Description
This Majestic Berry Medley Tart is a luscious dessert featuring a buttery, golden crust filled with a smooth cream cheese mixture and topped with a vibrant assortment of fresh berries. Perfect for summer gatherings or any festive occasion, it combines the tartness of lemon with the natural sweetness of berries, finished with an optional apricot glaze for an elegant shine.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons ice water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, cold
Topping
- 1/2 cup sliced strawberries
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup raspberries
- 1/2 cup blackberries
Optional Glaze
- 2 tablespoons apricot jam (for glaze)
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: In a food processor, pulse together the flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Incorporate the egg yolk, ice water, and vanilla extract, pulsing until the dough just comes together.
- Chill the dough: Press the dough evenly into a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Place the tart pan in the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes to set.
- Bake the crust: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prick the bottom of the tart shell with a fork to prevent bubbling, then bake the crust for 15 to 18 minutes or until it turns a light golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely.
- Make the filling: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy.
- Whip the cream: In a separate chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form, indicating it’s firm enough to fold into the cream cheese mixture without losing volume.
- Combine filling: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully incorporated, creating a light and fluffy filling.
- Assemble the tart: Spread the cream cheese filling evenly into the cooled tart crust, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
- Decorate with berries: Arrange the strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries on top of the filling in a decorative pattern for an eye-catching presentation.
- Optional glaze: If desired, warm the apricot jam slightly to make it brushable, then lightly glaze the berries to give them a glossy finish and help preserve freshness.
- Chill before serving: Refrigerate the assembled tart for at least 1 hour to allow the filling to set and flavors to meld before slicing and serving.
Notes
- You can use any combination of fresh berries based on availability or preference.
- The tart can be prepared a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator to enhance flavor and convenience.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suited for baking.
- Ensure the butter and heavy cream are cold for optimal texture in both crust and filling.
