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.
Tools/Ingredients You May Need:
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Berry Tarts
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (84 g) almond meal
- ¼ cup (22.5 g) sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 ½ tablespoons (1.5 tablespoons) coconut oil
- ⅛ teaspoon (0.13 teaspoon) kosher salt
- 1 batch Pastry Cream
- 1 ½ 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 ½-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.
How beautiful ... what a perfect dessert for entertaining guests this spring and summer. And I just love the sound of that coconut creme patissiere. Like you say, this is simple ... but a very sexy dessert option indeed!
Thank you so much Helen! Sexy is a very nice description indeed 😉
I haven't been able to get enough berries lately! These tarts are beautiful!
Thank you so much Jessica! Me neither- they're just amazing lately!
Your photos are beautiful! These are the prettiest tarts I have seen and I love the idea of the apple jelly on top. Thanks!
Thank you so much Karen! It's easy to make them pretty when the berries are just so naturally beautiful. 🙂
Wow! These are just stunning! When I was living in DC, I would sometimes treat myself to a berry tart at a little Bavarian pastry shop - so good! I haven't had one in years, but with your recipe... I'm going to have to make these!
I love a fruit dessert so these are so perfect for me. They're so bright and cheerful too, lovely recipe.
Allie, your tarts are simply stunning!
Aw, thank you so much! I think the fruit is just so beautiful on it's own. You really don't have to do much to it!
Allie, these are gorgeous!!! I want those tart pans from Sur La Table!!! and that pastry cream!!! LOVE! so beautiful!!
Thanks Alice! I'm so happy you like them. Hope you have a great day my dear! <3
Gorgeous!!! I love this recipe!!! Thank you for taking the time to make and share this with us!!! You are awesome!!! Your family is lucky to have such a dedicated Mom and amazing chef/baker...really!!!
Aw you are too kind! And I could say the same about you 🙂
I can't believe these photos! So lovely Allie.
Aw, thanks Karen! The fruit is just so photogenic, isn't it? So happy you stopped by; have a great day hon!
Dear Allie, what a beautiful spring dessert. I love berry tarts...a perfect warm weather treat. xo, Catherine
Thank you so much Catherine! The berries have just been so beautiful at my market lately. They deserved to be spotlighted!
Gorgeous photos, Allie! I love that GIF...and these tarts, well, I'm drooling now. 🙂
Thanks Marissa! You're such a sweetheart; enjoy your day my dear!
Gorgeous! Totally beautiful berry tarts. My husband always loves this kind of sweet treats, and we often have this in mini version. Can't wait to give this a try. And of course, beautiful kitchen and I'm in love with white + gold combo! (Somehow I was unable to comment on your last post).
Sorry about that Linda! I've been battling back-end issues for weeks now. Thank you so much for the sweet comment and I'm so happy you enjoyed! 🙂
I love the gif!!! I totally need to make these for Michael, he loooves berry tarts!
Thanks Kayle! I hope Michael enjoys as much as we did! 😀
Those look amazing! Sounds like the perfect way to ring in the warmer weather, with all these fresh fruits 🙂
Thank you so much June! That's just what I thought too. The berries have been amazing lately! Have a great day my friend!
Are you really telling me I can eat these beautiful tarts? That's the best news I've heard all day!
These tarts definitely are a great welcome to Spring! They are so delicate and full of color. I love your picture slide shows!