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Mini Fruit Tarts

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  • Author: clara
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Chill Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 12 mini tarts 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Description

These Mini Fruit Tarts are buttery, crisp tart shells filled with a smooth vanilla pastry cream and topped with fresh, colorful fruit. They’re light, refreshing, and perfect for parties, afternoon tea, or special occasions!


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Tart Shells:

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold & cubed
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 12 tablespoons ice water

For the Pastry Cream (Custard Filling):

  • 1 1/4 cups whole milk
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

For the Topping:

  • 1 cup fresh fruit, sliced (strawberries, kiwi, blueberries, raspberries, etc.)
  • 1/4 cup apricot or strawberry jam (for glaze)
  • 1 tablespoon water



Instructions

Step 1: Make the Tart Shells

  1. In a food processor or bowl, mix flour and powdered sugar.
  2. Add cold butter and pulse (or use a pastry cutter) until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Add egg yolk, vanilla, and ice water (1 tablespoon at a time), mixing until dough forms.
  4. Shape dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  6. Roll out dough and press into mini tart pans or a muffin tin.
  7. Prick the bottom with a fork, line with parchment paper, and add pie weights.
  8. Bake for 12-15 minutes, then cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Pastry Cream

  1. Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming (not boiling).
  2. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth.
  3. Slowly pour in hot milk, whisking constantly, then return mixture to the saucepan.
  4. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until thickened (3-5 minutes).
  5. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract and butter, then cool completely.

Step 3: Assemble the Tarts

  1. Fill cooled tart shells with pastry cream.
  2. Arrange fresh fruit on top in a decorative pattern.

Step 4: Add the Glaze

  1. Heat apricot jam and water in a small saucepan until melted.
  2. Brush glaze over fruit for shine.
  3. Chill tarts for 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • No tart pans? Use a mini muffin tin for tartlets.
  • Make-Ahead: Bake tart shells 1 day in advance and store in an airtight container.
  • Extra Flavor: Add lemon zest to the pastry cream for a citrusy kick!