Elegant Berry Tart
- felichiccuisine
- Dec 1, 2023
- 5 min read
A Delightful Homemade Dessert
This berry tart is the perfect combination of buttery crust, nutty filling, and juicy berries, making it an elegant yet approachable dessert. Whether you're baking for a special occasion or simply indulging in a weekend treat, this tart never fails to impress. The best part? It’s versatile—you can use fresh or frozen berries, swap out the nuts, or even take a shortcut with a store-bought crust.
There’s something undeniably special about a homemade tart. The flaky, buttery crust, the rich and creamy filling, and the burst of fresh berries create a dessert that’s both elegant and irresistible.
Whether served as a showstopping finale to a dinner party or enjoyed with a quiet afternoon tea, this berry tart is a timeless treat.
Weekends in my family have always been about good food and quality time. Whether it’s a leisurely brunch or a cozy Sunday dinner, there’s always a homemade dessert on the table.
One weekend, I decided to bake something special—a berry tart with a crisp, buttery crust and a luscious almond-pistachio filling. It was an instant favorite. The combination of tart, juicy berries and the rich, nutty custard created the perfect balance of flavors, and before I knew it, there wasn’t a crumb left.
If you've never made a tart from scratch, don't worry. This recipe is beginner-friendly with a bit of patience and care. The homemade crust is rich and buttery, creating a perfect foundation for the velvety almond and pistachio-infused filling. Topped with vibrant, juicy berries, each bite is a harmony of crisp, creamy, and fruity goodness.
It’s the kind of dessert that looks impressive but is surprisingly easy to make.
For another delicious option, you could try: Decadent Chocolate Raspberry Tart
Essential Tips
✔ Use Cold Butter for the Crust – This ensures a flaky, tender pastry. Work quickly so the butter doesn’t soften too much.
✔ Fresh or Frozen Berries? – Both work! If using frozen berries, don’t thaw them first; this prevents excess moisture from making the filling watery.
✔ Let It Cool Completely – The flavors meld beautifully once the tart has cooled, making it even more delicious.
A good tart starts with a good crust. The pastry dough is a simple combination of butter, milk, egg yolk, sugar, salt, and flour. The key to a perfect crust is keeping everything cold and not overworking the dough.
If you want a step-by-step guide to making an easy and foolproof tart crust, check out this simple tart crust recipe!
🍓 How to Make the Perfect Berry Tart
Step 1: Prepare the Tart Crust
✔ The pastry dough is a simple combination of butter, milk, egg yolk, sugar, salt, and flour.
✔ The key to a perfect crust is keeping everything cold and not overworking the dough.
✔ Form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap.
✔ Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
✔ In a bowl, beat the eggs until smooth.
✔ Add the whipping cream, sugar, ground almonds, chopped pistachios, melted butter, Kirsch, and flour. Mix well until fully combined.
Assemble and Bake
✔ On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry into a circle large enough to fit a 25 cm tart pan.
✔ Press the dough into the tart pan, trimming any excess.
✔ Spread the berries evenly over the bottom of the chilled tart crust.
✔ Pour the prepared egg mixture over the berries.
✔ Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the filling is set and golden brown.
FAQ: Berry Tart
1. Can I use frozen berries instead of fresh?
Yes! Frozen berries work perfectly in this tart. There's no need to thaw them before adding them to the filling—this helps prevent excess moisture from making the tart soggy.
1. Do I need to blind bake the crust?
No, blind baking is not necessary for this tart because the filling is baked along with the crust. Just make sure to chill the dough before baking to help it hold its shape.
3. Can I make the tart crust in advance?
Absolutely! You can make the dough up to 2 days ahead and keep it wrapped in the fridge.
4. What if I don’t have Kirsch (fruit brandy)?
You can substitute it with vanilla extract, rum, or even fresh lemon juice for a different flavor twist.
5. Can I use different nuts in the filling?
Yes! Almonds and pistachios add great flavor, but you can swap them for hazelnuts, walnuts, or even pecans if you prefer.
6. How do I know when the tart is done baking?
The filling should be set and slightly golden on top. If you gently shake the tart, the center should no longer jiggle.
7. Can I make this tart dairy-free?
You can substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, though the texture and flavor may change slightly.
This berry tart is proof that homemade desserts can be just as elegant as those from a patisserie. While it takes a little time, each step is simple, and the result is well worth the effort. Whether you’re making it for a celebration or just treating yourself, this tart is guaranteed to impress.
Have you tried making a berry tart before? Share your experience in the comments! Happy baking!
Elegant Berry
Tart Recipe
It’s the kind of dessert that looks impressive but is surprisingly easy to make.
🍽 Servings: 6–8
⏱ Prep Time: 25 min
⏳ Chilling Time: 20–30 min
⏳ Baking Time: 35–40 min
⏰ Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Ingredients
For the Crust
175g butter (¾ cup), cold and cut into small cubes
1 egg yolk
30ml milk (2 tbsp), cold
1 tsp sugar
Pinch of salt
250g (2 cups) flour
1–2 tsp cold water (if needed, for binding the dough)
For the Filling
3 eggs
150g (2/3 cup) whipping (double/heavy) cream
2 Tbsp sugar
30g (1/4 cup) ground almonds
30g (1/4 cup) pistachios, chopped
25g butter, melted
1/2 Tbsp flour
1/2 Tbsp Kirsch (fruit brandy)
200g berries (1 1/2 cups) fresh or frozen
Method
Prepare the Tart Crust
1. In a mixing bowl fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter until smooth.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Gradually fold the flour mixture into the butter. Add the milk and egg yolk, and continue mixing until a smooth dough forms.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry into a circle large enough to fit a 25 cm tart pan.
4. Press the dough into the tart pan, trimming any excess. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
Make the Filling
5. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
In a bowl, beat the eggs until smooth. Add the whipping cream, sugar, ground almonds, chopped pistachios, melted butter, Kirsch, and flour. Mix well until fully combined.
Assemble and Bake
6. Spread them evenly over the bottom of the chilled tart crust. Pour the prepared egg mixture over the berries.
7. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the filling is set and golden brown.
Cool and Serve
8. Remove the tart from the oven and let it cool completely. Sift powdered sugar over the top. Serve with fresh berries and whipped cream.
Final Tip: While homemade crust adds a richer flavor, a good-quality store-bought crust can still give you an elegant, delicious tart with minimal effort!
Enjoy!
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. ― Lao Tzu
*All Photographs on Feli Chic'Cuisine, signed Feli Chic'Cuisine are copyrighted.
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