Berry Tarts
Welcome spring with these gorgeous berry tarts! With a tender, shortbread-like crust made from almonds and coconut, and a luscious pastry cream filling, you can go ahead and enjoy this gluten-free, dairy-free dessert.
I’m late getting this post to you! Sorry guys. The last few weekends have just been nuts. I had the kitchen painted and went to a conference, then came home and it was Easter, and my older son’s birthday party, then this past weekend we had my younger son’s party, plus opening ceremonies and no less than THREE little league games. Eep! I got exactly zero done and by the time Sunday night rolled around I just seriously needed to chill for a hot second.
I think I’m finally able to start getting caught up again though, and these seem like a nice way to get things rolling.
They’re pretty basic really, just a regular ol’ fruit tart, but the nice thing is they are also gluten- and dairy-free. With a really subtle coconut thing happening, which I think is just so lovely at this time of year.
We are using that pastry cream from last week. If you haven’t seen the video yet, I would love for you to check it out! I had a lot of fun putting it together, and I think it really does a good job of expressing how peaceful and enjoyable it can be to spend time in the kitchen, putting love and care into preparing something so delicious.
The coconut milk pastry cream gets spooned or piped into these little mini-tart shells. I used a recipe from Gourmande in the Kitchen (such a beautiful site!), modifying it only slightly to balance the added sweetness from regular sweetened shredded coconut. I just loved the combination of almond and coconut, and the texture is just as tender as can be. It almost reminds me of a crumbly shortbread. Such a gorgeous compliment to the rich, creamy filling and fresh, sweet berries!
Pastry chefs and bakeries typically use an apricot glaze for tarts like this. Evidently it’s a really neutral flavor. I wasn’t able to find it at my supermarket, so I just used a little bit of apple jelly, warmed and diluted with a few drops of water. It puts a really pretty shine on the fruit.
These berry tarts are such a beautiful way to welcome Spring! Haven’t the berries been gorgeous lately? I’ve been buying tons, they’re just so wonderful and my supermarket has been doing a buy-one-get-one thing so I just can’t resist.
This recipe makes just two petite tartlets (I used these pans), and I’m imagining it would be so nice to make them for Mother’s Day. One for you, one for mom, with a couple of glasses of champagne or a pot of tea to share. Or, if you need to feed a crowd, the recipe can easily be doubled or even tripled.
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Berry Tarts
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (84 g) almond meal
- 1/4 cup (22.5 g) sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 1/2 tablespoons (1.5 tablespoons) coconut oil
- 1/8 teaspoon (0.13 teaspoon) kosher salt
- 1 batch Pastry Cream
- 1 1/2 cups (232.5 g) fresh berries, (I used strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries)
- 3 tablespoons apple jelly
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place the almond meal, sweetened shredded coconut, coconut oil, and salt in the bowl of a food processor.
- Process until well blended.
- Divide the mixture equally between (2) 4-inch diameter, 1 1/2-inch deep tart pans.
- Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the pans.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Cool the tart shells completely and fill with coconut milk pastry cream.
- Arrange fresh berries on top.
- Warm the jelly for about 15 seconds in the microwave, and dilute with a few drops of water.
- Brush the glaze onto the berries with a pastry brush.
These are so pretty and perfect for summertime! I love the fresh fruit – they’re so vibrant and gorgeous!
Thanks Becca! I just wanted to showcase those gorgeous berries!
Hi Allie,
I love the tart. It looks delicious and my mouth is full of water now
Haha, nice! So happy you enjoyed Sumit; thanks for the great feedback!
OMG these tarts are seriously so stunning. I am super late but had to comment on their loveliness.
Aw, I appreciate it Jocelyn! Welcome home love; you were missed <3
Allie,
These are gorgeous – plus, GF and dairy-free!! LOVE! I made my first gf pastry last weekend, and it turned out amazing. I may have to start doing a little more gf baking 🙂 Love the glaze – it just make these already-beautiful tarts that much more elegant.
Thank you so much Aida! I can’t wait to read about your experience with GF baking. I get questions all the time about it, and really I’m no expert in that department. But this crust worked really well and the pastry cream is a natural with coconut milk. Have a great week sweetie!
Berry tarts are up there in my all-time favorite baked goods! These are so cute and look absolutely gorgeous!
Aw, thank you so much Rachel! I hope you had a fun weekend sweetie!
These are soooooooooooo pretty Allie!! Almost too pretty to eat!
Thank you so much Annie! The berries are just gorgeous, aren’t they? You don’t even have to do a thing to them 🙂
Sounds like you have been a busy little bee! These are just gorgeous. And now I know the trick of how they always get these so shiny on top!
Ugh yes! It’s been a whirlwind lately and there’s no end to it in sight! Pray for me girl! 😛
I’d say these are totally work the wait. They’re absolutely stunning. That pastry cream is calling my name.
Yay! Thank you so much Jennie. Hope you’re enjoying this gorgeous spring day!
These mini tarts are the cutest Allie! Great for spring! Love berries!
Thanks Mira! The berries were my favorite part 😉
You have a legit reason – anything involving the kitchen and remodel/painting takes so long! And so much planning. Yet you still turn out incredible recipes like this! The almond coconut crust is killer and the presentation of the fruit is on point. Pinning! These are too gorgeous to pass up!
Aw thank you so much Mary Frances!
Gorgeous tarts! I don’t live gluten-free but that crust sounds really amazing and it looks perfect, too! Love all that coconut flavor in these beauties. 🙂
Thanks Nicole! I don’t live gluten free either but every now and then I like to feature recipes like that. Especially if they’re easily made and delicious! I’m so happy you like them; thank you so much for the sweet comment 🙂
So pretty and fresh! This is a must make for me! I’m gluten-free/dairy-free most of the week- this recipe will be a great treat for my strict days 🙂
Awesome! I hope you enjoy them as much as we did, Veronica! 🙂 🙂 🙂
These tarts are beautiful, Allie! These are perfect for spring! Love that they’re gluten free too. Hope the lil guys had an amazing birthday!
I’m so happy you like them Kelly! I thought the gluten-free crust was even tastier than the gluten-full version 😉
Judging by the ingredients of the crust, this is like basically health food! I’ll have a dozen please and thank you!
Haha yes! All good-for-you, wholesome ingredients! With the possible exception of sugar, but we both know sugar calories don’t count on a dessert blog 😉