Baking · Tarts and Pastry

Strawberry Tart (Tarte aux Fraises)

Today’s recipe is one of those classics I think everyone loves to eat. A slice of freshly made strawberry tart is pure comfort for me and is one of my favourite summer desserts.

Another birthday in the family called for another celebration bake, this time a lovely fresh tart. I love classic fruit tarts, they tick all the boxes for me on so many levels and make an amazing dessert.

Delicious, fresh and summery are just a few words used to describe this tart – each and every bite is perfection.

The recipe is also super easy to make, every single aspect of this tart is homemade and it doesn’t get better than that!

You can probably tell by now I’m absolutely loving the strawberry season – so expect lots more strawberry recipes this summer too. Also, the tart fits in with the Wimbledon theme at the moment, so if you’re hosting a Wimbledon-themed garden party, this tart should definitely be at the top of your baking list!

tart assemble

Ingredients:

Sweet Shortcrust Pastry (Pâte Sucrée):

250g of plain flour, plus more for dusting

120g of unsalted butter, chilled and cut into smallish cubes

80g of caster sugar

1 teaspoon of lemon zest

Good splash of pure vanilla extract

1 large egg

Easy Crème Pâtissière: 

500ml of whole milk

Good splash of pure vanilla extract

2 large free-range eggs, at room temperature

100g of caster sugar

50g of strong flour

16g of custard powder

For the Crème Diplomat:

150ml of double cream, lightly whipped to soft peaks

Topping/Decoration:

Fresh strawberries

Strawberry jam, for glazing – must be boiling before brushing over the fruit

Method:

1. To make the pastry: Sieve the flour into a large mixing bowl. Add the chilled, cubed butter and using your fingertips rub the butter into the flour until you have a light, airated breadcrumb mixture. Add the lemon zest and sugar and mix through. Now add the egg and vanilla and mix until you have soft dough. Wrap in cling film and place in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes.

2. To line the tin, lightly dust a clean work surface with a little flour. Roll the pastry out, rotating the dough on each turn, until you have a round piece of pastry about a pound coin thickness. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees C Fan. Wrap the pastry up onto the rolling pin and gently place into the tin. Press in fully, making sure the sides are fully compact. Prick the base with a fork, then line the pastry case with parchment paper and baking beans. Blind bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then remove the paper and beans and bake for a further 5 minutes or until the pastry is coloured. Leave to cool completely.

3. For the Crème Pâtissière: Boil the milk and vanilla gently in a saucepan. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar  until smooth. Sift in the flour and custard powder and whisk until smooth. Pour half the boiling milk and whisk, then return the custard mix back to the remaining milk on the hob. Stir until you have a really thick mixture. Then spread out into a tray, cover with cling – to prevent a skin forming and leave in the fridge until cold.

4. When your ready to construct the tart, in a mixing bowl add all the creme pâtissière. Then gently fold in the whipped cream (this is how you make a crème diplomat. Spread this mixture into the prepared pastry case. Then top with sliced strawberries, brush with the jam to glaze the top of the tart.

5. Serve slices of the tart, it will store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

strawberry tart easy

strawberry tarte

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79 thoughts on “Strawberry Tart (Tarte aux Fraises)

  1. Such a pity that strawberries are no longer in season where I live, because I’d really like to make this gorgeous tart. It looks simply stunning!

  2. I think you’re right that this is everyone’s kind of dessert, Jessica! How could it not be – it’s beautiful! I’m totally in awe of anyone who can make these kinds of desserts. You’re clearly a natural. 🙂

  3. Wow you can really make strawberries look even more beautiful than they naturally are. This looks amazing! You seriously need have a bakery 😀

  4. This looks like it’s out of a pastry shop! I always have issues with tart crust shrinking, so I appreciate the step by step! So seasonal, simple, and gorgeous.

  5. Jess, this is an absolutely stunning tart! Pinning…and I also kind of want to host a Wimbledon party now. 🙂

  6. his is absolutely beautiful! I love tarte aux fraises !!! You know Pierre Hermé’s strawberry pie? Hermé Pierre is the best pastry cook to the world. Your tart is also attractive as his!!
    Bye
    Manuella

  7. I am loving strawberry season as well – I just can’t get enough. This tart looks amazing – fruit tarts like this are my favorite this time of the year!

  8. Jess, you had me at Creme’ Patissiere! And then folding in the whip cream? Perfection! I long for strawberry season and IT IS HERE!! Your presentation is beautiful and the care you took to cut each strawberry is inspiring! Thank you for your recipe!

  9. Jess, you had me at Creme’ Patissiere! And then folding in the whip cream? Perfection! I long for strawberry season and IT IS HERE!! Your presentation is beautiful and the care you took to cut each strawberry is inspiring! Thank you for your recipe!

  10. Thank you Jessica for coming by to my space. Happy to follow you. You have a space with wonderful recipe. The tart looks delicious n so summery 🙂

  11. Such a stunning tart Jess, especially for a family celebration!

  12. Strawberry tarts are a classic and you can’t go wrong with this. Yours is so pretty and perfect! Definitely a nice accompaniment to Wimbledon–though too bad it’s already over today.

  13. What a gorgeous summery tart! It has my name all over! I’m loving your strawberry recipes. Keep them coming 🙂

  14. OMG this looks amazing – I can almost taste it ! Can’t wait to make this one !
    Thanks xx

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