Fresh Fruit Tart

Step 1

Pastry Cream

Step 2

In a pan over low heat, simmer milk and vanilla, until it starts to steam.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, whisk together egg yolks and sugar, then add cornstarch and whisk until smooth.

Step 4

Once the milk has warmed up, add about ½ c of the milk to the egg mixture while constantly whisking. This slow addition of hot milk while vigorously whisking will temper the egg yolks, without turning them into scrambled eggs.

Step 5

Increase the heat on the stove to low-medium and add the egg mixture and lemon zest to the milk, whisking continuously.

Step 6

Whisk continuously for 30 seconds, until sauce thickens to a custard-like consistency (this will happen quickly!).

Step 7

Remove from heat, place in a bowl, and let cool on the counter for a few minutes.

Step 8

Once the bowl is cool enough to handle, cover it with plastic wrap, making sure the plastic touches the cream. This will prevent it from forming a crust.

Step 9

Place in the refrigerator to cool for 3 hours.

Step 10

Sweet Tart Crust

Step 11

Using a food processor, mix together flour, powdered sugar, and salt.

Step 12

In a separate bowl, whisk together egg and egg yolk, lemon zest, butter, and vanilla extract.

Step 13

Add egg mixture to food processor and pulse just until the crust sticks together when pressed between fingers.

Step 14

Remove dough from the food processor and form into a flat disc, about 1″ thick. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Step 15

On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough. Press dough into tart pan, making sure to press it into the edges as well. 

Step 16

Line crust with parchment paper and press into “corners” and sides well. Then, fill the parchment-lined crust with weights.

Step 17

Chill in refrigerator for another 30 minutes. In the meantime, preheat oven to 375°.

Step 18

Bake crust for 25 minutes (leave the pie weights in place) until edges start to brown.

Step 19

Remove from oven, carefully scoop out pie weights, and let crust cool.

Step 20

Chocolate Ganache (optional)

Step 21

Using a double-boiler method, add dark chocolate pieces and heavy cream.

Step 22

Stir continuously until chocolate melts and cream thickens.

Step 23

Let cool for just a minute or two, then spread over bottom of tart crust.

Step 24

Chill in refrigerator for about 15 minutes or until ganache firms up a bit.

Step 25

Putting it all together

Step 26

Remove pastry cream from fridge and spread throughout tart crust to form an even layer (if you chose not to use the chocolate ganache, this cream layer would go right on top of the crust).

Step 27

Now, the fun part…decorating! Using any fruits you like, in any design you like, cut up your fruits and decorate the top of your fruit tart! Just press each piece of fruit gently on top of the pastry cream.

Step 28

Fruit Glaze

Step 29

In a small pan over low-medium heat, add the fruit jam of your choice and about 1 tablespoon water. Stir continuously for about one minute, until jam is smooth.

Step 30

Using a silicone brush, gently touch the tops of the fruit with the glaze and watch it shine!

Step 31

Serving

Step 32

Serve your fresh fruit tart immediately or refrigerate for up to one day. FYI, I found that a pizza wheel cutter slices a fruit tart very nicely! Enjoy!