster sugar and let them sit for 5 minutes. Stir custard until smooth and pour into tart shell.
- Arrange strawberries on top in concentric circles and serve.
Servings and timing
Servings: 8
Preparation time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Chilling time: 20–30 minutes
Total time: approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
Variations
You can switch strawberries for raspberries, blueberries, or a mix of summer berries for a different flavor profile. Adding a thin layer of melted chocolate on the pastry base before adding the custard can help prevent sogginess and add richness. For a citrus twist, add a little lemon or orange zest to the custard. You can also top the tart with a light glaze made from warmed apricot jam for extra shine.
Storage/Reheating
Store the tart in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 2 days. For best texture, keep it chilled until ready to serve. The pastry may soften slightly over time due to the custard and fruit moisture. This tart is not suitable for reheating, but it is best enjoyed cold or at cool room temperature.
FAQs
Can I make the pastry in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the pastry dough up to 2 days ahead and keep it wrapped in the refrigerator.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Fresh strawberries are best, as frozen ones release too much moisture and can make the tart soggy.
What can I use instead of cornflour?
You can use cornstarch or a similar thickening agent to achieve the same custard consistency.
Why is my custard lumpy?
This usually happens if the eggs are cooked too quickly. Always whisk constantly and add the milk slowly.
Can I make the custard ahead of time?
Yes, it can be made a day in advance and stored in the fridge with cling film on the surface.
How do I keep the pastry crisp?
Blind baking thoroughly and optionally brushing with melted chocolate helps prevent sogginess.
Can I skip blind baking?
No, blind baking is essential to ensure the base is fully cooked and crisp.
How do I know when the custard is thick enough?
It should coat the back of a spoon and hold its shape when stirred.
Can I make this tart gluten-free?
Yes, by replacing plain flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for pastry.
How long should the tart sit before serving?
Let it rest for about 10–15 minutes after assembling so the flavors settle.
Conclusion
This strawberry tart is a timeless dessert that balances crisp pastry, creamy custard, and fresh fruit beautifully. With a bit of preparation, you can create a bakery-quality tart at home that’s perfect for sharing and celebrating special moments.
