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Easy Creamy Puff Pastry Strawberry Custard Tart

puff pastry strawberry custard tart - featured image
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A quick and easy tart featuring flaky puff pastry, silky vanilla custard, and fresh strawberries, perfect for any occasion and sure to impress.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed (Pepperidge Farm recommended)
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 large egg yolks, room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet. Lightly score a 1-inch border around the edges without cutting all the way through. Prick the center area with a fork about 30 times evenly spaced to prevent excessive puffing.
  2. Bake the puff pastry for 15-20 minutes until golden and puffed. Watch closely as edges brown quickly.
  3. While pastry bakes, heat milk and heavy cream together in a medium saucepan over medium heat until just simmering. Remove from heat.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon zest until pale and smooth.
  5. Slowly pour about half of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks while whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
  6. Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk mixture.
  7. Return saucepan to medium-low heat and whisk continuously until custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 4-6 minutes. Do not stop whisking to avoid scrambling.
  8. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and softened butter until smooth.
  9. Pour custard into a clean bowl, cover with plastic wrap pressed directly on the surface to prevent skin formation, and let cool to room temperature.
  10. Once puff pastry and custard are cooled, spread custard evenly within the pastry border.
  11. Arrange sliced strawberries on top in a single layer, overlapping slightly for presentation.
  12. Refrigerate tart for at least 1 hour to set custard before slicing and serving.

Notes

Prick the puff pastry center before baking to prevent excessive puffing. Whisk custard constantly on low heat to avoid lumps or scrambling. Chill tart for at least 1 hour before slicing for best results. For dairy-free version, substitute milk and cream with plant-based alternatives and use dairy-free butter. Use gluten-free puff pastry for gluten-free option. A glaze of warmed apricot jam brushed over strawberries adds shine and sweetness.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry tart, puff pastry tart, custard tart, easy dessert, creamy custard, fresh strawberries, quick tart recipe

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/easy-creamy-puff-pastry-strawberry-custard-tart-recipe-to-impress/