Sweet Strawberry Tart Recipe

Dreamy Strawberry Tart Recipe: Sweet Summer Pleasure

Sweet summer memories dance on your palate with this decadent strawberry tart recipe that captures the essence of sun-kissed berries.

Layers of buttery pastry cradle vibrant, ruby-red strawberries in a delightful embrace of flavor.

The delicate crust provides a perfect canvas for showcasing the fruit’s natural brilliance.

Rich custard nestles beneath the glossy strawberries, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Each slice promises a burst of fresh, tangy sweetness that whispers of garden-fresh mornings.

Elegant yet surprisingly simple, this tart turns an ordinary dessert into a spectacular centerpiece that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to indulge in a slice of pure culinary magic that celebrates the best of seasonal delights.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Calories: 335 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients for Strawberry Tart

For Tart Crust:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of your crisp, buttery base that provides structure and delightful texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps create a golden, crumbly crust with delicate caramelization.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the tart.
  • Unsalted Butter: Delivers rich, flaky layers and creates a melt-in-your-mouth tender crust with incredible depth.
  • Large Egg: Binds the dough together and contributes to a smooth, cohesive pastry shell.
For Creamy Filling:
  • Heavy Cream: Whips into luxurious, cloud-like peaks that create an airy, light texture.
  • Powdered Sugar: Dissolves seamlessly, creating a silky smooth filling without graininess.
  • Vanilla Extract: Infuses the filling with warm, aromatic depth and sophisticated flavor.
  • Cream Cheese: Provides a tangy, rich base that gives the filling incredible creaminess and structure.
  • Salt: Brightens and balances the sweetness, making the filling more complex and delicious.
For Topping:
  • Fresh Strawberries: Bring vibrant color, natural sweetness, and juicy freshness to complete the tart.

Kitchen Tools for Crafting a Strawberry Tart

  • Food Processor: Essential for quickly mixing crust ingredients and creating smooth, uniform texture.
  • 9-inch Tart Pan: Perfect for shaping and baking the delicate strawberry tart crust.
  • Rolling Pin: Helps roll out dough evenly and smoothly on a floured surface.
  • Mixing Bowls: Needed for preparing whipped cream and cream cheese filling.
  • Electric Mixer or Whisk: Great for whipping cream to stiff peaks and blending cream cheese.
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents crust from sticking and helps with even baking.
  • Pie Weights or Dried Beans: Keeps crust flat during initial baking.
  • Fork: Used for pricking tart crust before freezing.
  • Sharp Knife: Necessary for slicing fresh strawberries.
  • Spatula: Helps fold cream mixture and spread filling evenly.

How to Assemble and Bake a Strawberry Tart

  • Dough Preparation

Craft a delicate pastry base using a food processor, blending flour, sugar, and salt until perfectly combined. Incorporate chilled butter chunks, creating a crumbly texture that hints at the deliciousness to come.

  • Dough Shaping

Transform the mixture into a smooth disc, wrapping it tenderly in plastic and allowing it to rest in the refrigerator, developing rich flavors and a silky consistency.

  • Crust Formation

Gently roll out the chilled dough on a lightly dusted surface, carefully pressing it into a tart pan. Create tiny fork punctures to prevent unwanted bubbling during baking.

  • Crust Baking

Warm the oven to a golden-brown temperature. Shield the delicate crust with parchment and weights, baking until it achieves a beautiful, crisp appearance. Let it cool completely, anticipating the creamy filling.

  • Filling Creation

Whip cream to cloud-like peaks, blending it gracefully with velvety cream cheese. The result should be a luxurious, smooth mixture that promises pure indulgence.

  • Final Assembly

Lavish the cooled crust with the dreamy filling, crowning it with vibrant, fresh strawberry slices. Serve immediately to capture the tart’s perfect moment of delectable elegance.

Customization Tips for Fruit Tart Success

  • Swap half the all-purpose flour with almond flour for a nutty, rich undertone that complements the strawberries perfectly.
  • Infuse the cream cheese filling with fresh lemon zest or orange extract to add a bright, citrusy dimension that cuts through the sweetness.
  • Prepare the tart crust and filling up to two days in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator to maintain optimal freshness and texture.
  • Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the strawberries or sprinkle toasted sliced almonds for an elegant and crunchy finish that elevates the dessert's visual and taste appeal.

Strawberry Tart Serving Presentation Ideas

  • Elegant Dessert Presentation: Arrange tart slices on delicate white porcelain plates with a light dusting of powdered sugar for an exquisite restaurant-style finish.
  • Summer Garden Party Centerpiece: Garnish with fresh mint leaves and edible flowers around the tart's edge to create a stunning buffet display that captures seasonal charm.
  • Complementary Beverage Pairing: Serve alongside chilled champagne or a crisp rosé wine to elevate the strawberry tart's delicate flavors and provide a sophisticated touch to your dining experience.
  • Gourmet Finishing Touch: Add a small drizzle of dark chocolate or a dollop of lavender-infused whipped cream to introduce an unexpected and luxurious flavor contrast to the classic strawberry dessert.

Storage Guide for Keeping Tart Fresh

  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store this delicate strawberry tart in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for maximum freshness. Keep it chilled to maintain the cream's smooth texture and prevent strawberry spoilage, typically lasting 2-3 days.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the tart crust one day in advance and store it wrapped tightly at room temperature. The cream filling can be mixed and refrigerated separately, which saves precious time during event preparation.
  • Freezing Finesse: While fresh strawberry tarts are best enjoyed immediately, you can freeze the unbaked crust for up to one month. Wrap it securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn and maintain its delicate structure.
  • Serving Temperature Wisdom: Remove the tart from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving. This slight warming allows the cream to soften and flavors to develop, creating a more enjoyable dessert experience with enhanced taste and texture.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Sweet Strawberry Tart Recipe

Sweet Strawberry Tart


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Parisian pastry chefs craft this delicate strawberry tart with precision, blending buttery crust and silky pastry cream. Ripe French strawberries crown this elegant dessert, inviting you to savor each exquisite bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (66 g) powdered confectioner’s sugar
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1 large egg, cold and beaten
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, softened
  • ⅔ cup (157 g) heavy cream
  • ½ cup (66 g) powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1 ½ lbs (680 g) strawberries, hulled and sliced

Instructions

  1. Dough Preparation: Pulse flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor until uniformly combined.
  2. Butter Integration: Add cold cubed butter, processing until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Dough Formation: Mix in beaten egg until dough consolidates, then shape into a disc and refrigerate for one hour.
  4. Crust Shaping: Roll chilled dough on floured surface to fit a 9″ tart pan, pressing carefully and piercing with fork.
  5. Crust Chilling: Freeze prepared crust for 30 minutes to stabilize structure.
  6. Blind Baking: Preheat oven to 375°F, line crust with parchment and pie weights, bake until edges turn golden brown, approximately 20 minutes.
  7. Filling Creation: Whip heavy cream with half the powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
  8. Cream Cheese Blend: Mix cream cheese with remaining sugar and salt until smooth.
  9. Filling Fusion: Gently fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture, maintaining airy consistency.
  10. Final Assembly: Spread filling evenly across cooled crust and arrange fresh strawberry slices just before serving.

Notes

  • Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerating the dough for an hour helps prevent shrinkage and ensures a flakier, more stable crust during baking.
  • Master Blind Baking: Preheating weights prevent the crust from puffing up, creating a crisp, even base that supports the delicate filling.
  • Whip with Precision: Beat cream to stiff peaks carefully to maintain its volume, which creates a light, airy texture in the final filling.
  • Fresh Fruit Finale: Add strawberry slices just before serving to preserve their bright color and prevent soggy edges on the tart.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 335
  • Sugar: 16 g
  • Sodium: 210 mg
  • Fat: 23 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 31 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 56 mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star