Mini Fruit Tarts Recipe

Mini fruit tarts are a classic French-inspired dessert that combines a buttery, crisp crust with smooth vanilla pastry cream and a vibrant fresh fruit topping. These bite-sized treats are perfect for parties, afternoon tea, or as an elegant finish to a meal.

Making mini fruit tarts from scratch may seem intimidating, but with the right steps, they’re surprisingly simple. This recipe guides you through creating flaky tart shells, a rich custard filling, and a glossy fruit glaze for a professional-looking result. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced baker, these tarts will impress with their balance of textures and flavors.

5 Reasons You’ll Love These Mini Fruit Tarts

• Elegant Presentation: The colorful fruit topping makes these tarts visually stunning.
• Customizable: Use any seasonal fruit—berries, kiwi, mango, or citrus work beautifully.
• Perfect for Entertaining: Individual portions make serving easy.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Components can be prepared in advance for stress-free assembly.

What You’ll Need for Perfect Mini Fruit Tarts Recipe

For the Tart Shells

• 1 ½ cups (180g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 tbsp ice water (if needed)

For the Pastry Cream

• 2 cups (480ml) whole milk
• 3 large egg yolks
• ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter

For the Fruit Topping & Glaze

• 2 cups mixed fresh fruit (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi)
• ¼ cup apricot jam (for glaze)
• 1 tbsp water

Step-by-Step: How to Make Mini Fruit Tarts Like a Pro

Step 1: Make the Tart Dough

1. In a food processor, pulse flour, sugar, and cold butter until crumbly.
2. Add egg yolk and mix until dough comes together. If too dry, add ice water, 1 tsp at a time.
3. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Bake the Tart Shells

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Roll dough to ⅛-inch thickness and press into mini tart pans. Trim excess.
3. Prick bottoms with a fork, line with parchment, and fill with pie weights or dried beans.
4. Bake for 12 minutes, remove weights, and bake 5 more minutes until golden. Cool completely.

Step 3: Prepare the Pastry Cream

1. Heat milk in a saucepan until steaming.
2. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch in a bowl.
3. Slowly pour hot milk into yolk mixture, whisking constantly.
4. Return to heat and cook, stirring, until thick (about 2-3 minutes).
5. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and butter. Cover with plastic (directly on surface) and chill.

Step 4: Assemble the Tarts

1. Fill cooled tart shells with pastry cream.
2. Arrange sliced fruit on top.
3. Heat apricot jam with water, then brush over fruit for shine.

Chef’s Secrets: Elevate Your Mini Fruit Tarts

Pro Tips for Perfect Mini Fruit Tarts

1. Keep Ingredients Cold – For flaky tart shells, use cold butter and ice water. This prevents the dough from becoming greasy.
2. Blind Bake Properly – Always prick the dough with a fork and use pie weights (or dried beans) to prevent air bubbles.
3. Avoid Soggy Bottoms – Brush baked shells with melted white or dark chocolate before adding custard. This creates a moisture barrier.
4. Smooth Pastry Cream – Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve to remove lumps for a silky texture.
5. Glaze for Shine – Warm apricot jam with a little water and brush it over the fruit for a glossy, professional finish.

Easy Variations to Try

• No-Bake Option – Use store-bought shortbread cookies or phyllo cups instead of homemade tart shells.
• Dairy-Free/Vegan – Substitute coconut milk for dairy and use a plant-based butter in the crust.
• Flavor Twists –
  • Add lemon zest to the dough for a citrusy touch.
  • Mix cocoa powder into the crust for a chocolate version.
  • Infuse the custard with lavender or almond extract for a unique taste.
• Different Fruits – Try mango, passion fruit, or pomegranate seeds for a tropical twist.
• Mini Cheesecake Tarts – Swap pastry cream for a cream cheese filling topped with berry compote.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Crust Too Crumbly? – Add a teaspoon of cold water until the dough holds together.
• Custard Lumpy? – Whisk vigorously while cooking, or blend with an immersion blender.
• Fruit Slipping Off? – Lightly press fruit into the custard and chill before glazing.

These tips and variations ensure your mini fruit tarts turn out flawless every time!

From Brunch to Black Tie: Serving Ideas for Every Occasion

Mini fruit tarts are as versatile as they are delicious. Here are some creative ways to serve them for any occasion:

For Everyday Enjoyment

• Simple & Elegant – Serve chilled with a light dusting of powdered sugar for a classic touch.
• With Tea or Coffee – Pair with an afternoon espresso or floral herbal tea to complement the fruit flavors.

For Special Occasions

• Dessert Platter – Arrange an assortment of tarts with different fruits (berries, kiwi, mango) for a colorful display.
• With Ice Cream or Whipped Cream – Add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream for extra indulgence.
• Chocolate Drizzle – Melt dark or white chocolate and drizzle over the tarts for a decadent finish.

Party & Entertaining Ideas

• Mini Dessert Bar – Set up a DIY tart station with custard-filled shells and bowls of assorted fruits for guests to customize.
• Brunch Addition – Serve alongside pastries and fresh fruit for a luxurious brunch spread.
• Wedding or Baby Shower Desserts – These tarts make beautiful, bite-sized treats for elegant events.

Kid-Friendly Serving Ideas

• Fun Shapes – Use cookie cutters to make star or heart-shaped tart shells.
• Mini Parfaits – Crumble leftover tart shells into glasses, layer with custard and fruit for a deconstructed version.

No matter how you serve them, these mini fruit tarts are sure to impress!

How to Store & Reheat

• Room Temperature: Keep assembled tarts at room temperature for up to 2 hours.
• Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Freeze: Freeze unbaked shells for up to 1 month. Pastry cream should not be frozen.

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Mini fruit tarts recipe

Jessica

Mini fruit tarts recipe featuring a buttery crust and creamy pastry cream filling! Our tart recipe is topped with fresh fruit, perfect for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine French

Servings 12 tarts

Calories 180 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Tart Shells

• 1 ½ cups 180g all-purpose flour
• ½ cup 115g unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ¼ cup 50g granulated sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 tbsp ice water if needed

For the Pastry Cream

• 2 cups 480ml whole milk
• 3 large egg yolks
• ½ cup 100g granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter

For the Fruit Topping & Glaze

• 2 cups mixed fresh fruit strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi
• ¼ cup apricot jam for glaze
• 1 tbsp water

Instructions

 

Step 1: Make the Tart Dough

• In a food processor, pulse flour, sugar, and cold butter until crumbly.
• Add egg yolk and mix until dough comes together. If too dry, add ice water, 1 tsp at a time.
• Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Bake the Tart Shells

• Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Roll dough to ⅛-inch thickness and press into mini tart pans. Trim excess.
• Prick bottoms with a fork, line with parchment, and fill with pie weights or dried beans.
• Bake for 12 minutes, remove weights, and bake 5 more minutes until golden. Cool completely.

Step 3: Prepare the Pastry Cream

• Heat milk in a saucepan until steaming.
• Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch in a bowl.
• Slowly pour hot milk into yolk mixture, whisking constantly.
• Return to heat and cook, stirring, until thick (about 2-3 minutes).
• Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and butter. Cover with plastic (directly on surface) and chill.

Step 4: Assemble the Tarts

• Fill cooled tart shells with pastry cream.
• Arrange sliced fruit on top.
• Heat apricot jam with water, then brush over fruit for shine.

Notes

Nutrition Information (Per Tart)

Calories	Fat	Carbs	Protein	Sugar	Fiber
180 kcal	9g	22g	3g	12g	1g

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The Final Slice: Why This Recipe Wins

Mini fruit tarts are a delightful dessert that balances buttery crust, creamy custard, and fresh fruit. With this recipe, you can easily recreate a bakery-quality treat at home. Experiment with different fruits and flavors to make them your own.

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