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Traditional French Strawberry Tart (Tarte aux Fraises)


  • Total Time: 1 hour (plus chilling time)
  • Yield: 1 9-inch tart (8 servings)
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A classic French dessert featuring a crisp buttery crust, smooth vanilla pastry cream, and fresh glazed strawberries for a stunning, elegant finish.


Ingredients

  • All-Purpose Flour: 1 ½ cups, forms the base of the tart crust
  • Unsalted Butter: ½ cup cold, gives a tender flaky texture
  • Powdered Sugar: ¼ cup, for subtle sweetness
  • Egg Yolk: 1 large, binds the dough together
  • Cold Water: 1–2 tablespoons, to bring the dough together
  • Whole Milk: 2 cups, base for the creamy custard
  • Egg Yolks: 4 large, for richness and texture
  • Granulated Sugar: ½ cup, to sweeten the pastry cream
  • Cornstarch: 3 tablespoons, for thickening
  • Vanilla Bean or Extract: 1 teaspoon, adds aromatic flavor
  • Fresh Strawberries: 1 pound hulled and sliced, for topping
  • Apricot Jam: 3 tablespoons, for glazing

Instructions

  1. Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Combine Ingredients: Mix flour, powdered sugar, and butter until crumbly. Add egg yolk and cold water, mix until dough forms.
  3. Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Press dough into a tart pan, prick with a fork, and chill 15 minutes.
  4. Assemble the Dish: Line crust with parchment and pie weights. Bake 20 minutes, remove weights, and bake 10 minutes more until golden.
  5. Cook to Perfection: Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch. Heat milk with vanilla, then combine and cook until thickened. Cool completely.
  6. Finishing Touches: Fill cooled crust with pastry cream. Arrange strawberries neatly on top and brush with apricot jam.
  7. Serve and Enjoy: Chill for 1 hour before serving for best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Use ripe, firm strawberries for best flavor.
  • Chill the tart well before slicing.
  • Blind-baking ensures a crisp, golden crust.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 290
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 60mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 34g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: French Strawberry Tart, Tarte aux Fraises, classic French dessert, strawberry pastry