Homemade Fresh Fruit Tart with Vanilla Pastry Cream

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There’s something incredibly satisfying about making your own fruit tart from scratch, the kind with a buttery crust, smooth vanilla pastry cream, and a rainbow of fresh fruit on top. It looks fancy, but it’s honestly simple enough to pull together in an afternoon.

This version is a favorite in my kitchen sweet, crisp pastry, creamy filling, and juicy slices of kiwi, banana, and strawberries that make it both beautiful and refreshing.

Ingredients

For the Crust (Tart Shell):

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tbsp cold water (as needed)

For the Vanilla Pastry Cream:

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Topping:

  • 2 kiwis, peeled and sliced
  • 1 banana, sliced
  • 4–5 strawberries, sliced
  • 2 tbsp apricot jam (for glaze)

Instructions

Make the Crust:

  1. In a bowl, mix flour and sugar. Add cold butter and rub it in with your fingers until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs.
  2. Add egg yolk and vanilla, then a little water at a time until the dough comes together.
  3. Flatten into a disc, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
  4. Roll out and press into tart pans. Prick with a fork.
  5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15–18 minutes, until lightly golden. Let cool.

Make the Pastry Cream:

  1. In a saucepan, heat milk until steaming.
  2. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch.
  3. Slowly pour in hot milk while whisking, then return the mix to the saucepan.
  4. Cook over medium heat, whisking, until thickened (about 2–3 minutes).
  5. Remove from heat, add butter and vanilla, and stir until smooth.
  6. Chill before using.

Assemble the Tart:

  1. Spoon the pastry cream into cooled tart shells.
  2. Arrange kiwi, banana, and strawberry slices on top.
  3. Warm the apricot jam slightly and brush over the fruit for a glossy finish.

Tips

  • Keep the banana slices from browning by brushing lightly with lemon juice before arranging.
  • You can use custard or vanilla pudding mix as a shortcut if you’re short on time.
  • Try variations with mango, blueberries, or peaches for a summer twist!

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