This is the kind of dessert that becomes an instant show stopper the minute you serve it to guests and family!.
We have three favorite berries in our topping made with cherry, blueberry, and red raspberries, and a list below you can mix and match with any of your family favorites.
The Italian pastry cream is smooth, silky, and delicious that sits on top of a baked pastry crust.
The crust is a buttery-rich crunch with the addition of nuts, however for nut allergies just substitute sunflower or pumpkin seeds that are toasted.
We even have more suggestions when and if you're in a hurry, but both recipes are detailed using all wholesome ingredients and made from scratch.
Berries are plentiful all summer long so don't miss trying this delicious gourmet style tart use any kinds of berries you have from the farmers market and will work perfectly but in a pinch, of course, use canned in the winter month the colors just won't be as vibrant.
Scroll down to the recipe card to print this easy recipe off.
Easy Steps to make Italian Cherry Berry Cream Tart
- Make the pastry filling first and cool completely
- prepare and bake the crust
- make the fruit thickened topping
- assemble the tart.
Don't be intimidated by scratch ingredients because if you tackle this recipe it's super easy to make.
In just minutes with a few tools, you will have a great dessert that is simple to make and our Italian pastry cream will wow anyone after taking that first bite.
Fruits to Use
- strawberries
- blueberries
- blackberries
- raspberries
- peaches
- mango
- kiwi
- mandarin oranges
- pineapple crushed
- boysenberries
- plums
- cherries
Tools You Will Need
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Bowl
- Removable bottom tart pan
- Saucepan
- Electric mixer
- Spoon
- Spatula
- Rolling pin
- Pastry mat
Ingredients You Will Need
- eggs
- sugar
- butter
- flour
- vanilla extract
- fresh fruits or canned
- sugar
- cornstarch
- salt
- milk
- egg yolks, slightly beaten
Tips:
- use any kinds of berries or a mixture
- add some berries to the filling
- use your favorite nuts of any kind
- store leftovers in the refrigerator
- garnish with powdered sugar or ice cream topping berry sauce
- top with whipped cream when serving with fresh berries
- substitute any store-bought pie crust in a hurry
- white chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips are a nice garnish when using all cherry or red raspberries
- use a french vanilla style boxed pudding when in a hurry
Pin for later
Elegant Fruit Tarts;
These just shout summer and are the perfect take-along when you're entertaining or just want an elegant dessert to serve.
Everyone loves the freshness of this easy fruit tart and will be very impressed!
You can mix and match fruits and prepare the topping to whatever you desire this recipe is super adaptable.
Italian Cherry Berry Cream Tart
Yield: 12
This is a delicious homemade Italian cream with a pastry crust topped with cherries and berries
Ingredients
- Tart Crust
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup salted butter softened
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- ( 1/2 cup crushed nuts IE: walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans or almonds, pistachio, or macadamia for the bottom of the tart pan)
- Removable tart pan
- cooking spray oil
- Italian Pastry Cream:
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1/3 cup granulated white sugar
- 1/8 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon grated orange or lemon peel
- 1 tablespoon almond or vanilla, added last.
- Fruit Toppings:
- 2 cups assorted canned or fresh fruits
- Fruit Suggestions: canned peaches, pears, plums, cherries, raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries, and blueberries. Fresh when in season
Instructions
- Pastry Cream:
- Blend dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
- Add milk slowly beating till smooth whisk in yolks, cook till thickened, remove from heat stir in peel and add vanilla. Cool.
- Tart Crust:
- Roll out dough on parchment paper, lift to carefully place in lightly oil sprayed tart pan.
- Sprinkle with chopped nuts. (add 1/2 cup crushed nuts such as: (walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans or almonds, pistachio, or macadamia) for the bottom of the tart pan
- Prick the bottom of the dough with a fork.
- Bake until golden or around 30 minutes at 375 degrees hot oven.
- Cool completely.
- Topping and Assembly:
- 2 cups assorted canned or fresh fruits
- If you're using a canned drain and set aside the juice, add water to make one cup of juice.
- Note: ( I used a mixture of dark sweet canned cherries drained, 1/2 cup of fresh blueberries, and 1/2 cup of fresh red raspberries, (2 cups of fruit total)
- 1 tablespoon corn starch per cup of juice
- Mix cornstarch in a small amount of water to make a smooth paste.
- Pour the drained juice into a small saucepan on medium heat, ( if using all fresh fruit, you can also use apple, pear, or other fruit juice to make one cup)
- Add the cornstarch and cook till thickened.
- This takes around 3 to 4 minutes after boiling to thicken. Cool completely.
- Pour the cream filling into the baked crust.
- Top with the thickened fruit of choice.
- Refrigerate until ready to eat at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
Tips:
- use any kinds of berries or a mixture
- add some berries to the filling
- use your favorite nuts of any kind
- store leftovers in the refrigerator
- garnish with powdered sugar or ice cream topping berry sauce
- top with whipped cream when serving with fresh berries
- substitute any store-bought pie crust in a hurry
- white chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips are a nice garnish when using all cherry or red raspberries
- use a french vanilla style boxed pudding when in a hurry
Fruits to Use
- strawberries
- blueberries
- blackberries
- raspberries
- peaches
- mango
- kiwi
- mandarin oranges
- pineapple crushed
- boysenberries
- plums
- cherries
Pin for later
More Desserts
Red Raspberry Scones
Red Raspberry Pie
Raspberry Ricotta Cake
Red Raspberry Filled Jelly Buns
Red Raspberry Cobbler
This is an Affiliate link and I do make a small commission See Disclosure Policy
Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2012. It was edited and re-published in 2022.
This looks so good! I never make tarts but have a tart pan that I use to make a lot of homemade quiches in. I may have to pull those out and make this. Yum!
ReplyDeleteI love all the fruits you used for the topping of this amazing tarte. Great ^_^ Bya, have a good Sunday
ReplyDeleteThat tart looks fantastic! A few nuts on the bottom for a little crunch. mmmm!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a perfect Valentine's Day treat! But I do not have a tart pan! Enough reason to get one!
ReplyDeleteBerries and cream are something that I cannot resist-yum! This definitely looks like you did not skimp on that fruit. I also like the touch of nuts in the bottom of the crust. Your picture does look fabulous, however a dessert that quickly disappears is the real clue to how wonderful it really is. Great recipe Claudia!
ReplyDeleteThis looks incredible Claudia! The cherry topping is so luscious. Love it!
ReplyDeletewhere is the sugar for the fruit? Is it sweet enough without adding sugar?
ReplyDelete@Melinda good question. Yes the canned cherries with the addition of the fresh is sweet enough not to add any sugar to our taste. If using all fresh you will have to add around 1/2 cup sugar to 2 cups of fruit... unless you love naturally sweet like we do... most of the time the fruits here in Florida are sweet enough!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, Claudia! Perfect Valentine's Day dessert...so lovely and festive :)
ReplyDeleteI really feel red and white is just magical on Valentine's Day - this is so very pretty. I don't know about how long it took to get a good photograph - but you did! It's a welcoming beauty!
ReplyDeleteWow! This sound delicious and it's absolutely picture perfect! Happy (early) Valentines Day!
ReplyDeleteSo yummy! Any tart or pie grabs my attention.
ReplyDeleteWoah! Absolutely perfect! Love the colors! Just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful! Any man should be grateful to get this for their v-day dinner desert!
ReplyDeleteThis is simply gorgeous. I want a huge slice of this immediately!
ReplyDeleteMmmmm, this looks glorious! :)
ReplyDeleteI love that you added nuts on top of the crust, what a great texture this would add! Gorgeous tart!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so good! I love all berries, I can just imagine how tasty this is, Its beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI have always loved tarts, and any berries so this one is perfect.Hugs P.S. thank you for linking to Thursday Favorite Things linky party
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a very delicious tart! I have liked it! Thanks for sharing the recipe with us.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend :)
This looks really delicious!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh this looks positively decadent. This makes me wish I was your neighbour.
ReplyDeleteOh, this looks so good. It wouldn't last long around me either!
ReplyDeleteif that berry cherry tart were in front of me, I will not wasting my time to eat it till the last bite! that looks adorable in color and the first thing is there is lots of berry on the topping, I'm crazy with berries :)
ReplyDeletecheers
if that berry cherry tart were in front of me, I will not wasting my time to eat it till the last bite! that looks adorable in color and the first thing is there is lots of berry on the topping, I'm crazy with berries :)
ReplyDeletecheers
This tart looks so good Claudia!
ReplyDeleteit looks great!is snack time here it's perfect with a cup of tea ;) YUM
ReplyDeletewow this looks delicious! I eyed your strawberry amaretto tart as well....YUM
ReplyDeleteOoh, Claudia, I know you said it was fast but it looks like the product of a lot of hard work. Delicious!
ReplyDeletelooks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI adore cherries and this dish is so wonderful. So fruity and perfect for summer day.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous tart! This would be great for entertaining!
ReplyDeleteThis tart was so good! The nuts at the bottom were a pleasant surprise. I will definitely be making this again!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous looking cream tart. I am trying this soon. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love the combo of the nuts and fruit. Yummy!
ReplyDeleteFruity filling with melt-in-mouth buttery crust...a perfect combination for a perfect dessert!
ReplyDeleteThe cream filling instructions need to be corrected/added to, for those that have never made any type of custard. Turned out delicious!
ReplyDelete