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You are here: Home / Tarts and Pies / Strawberry Tartlets with Custard
One Strawberry Tartlet

November 26, 2019

Strawberry Tartlets with Custard

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Nothing says ‘Summer Time‘ like these little Strawberry Tartlets with Pastry Cream. The flaky pastry crust filled with creamy custard and topped with fresh strawberries is the perfect way to finish (or why not start) a meal!


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Don’t you just love Strawberry Tartlets in summer? It is the kind of dessert that pleases everyone – kids included! It does require a little bit of work, but the final result is always spectacular. A great way to impress your guests at the end of a meal!

Mini Strawberry Tarts Ingredients

Just like their name indicates, these Mini Strawberry Custard Tarts are made out of three elements:

  • The Tartlet Pastry – an Almond Shortcrust Pastry here
  • A Creamy Filling – a Vanilla Crème Pâtissière (aka Pastry Cream)
  • Fresh Fruits – the deliciously sweet Strawberries

Tartlet Pastry

The Tartlet Crust is made from an ‘Almond Pate Sucrée‘, which is best translated as a Sweet Almond Shortcrust Pastry. To make the pastry for these Strawberry Tartlets with Pastry Cream, you will need (see below for quantities):

  • Almond Meal
  • Plain / All-Purpose Flour
  • Powdered Sugar (or Icing Sugar)
  • Salt
  • Unsalted Butter
  • Egg

Pastry Cream Tart Filling

The filling for the French Fruit Tart is another big classic: the Crème Patissiere (aka Pastry Cream… or Vanilla Custard). It is made from:

  • Milk
  • Caster Sugar
  • Egg Yolks
  • Cornstarch
  • Vanilla – either Bean, Paste or Essence.
  • Butter – optional

To make the Custard Filling of the Strawberry Tartlets with Custard, read my recipe for Pastry Cream here.

Small Strawberry Tart on a plate

How to make Strawberry Custard Tarts

To make the Mini Fruit Tarts with Custard, you will first need to make the Tart Pastry, chill it and blind bake it. While the tartlet shells are cooling, you will then start to make the Custard Filling and fill the pastry cases with it. Finally, you will be able to place the fresh Strawberries over the cream.

How to make Sweet Shortcrust Pastry

I know that a lot of people feel intimidated about making their own pastries and pie crusts but with a little bit of practice, it really isn’t that complicated! The most important thing is to give your pastry plenty of time to rest and chill, every time you handle it.

Here is how I make my Sweet Shortcrust Pastry:

  1. Place all the Dry Ingredients in the bowl of my mixer. Add the Butter at room temperature and cut into small cubes. With the paddle attachment of your mixer on, turn on low to medium speed to mix all of the ingredients together. The texture should be crumbly, thick sand-like.
  2. Beat the Egg in a small separate bowl and add it to the rest of the ingredients. Beat it in for a few seconds only, or until the dough starts to come together.
  3. Place the pastry dough between two sheets of lightly floured Baking Paper and roll into the desired thickness. Place in the fridge to rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  4. Line your pastry rings – I used 10 cm / 4 inch Perforated Pastry Rings – and prick the bottom with a small fork.
    See this great video on how to “foncer” (line) tartlet rings if needed
  5. Turn your oven on 160’C/325’F. While it is pre-heating, place your filled pastry rings (or tins) in the freezer.
  6. Blind bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until fully baked.
  7. Remove from the oven and leave to cool down completely.

You are now ready for part 2 of your Berry Custard Tart!

Close up on the Strawberry Tartlet with Custard

Vanilla Crème Patissière (Custard Filling)

Another element that could sound a bit scary to make but is actually quite quick and easy! I always make my own Tart Custard Filling with a Pastry Cream recipe, but you can always use a store-bought packet one if you do not want to attempt to make your own.

To make Crème Pâtissière:

  • Heat up the Milk in a small pot on low heat with the Vanilla.
    Make sure to keep an eye on it as it will start to boil quite quickly.
  • In the meantime, whisk together the Caster Sugar and Egg Yolks. Then add the Cornstarch and whisk until incorporated.
  • When the Milk is boiling, move it away from the stove and pour in the Sugar/Yolk mixture. Mix well then place back on the heat source. Keep whisking until thick and shinny then remove transfer into a clean bowl.
  • If you want to add Butter, do it now away from the heat. Whisk until combined.
  • Cover with plastic wrap touching the surface and place in the fridge to cool.

Pastry Cream Tip: How to know that your custard is cooked and ready?
As a general rule, it should be cooked for 1 minute per 1 litre of milk once it starts boiling again after adding the sugar/yolk. For this recipe, you will need 250ml of Milk so the custard should be cooked for another 15 seconds after it starts to boil again.

Again, you will find the full recipe and video of my Pastry Cream recipe here!

Putting together the Mini Fruit Tarts with Custard

The last step is to put all of the elements together to create the most delicious little summer Strawberry Tartlets with Custard!

First, check that the Custard’s temperature went back down to Room Temperature. You want it still fluid to be able to pour it into the tart crusts, but not hot. If it seems to have set, simply loosen it with a whisk.

Pour the Custard into each Tartlet Crust and use a small Offset Spatula to smooth the top. Set aside.

Wash your Strawberries and cut off the stems. With a small knife, slice the strawberries into thin strips then poke them into your Custard filling.

Strawberry Custard Tart in the making

How to store these Fresh Fruit Tartlets with Cream

Depending on which steps your are at, you will need to store the elements differently.

Just the Pastry Crusts: they can be kept in an air-tight container at room temperature for a couple of days. Otherwise, they can be frozen (see below for tips on how to freeze pastry).

The Custard: it should always be stored in the fridge as it contains Eggs, and covered with a plastic wrap touching the surface. This will avoid the creation of a thick film over the cream. Pastry Cream or Custard can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How long does a fruit tart last in the fridge once put together: I recommend to eat them within 2 days so that the curst stays flakey and crunchy.

Can you make these French Strawberry Custard Tarts ahead?

Basically all elements of these tartlets can be made in advance, but once put together they are better eaten fresh.

The Tartlet Crusts can be made and blind baked about 2 days in advance, and kept at room temperature in an air-tight container.

The Custard can be made up to three days ahead (if eaten straight away after 3 days) and kept in the fridge with a plastic wrap touching the surface. When ready to be assembled, vigorously whisk the cream to loosen it. You may need to re-heat it a little bit so that you can pour it into the tart shells, but make sure not to burn it!

The finished Strawberry Tartlets should be eaten fresh within 24 hours, but can be kept for up to 48 hours in the fridge when made with fresh Custard.

Can you freeze these Strawberry Tartlets?

I do not recommend freezing these Mini Strawberry Tarts once they are assembled, but you can freeze the Pastry Crust.

To freeze pastry, I find it easier to pre-fill the pastry rings or tins and freeze them in the desired shape. To do so, make, roll, chill, line the tins and poke the pastry as needed then place them on a baking tray and freeze. Once fully frozen, you can remove the tartlet rings/tins and carefully transfer them into a freezer-friendly container.

To bake them, place the rings back around the tartlets and bake as instructed, adding about 5 minutes for them to thaw.

A finished Mini Strawberry Tart

More French Tarts Recipes:

Easy French Apple Tart
French Triple Chocolate Tart
Pear Tarte Tatin
White Peach Frangipane Tart
Apricot Tarte Tatin
Plum Vanilla Custard Tart

Individual Strawberry Custard Tarts Recipe:

One Strawberry Tartlet
Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Fresh Strawberry Tartlets with Vanilla Custard

These French Strawberry Tartlets with Custard Filling are the ultimate summer dessert: flaky homemade pastry crust, creamy Pastry Cream and Strawberries!
Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Cooling Time1 hr
Total Time1 hr 50 mins
Course: afternoon tea, Dessert
Cuisine: French
Servings: 6 Tartlets (10cm / 4 inch)
Author: A Baking Journey

Ingredients

Sweet Shortcrust Pastry (Almond Pate Sucrée)

  • 200 gr (1 1/3 cup) Plain / All-Purpose Flour
  • 15 gr (2 tbsp) Powdered Sugar, or Icing Sugar
  • 40 gr (1/3 cup + 2 tbsp) Almond Meal
  • 1 pinch Salt
  • 120 gr (1/2 cup) Butter, at room temperature
  • 1 Egg

1/2 batch of Vanilla Pastry Cream

    250 gr (9oz) Fresh Strawberries

      Instructions

      Sweet Shortcrust Pastry (Almond Pate Sucrée)

      • Place all the Dry Ingredients (Flour, Powdered Sugar, Almond Meal and Salt) in the bowl of your mixer. Cut the Butter at Room Temperature into small cubes and add it to the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed with the paddle attachment of your mixer, until the texture is crumbly, thick sand-like and you don't see big chuncks of butter.
      • Beat the Egg in a small separate bowl and add it to the rest of the ingredients. Beat it in for a few seconds only, or until the dough starts to come together. Don't overmix the dough.
      • Transfer the pastry dough between two sheets of lightly floured Baking Paper. Thinly Roll into the desired thickness, then place in the fridge to rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Cut the flat pastry into 6 pieces to line your rings/tins and use a fork to prick the bottom of the pastry.
      • Turn your oven on 160'C/325'F. While the oven is pre-heating, place your filled pastry rings (or tins) in the freezer on a baking tray.
      • Blind bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until fully baked (see note 1). Remove from the oven and leave to cool down completely.

      Pastry Cream

      • While your Tartlet Shells are baking, start preparing your Pastry Cream – find the full instructions here.
      • When cooked, transfer into a clean bowl and cover with plastic wrap touching the surface of the cream. Place in the fridge to cool until it reaches room temperature.

      Assembling the Strawberry Tartlets together

      • Pour the Pastry Cream (you can also use a piping bag with round nozzle for more precision) into each Tartlet Shell and smooth the top with an offset spatula.
      • Wash your Strawberries and remove the stem. Slice them into strips and poke them into the Custard to almost completely cover it (see note 2).
      • Keep inthe fridge for up to 2 days.

      Notes

      1. I did not use weights or baking beads here – if the pastry has rested and chilled enough, it should not move or shrink when baked. If you are scared it might shrink, you can always add a little bit of baking paper over the lined pastry shells and add beads or weights. Remove the about half-way through the baking so that the bottom is fully baked too.
      2. There are many other ways to decorate/finish the tartlets so it is really up to you! I like the ‘unorganised, messy’ look but you can also go for a more simple, arranged finish.
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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Adrianne says

        December 1, 2019 at 4:17 pm

        Sylvie, this looks so pretty!! I love the simple combination of strawberries and custard and the presentation is perfect, great baking lady xx

        Reply
        • A Baking Journey says

          December 1, 2019 at 9:01 pm

          Thanks Adrianne, glad you like the recipe!

          Reply
      2. Andrea says

        December 1, 2019 at 6:46 pm

        These beautiful tarts are on our list for Christmas Day. Thank you for sharing this incredible recipe!

        Reply
        • A Baking Journey says

          December 1, 2019 at 9:02 pm

          Thanks Andrea! They would be great for Christmas indeed 🙂

          Reply
      3. Sally says

        December 4, 2019 at 2:26 pm

        These look so amazing Sylvie! Just a delicious flavour combination, and the perfect way to end a summer dinner.

        Reply
        • A Baking Journey says

          December 6, 2019 at 9:17 am

          Thanks Sally! Perfect for summer 🙂

          Reply
      4. Robyn says

        December 5, 2019 at 4:52 pm

        These are stunning Sylvie! The perfect dessert for Christmas!

        Reply
        • A Baking Journey says

          December 6, 2019 at 9:18 am

          Thanks so much Robyn!

          Reply

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      Hi there! I'm Sylvie, a Belgian Expat living in Melbourne, Australia. I am a passionate Baker who loves to share her favourite recipes and baking tips. Join me on my Baking Journey! Read More…

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