Description
Majestic Berry Medley Tart is a delightful dessert featuring a buttery tart crust filled with a creamy, smooth cream cheese mixture and topped with a vibrant assortment of fresh berries. Finished with a glossy apricot glaze, this French-American inspired tart offers a perfect balance of sweetness and tang, ideal for summer celebrations or elegant gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
- 1 egg yolk
- 1–2 tablespoons cold water
Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup heavy cream (cold)
Topping
- 1 cup strawberries (halved)
- ¾ cup blueberries
- ¾ cup raspberries
- ½ cup blackberries
- 2 tablespoons apricot jam (optional, for glaze)
- 1 teaspoon water
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a food processor, pulse together flour and powdered sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Incorporate the egg yolk and pulse again. Gradually add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough starts to come together.
- Shape and bake the crust: Press the dough evenly into a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom, making sure to cover the bottom and sides uniformly. Prick the bottom with a fork to prevent bubbling. Bake for 18–20 minutes or until the crust is lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
- Prepare the filling: In a mixing bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, whip the cold heavy cream until soft peaks form, then gently fold this whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until well combined and airy.
- Assemble the tart: Spread the cream cheese filling evenly into the cooled tart shell and smooth the surface with a spatula. Arrange the halved strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries decoratively on top of the filling to create an appealing berry medley.
- Apply the glaze: To achieve a glossy finish, heat apricot jam and water together in a small saucepan over low heat or microwave until melted and smooth. Gently brush this glaze over the arranged berries to enhance their shine and preserve freshness.
- Chill before serving: Place the completed tart in the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour to set the filling and allow flavors to meld before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For convenience, you can substitute the homemade crust with a store-bought tart crust to save time.
- This tart can be prepared up to one day in advance. For best texture, add the fresh berries and glaze just before serving.
- Ensure the heavy cream is cold for optimal whipping results.
- Use fresh, ripe berries for the best flavor and presentation.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
