Description
Paula Deen’s Fruit Tart brings Mediterranean sunshine to dessert tables with elegant simplicity. Crisp buttery crust cradles fresh seasonal fruits and silky pastry cream, inviting you to savor summer’s sweet delights in one delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Flour and Dry Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ cup confectioner’s sugar
Butter and Cream Base:
- 1 ½ sticks (170 grams) softened and sliced unsalted butter
- 1 (8 ounces / 226 grams) package softened cream cheese
- ½ cup plus ¼ cup granulated sugar
Liquid and Topping Ingredients:
- 1 (6 ounces / 177 milliliters) can thawed frozen limeade concentrate
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Fresh fruit for topping: strawberries, kiwi slices, blueberries, raspberries
- Whipped cream for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by setting the temperature to 175°C / 350°F, creating an ideal baking atmosphere for the tart crust.
- Craft the crust by combining confectioner’s sugar, all-purpose flour, and softened butter in a food processor. Pulse until the ingredients transform into a cohesive dough. Carefully press the mixture into a 12-inch tart pan, ensuring an even distribution across the bottom and sides. Bake for 10-12 minutes until it achieves a delicate golden hue, then allow to cool completely.
- Create the creamy base by whipping cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes silky smooth and uniform in texture. Spread this luscious layer evenly across the cooled crust, creating a rich foundation.
- Artfully arrange the fruit topping by positioning strawberry slices in a circular pattern around the tart’s outer edge. Intersperse kiwi slices between the strawberries, creating a visually appealing design. Fill any remaining spaces with blueberries and cluster raspberries in the central area.
- Develop the glossy glaze by combining limeade concentrate, cornstarch, fresh lime juice, and granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium temperature, stirring consistently until it transforms into a clear, thickened consistency, approximately 2 minutes. Allow the glaze to cool slightly.
- Apply the glaze delicately using a pastry brush, gently coating the fruit with a light, translucent layer. Use restraint to avoid oversaturating the fruit.
- Complete the tart by refrigerating for a minimum of 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and set. Before serving, remove from the refrigerator 15 minutes in advance. Divide into 8 elegant wedges and accompany with a dollop of whipped cream for an exquisite finishing touch.
Notes
- Keep the crust crisp by cooling it completely after baking, preventing any unwanted sogginess from creeping into your beautiful creation.
- Soften cream cheese to room temperature for a silky-smooth filling that spreads like a dream, avoiding those pesky lumps that can ruin your tart’s perfect texture.
- Slice fruits with precision and care, creating eye-catching circular patterns that showcase your artistic culinary skills and make the tart look professionally crafted.
- Apply glaze sparingly – just enough to give your fruit a gorgeous sheen without drowning the delicate flavors or making the crust wet and limp.
- Chill the tart for at least an hour before serving, allowing the filling to set perfectly and making each slice clean and picture-worthy.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 412
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 139mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.7g
- Fiber: 2.1g
- Protein: 3.3g
- Cholesterol: 46mg