Strawberry Custard Tart

This strawberry custard tart boasts a buttery crust filled with the dreamiest custard filling that is so smooth and creamy. The custard is topped off with juicy, summer strawberries that are sprinkled with a light dusting of sugar. This tart is one of those desserts that is simply both beautiful and delicious; and makes for an absolutely luscious treat.

this recipe

My favourite time to enjoy this tart is when the summer harvest brings strawberries that are ripe, sweet, and bursting with flavour.

Sweet tart crust

For this recipe, we are going to need a partially-baked crust to start. Try this tender and buttery tart crust to make on your own at home. This crust with just a touch of sweetness is the perfect base for this strawberry custard tart. However, if you're short on time or simply don't feel like making crust, you could buy and use a pre-made, nine-inch tart crust.

Making the custard filling

Preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C. To prep for making the custard, peel a thick slice of zest from a lemon. Cut open a vanilla bean pod and scrape out the seeds before discarding the pod. In a saucepan, bring the cream, milk, vanilla bean seeds, the strip of lemon zest, and a bit of freshly grated nutmeg just to a boil.

Meanwhile add the egg yolks and sifted, powdered sugar into a large mixing bowl. Stir them together until the mixture begins to lighten in colour. Slowly pour the hot cream mixture in with the egg yolks and sugar, continuously stirring while you pour. This makes the custard. Strain the custard through a sieve into another bowl. Allow it to sit for a few minutes before skimming off any froth that has accumulated on the surface.

Pour the custard into your partially-baked tart crust. If you find it difficult to transfer the liquid-filled tart crust into the oven, just fill it to an easy-to-move level, then top it off with the remaining custard once safely on the middle rack of the oven. Bake the tart until the custard is almost completely set with just the slightest jiggle in the centre when you move the pan. It is very important to wait for it to reach this level of doneness; otherwise you will end up with a custard pudding-filled crust. The tart will take about forty minutes or so to bake.

Set the tart on a cooling rack to cool before removing it from the tart pan. Allow it to completely cool before decorating it.

Decorating the strawberry custard tart

Select nicely shaped strawberries. Preferably they would be roughly even in size, but if they vary, just plan to place the larger ones at the centre of the tart, and the smaller nearer the outside. Rinse the strawberries and pat them dry. Slice the stem end of the strawberry off, leaving a flat surface for the berry to sit on. Place the strawberries in a ring around the rim of the tart and work your way inwards.

Sprinkle some superfine sugar all over the strawberries to finish off the tart. Your delicious strawberry custard tart is all set to enjoy.

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