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Fresh Fruit Tart

Meggan Hill

4.99 from 497 votes

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Fruit Tarts are so visually impressive, they might border on intimidating. But fear not! I’m serving up a slice of my best Fruit Tart recipe straight from pastry class in culinary school. I’l walk you through everything you need to know to craft the fruit tart of your dreams.

A whole, unsliced fresh fruit tart.


 

From the homemade flaky tart crust to the rich and velvety pastry cream, you’ll master basic pastry techniques that you can put to work in other recipes with ease. Then, arrange your favorite fresh fruit into an enviable design. Learn when you really need that shiny apricot glaze on top and when you can skip it!

With nearly 500 5-star reviews on the site, this is a Fruit Tart recipe that many before you have mastered and enjoyed, and now it’s your turn. Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

  1. What you’ll need for Fruit Tarts
  2. How to make a Fruit Tart
  3. Recipe tips and variations
  4. Fruit Tart storage
  5. Recipe FAQs
  6. Fresh Fruit Tart Recipe

What you’ll need for Fruit Tarts

Labeled fresh fruit tart ingredients.

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

  • Vanilla: ½ vanilla bean, split, may be substituted for the vanilla extract in the pastry cream.
  • Fruit: Choose an assortment of different types, colors, and shapes. You could also decorate on a theme such as tropical (pineapple, kiwi, mango) or winter citrus (red grapefruit, blood orange, and clementine).
  • Apricot jam: Brushing some warmed apricot glaze over your fruit is like adding a shiny top coat. It keeps the fruit hydrated and looking its best. Apple jelly works too. Strawberry jelly tastes good but will tinge the fruit pink.
  • Pie weights: Used when blind-baking a crust so the crust stays flat. You can use store-bought pie weights or substitute dried beans (you cannot eat the beans after they’ve been baked). After baking, cool the beans completely and store them in a plastic bag for future baking projects.
  • Egg
  • Whole Milk
  • Salt
  • Cornstarch
  • Baking Powder
  • Butter
  • Egg Yolks
  • Flour
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Sugar

Where to buy a rolling pin

I got the J.K. Adams French Rolling Pin at Amazon for $18. It’s my favorite rolling pin because features tapered edges instead of handles, so you can change the position of your hands right on the dowel instead of using specific handles. I use it for all my parties and baked goods!

How to make a Fruit Tart

To make the pastry cream:

  1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat milk until tiny bubbles appear on the surface, about 6 to 8 minutes (about 180 degrees). Stir to prevent the milk from scalding.
Bringing milk to a temperature of 180 degrees for pastry cream.
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks and sugar. Whisk in cornstarch and salt.
Whisking eggs and sugar together.
  1. While whisking constantly, pour in half of the hot milk.
Half of the hot milk added to the custard for pastry cream.
  1. Whisk in remaining hot milk and return to saucepan.
Stirring hot milk into pastry cream.
  1. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens to a firm consistency, about 5 to 8 minutes.
Cooking pastry cream until thickened.
  1. Whisk in vanilla, then pour into a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface of the pastry cream. Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 to 3 hours.
A clear bowl of pastry cream covered with a layer of plastic wrap.

To make the tart crust:

  1. In a stand mixer fit with the paddle attachment, or with an electric mixer by hand, cream the butter and powdered sugar together on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. 
Butter and sugar being creamed in a silver mixing bowl.
  1. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add egg. Continue mixing until combined, scraping down the bowl as necessary. Add vanilla and salt and mix until combined. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add flour and baking powder and blend until the dough comes together.
Tart dough in a silver mixing bowl with a beater.
  1. Scrape dough onto a piece of plastic wrap. Wrap tightly and chill at least 1 hour.
A ball of tart crust dough wrapped in plastic wrap.
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to a thickness of 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch.
A tart crust on a wooden cutting board.
  1. Loosely roll the dough around the rolling pin, then gently unroll it over a 9-inch tart pan. Press the dough firmly into the bottom of the pan and up the sides.
A tart crust before being trimmed and baked.
  1. Trim any excess dough.
A tart crust before being cooked.
  1. Cover the dough with parchment paper or foil. Fill with pie weights or dried beans (you will need about 2 pounds). Bake 12 minutes.
A tart crust with pie weights in it.
  1. Remove pie weights or beans and parchment paper or foil.
A tart crust on a baking sheet.
  1. Return to oven and bake until golden brown and fully cooked, about 10 to 15 minutes longer. Cool completely.
A baked tart crust on a counter top.

To assemble the fruit tart:

  1. Fill cooled tart crust with chilled pastry cream.
Pastry cream in a tart crust.
  1. Arrange fruit in a decorative pattern. 
A whole, unsliced fresh fruit tart.
  1. Using a pastry brush, brush fruit with melted apricot glaze (reheat as necessary if glaze cools and becomes too sticky).
A whole, unsliced fresh fruit tart.

Recipe tips and variations

  • Yield: This recipe makes 1 (9-inch) tart with 8 slices (including 4 cups pastry cream).
  • Make ahead: This fruit tart is a showpiece and should be served the day it is assembled. However, unbaked tart dough may be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling out to bake. The pastry cream can be made up to 4 days in advance. Store covered in the refrigerator with plastic wrap pressed directly on its surface.
  • Butter: For a buttery pastry cream flavor, softer texture, and a lovely shine, add 2 tbsp. butter with the vanilla in Step 3 of the pastry cream.
A whole, unsliced fresh fruit tart.

Fruit Tart storage

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Recipe FAQs

What are the best fruits for a fruit tart?

For the most attractive fruit tart, select a variety of different types, colors, and shapes. You could also decorate on a theme such as tropical (pineapple, kiwi, mango) or winter citrus (red grapefruit, blood orange, and clementine). Avoid fruits that turn brown when cut such as apples and bananas.

How many people does a fruit tart serve?

Servings always depending on how you slice it, but a fruit tart will normally serve 6 to 8 adults.

A slice of fresh fruit tart on a white plate.

More favorite fruit desserts

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A fresh fruit tart on a counter top.

Fresh Fruit Tart

By Meggan Hill
Loaded with a lush assortment of seasonal berries and other fruit, there's nothing quite as lovely as a Fresh Fruit Tart. You'll also learn some baking basics, like a tart crust and pastry cream, along the way.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Chilling time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours
Servings 8 servings
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Calories 403
4.99 from 497 votes
ReviewPrint

Equipment

Ingredients 

For the pastry cream:

For the tart dough:

For the fruit tart:

  • 1 pint Fresh cut fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, peaches, mango, and kiwi (see note 2)
  • Apricot jam melted, as needed (see note 3)

Instructions 

To make the pastry cream:

  • In a medium non-aluminum saucepan over medium heat, heat milk until tiny bubbles appear on the surface, about 6 to 8 minutes (180 degrees). Stir to prevent scalding.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks and sugar. Whisk in cornstarch and salt. While whisking constantly, pour in half of the hot milk. Whisk in remaining hot milk and return to saucepan.
  • Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens to a firm consistency, about 5 to 8 minutes. Whisk in vanilla and pour in to a bowl.
  • Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly on to the surface of the pastry cream. Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 to 3 hours.

To make the tart dough:

  • In a a stand mixer fit with the paddle attachment, or with an electric mixer by hand, cream the butter and powdered sugar together on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. 
  • Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add egg. Continue mixing until combined, scraping down the bowl as necessary. Add vanilla and salt and mix until combined.
  • Reduce mixer speed to low. Add flour and baking powder and blend until the dough comes together (do not over-mix). Scrape dough onto a piece of plastic wrap. Wrap tightly and chill at least 1 hour.

To blind-bake the tart crust:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to a thickness of 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch. If the dough crumbles or breaks apart, press it back together with your fingertips. 
  • Loosely roll the dough around the rolling pin, then gently unroll it over the tart pan, preferably with a removable bottom (9 inches, or substitute a pie plate).
  • Press the dough firmly into the bottom of the pan and up the sides. Trim any excess dough. Cover the dough with parchment paper or foil. Fill with pie weights or dried beans (you will need about 2 pounds, see note 4). Bake 12 minutes.
  • Remove pie weights or beans and parchment paper or foil. Return to oven and bake until golden brown and fully cooked, about 10 to 15 minutes longer. Cool completely.

To assemble the fruit tart:

  • Fill cooled tart crust with chilled pastry cream. Arrange fruit in a decorative pattern. 
  • Using a pastry brush, brush fruit with melted apricot glaze (reheat as necessary if glaze cools and becomes too sticky).

Recipe Video

Notes

  1. Vanilla: ½ vanilla bean, split, may be substituted for the vanilla extract in the pastry cream.
  2. Fruit: Choose an assortment of different types, colors, and shapes. You could also decorate on a theme such as tropical (pineapple, kiwi, mango) or winter citrus (red grapefruit, blood orange, and clementine).
  3. Apricot jam: Brushing some warmed apricot glaze over your fruit is like adding a shiny top coat. It keeps the fruit hydrated and looking its best. Apple jelly works too. Strawberry jelly tastes good but will tinge the fruit pink.
  4. Pie weights: Used when blind-baking a crust so the crust stays flat. You can use store-bought pie weights or substitute dried beans (you cannot eat the beans after they’ve been baked). After baking, cool the beans completely and store them in a plastic bag for future baking projects.
  5. Yield: This recipe makes 1 (9-inch) tart with 8 slices.
  6. Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 403kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 7gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 199mgSodium: 290mgPotassium: 124mgFiber: 1gSugar: 38gVitamin A: 640IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 103mgIron: 1mg
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4.99 from 497 votes (437 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Hi Meggan, I’m super excited to make this! I was just wondering if it’s possible to prep any parts of this a few days before baking in the oven? I noticed a previous comment where you mentioned the dough can be refrigerated for up to two weeks. Wondering if the pastry cream can sit in the fridge or if it’s better fresh?

    Reply

    1. Hi Tanya! I’m excited for you to make this tart, too! Yes, the pastry cream can be made up to 4 days in advance. Make sure to store it in the refrigerator with the plastic wrap touching the surface of the pastry cream so it doesn’t dry out and form a skin on top. I hope you love it! Please write back to update on how it comes out! – Meggan

    1. Hi Priscilla, yes! Other readers have made tartlets using this recipe. The bake time may be reduce a few minutes in step 4 depending on your oven, so just keep an eye on them. I hope you love them! – Meggan

    1. Hi Martie, yes! The tart may come out a little less tall depending how deep the pan is. I hope you love this tart! – Meggan

    1. Hi Chrissy, thank you so much for your question. I’m so sorry but I haven’t tested this recipe with sugar alternatives for the granulated and powdered sugar. It might work well as there are some wonderful ones out there, but I’ve not tried them with this recipe and I don’t want to ruin your fruit tart. Sorry about that! – Meggan

  5. Hello! I recently made your fruit tart recipe and it was absolutely delicious! Everything tasted absolutely amazing and it was a very easy and clear recipe to follow. I do have one comment, when I was making the custard, it just wouldn’t set! I even tried cooking it again after I let it cool to try to get it to set more, and I stuck it in the freezer for fifteen minutes, but it wouldn’t really get “hard” or set. Do you have any suggestions?
    Thank you for your time! And again, what a great recipe.

    Reply

    1. Hi Julia, thank you so much for your comment and question! I’m sorry the pastry cream didn’t thicken. I believe your mixture didn’t get hot enough when whisking in step 3. If it doesn’t get hot enough, the cornstarch won’t thicken the mixture, especially if you were able to cook it again without the eggs curdling. The consistency should be more pudding-like than firm like cheesecake. I’s so glad you enjoyed it otherwise and please write if you make it again! Take care! – Meggan

  6. hello quick question before i make this, could i use vanilla bean paste? and if so how would i incorporate into the recipe ? thanks so much!

    Reply

    1. Hi Maritza! You can substitute the vanilla extract for the vanilla paste in equal amounts in the pastry cream. (1:1) I hope you love it! – Meggan

  8. HI, your recipe is amazing, i made it last week…, do u thibnk i could freeze the shortbread fro a couple days?

    Reply

    1. Hi Celeste! Thank you so much for your question! Unbaked tart dough may be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling out to bake. I hope you love it! – Meggan

    1. Hi Vinhi, yes! Absolutely! Just be cautious when making the custard to not overcook it. Take care and happy cooking! – Meggan

  10. This was SO GOOD. I want to try with vanilla bean next time for a softer vanilla flavor, but seriously, I love this recipe. My custard didn’t firm up as well as I’d hoped, but I think that was due to a couple factors—I only had a 9” pan, so the custard was deeper, and I’m guessing I didn’t cook long enough. It was a tad alarming when it started to thicken, so I think I pulled it off the stove prematurely. I already plan on making another this weekend though to take to some friends’ house!5 stars

    Reply

    1. Hi Katie, thank you so much for your comment! I hope the next one is a hit! – Meggan