Raspberry Vanilla Tarts
Raspberry Vanilla Tarts combine a flaky, buttery crust with a smooth, creamy vanilla custard filling and fresh, vibrant raspberries for a perfectly balanced fruity dessert. Ideal for tea time, special occasions, or a delightful treat, these tarts are elegant yet simple to prepare, making them a versatile favorite for any occasion.
- Author: Sophie
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 tarts 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free (with substitution)
For the Tart Crust
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
For the Vanilla Custard Filling
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk or cream
- 1 vanilla bean (split and seeds scraped) or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
For the Topping
- Prepare the Tart Crust: Chill the butter and cut it into the flour and sugar until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press this mixture evenly into tart pans. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to firm up before baking. This step is crucial for achieving a crisp, flaky crust.
- Blind Bake the Crust: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line the crusts with parchment paper and fill them with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes to set the shell. Remove the weights and parchment and bake for another 5-7 minutes until golden to prevent sogginess when adding the custard.
- Make the Vanilla Custard Filling: Whisk egg yolks with sugar until light and creamy. Heat milk with the vanilla bean or extract and lemon zest (if using) just until simmering. Slowly temper the hot milk into the egg mixture while stirring continuously to avoid curdling. Return the mixture to low heat and cook gently, stirring constantly until thickened to a pudding-like consistency. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Assemble the Tarts: Pour the cooled vanilla custard evenly into each prebaked tart shell. Arrange fresh raspberries on top in a decorative pattern, pressing them slightly into the custard to secure them.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the assembled tarts for at least 2 hours to allow the custard to set perfectly and the flavors to meld together, ensuring a refreshing and delicious dessert.
Notes
- Chill ingredients like butter and eggs to achieve a flakier crust and smoother custard.
- Don’t overmix the dough; mix just until combined to keep the crust tender.
- Use fresh, ripe but firm raspberries for the best texture and appearance.
- Temper the custard carefully by adding warm milk slowly into the eggs to avoid scrambling.
- Allow plenty of chilling time for optimal texture and flavor integration before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tart
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
Keywords: raspberry tarts, vanilla custard, flaky crust, dessert, fruity tart, berry tart, vanilla tarts, baked custard, raspberry dessert