Description
Tarte Aux Fraises is a classic French strawberry tart featuring a crisp vegan shortcrust pastry base filled with smooth vegan pastry cream and topped with fresh, macerated strawberries glazed with a shiny strawberry preserve. This elegant dessert is perfect for showcasing fresh strawberries and can be prepared ahead of time for a stunning presentation at any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 1 batch vegan shortcrust pastry (see note 1)
Pastry Cream
- 1 ½ batches vegan pastry cream (see note 2)
Strawberries and Glaze
- 500 g fresh strawberries
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 60 g strawberry preserves (or strawberry jam/apricot preserves)
Instructions
- Bake and cool the pastry: Prepare a batch of vegan shortcrust pastry and blind-bake it according to the specified recipe instructions. Once baked, allow the pastry shell to cool completely to room temperature before proceeding to the next step.
- Macerate the berries: Wash, hull, and halve the strawberries. Place them in a bowl with the granulated sugar and toss gently to coat. Cover the bowl and let the strawberries macerate for 30 minutes, allowing them to release their juices and become tender.
- Prepare the jam glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the strawberry preserves while stirring continuously until the jam becomes thin and glossy. Using a pastry brush, coat the base and sides of the cooled pastry shell with this jam glaze. Drain the juices released from the macerated strawberries and mix them with the leftover strawberry preserves to create a glaze for finishing the tart later.
- Fill the tart: Whisk the vegan pastry cream to ensure it is smooth, then spread it evenly into the glazed pastry shell using an offset spatula to create a smooth surface.
- Arrange the strawberries: Neatly place the macerated strawberry halves on top of the pastry cream, starting from the center of the tart and working outward in a circular pattern to create an attractive presentation. Refrigerate the tart for 1 to 2 hours to allow the pastry cream to set firmly.
- Glaze the strawberries: Just before serving, use a pastry brush to apply the strawberry reserve glaze over the arranged strawberries to add shine and enhance flavor.
- Storage: Store any leftover tart covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best flavor and texture, serve on the day it is made. Avoid freezing the tart as it may affect the texture.
Notes
- Note 1: Vegan shortcrust pastry should be prepared following a reliable recipe that uses plant-based fats to ensure crispness and flavor.
- Note 2: Vegan pastry cream can be made using plant-based milk, cornstarch, sugar, and a flavoring such as vanilla extract. Ensure it is thickened properly to hold the tart filling without being runny.
