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Star-Studded Berry Tarts with Vanilla Pastry Cream – the perfect dessert for patriotic holidays!
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Star-Studded Berry Tarts with Vanilla Pastry Cream
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 2 ยผ cups all-purpose flour
- ยพ cup pecans
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ยผ teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cut into ยฝ-inch pieces
- 6 Tablespoons ice cold water
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
For the pastry cream:
- 1 cup whole milk
- โ cup coarse or granulated sugar for topping divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ยฝ cup plus 3 tablespoons buttermilk divided
- 3 large egg yolks
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 pint raspberries
- 1 pint blueberries
- powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
To prepare the crust:
- Combine the flour, pecans, sugar and salt in a food processor. ย Pulse until the pecans are finely ground. ย Add the butter pieces and pulse until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. ย Drizzle the cold water on top and pulse until the dough comes together. ย Transfer the dough to a large piece of plastic wrap. ย Press the dough into a large disc shape and cover. ย Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. ย While the dough is chilling, prepare the pastry cream.
To make the pastry cream:
- Combine the milk, โ cup of the granulated sugar and the vanilla in a medium saucepan. ย Bring the milk mixture to a simmer over medium heat. ย Whisk ยฝ cup of the buttermilk, the egg yolks, cornstarch and the remaining โ cup sugar together in a medium mixing bowl. ย Slowly drizzle (temper) the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture whisking constantly. ย Return the combined mixture back into the saucepan and heat while whisking constantly until it is thick and bubbly. ย Remove from the heat and add the last remaining 3 tablespoons buttermilk. ย Pour the cream into a clean bowl and lay plastic wrap on the surface. ย Refrigerate about 45 minutes. ย While the pastry cream cools, prepare the tart crusts.
- Lightly flour a large sheet of parchment paper. ย Roll out the dough on the parchment to about a 10-by-14 inch rectangle. ย Trim into an 8-by-12 inch rectangle, reserving the scraps. ย Cut the rectangle into eight 3-by-4 inch rectangles. ย Separate the pieces slightly on the parchment and use your fingers to crimp the edges. ย Slide the parchment paper onto a baking sheet. ย Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes. ย Lightly flour a small piece of parchment paper. ย Gather the dough scraps and roll out to the same thickness as the tarts, about ยผ inch, on the parchment. ย Cut and crimp another 2 or 3 tarts into 3-by-4 inch rectangles plus enough stars to top each one. ย You should end up with about 10 tarts and 10 stars. ย Transfer the parchment to another baking sheet and refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes.
- If you still have a small amount of left over dough, roll into cookie size balls and flatten to the same thickness as the crusts. ย Bake along with the crust for a nice lightly sweet cookie.
- To bake the crust, preheat the oven to 375ยฐF. ย Poke holes in the crust with a fork. ย Brush the stars and the edges of the crust with the beaten egg. ย Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Remove to a rack and cool completely before topping with the pastry cream.
- To assemble the tarts, divide the pastry cream on top of each tart crust. ย Top with fresh berries and a cookie star. ย Sprinkle with a dusting of confectioners' sugar and serve. ย Refrigerate any leftovers.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Here are a few more of our favorite summer holiday dessert recipes:
Nectarine Blueberry Pie ~ bake the season with this juicy, tangy, sweet pie filled with ripe nectarines and plump blueberries. ย Topped with a homemade flaky crust cut into shapes with your favorite cookie cutter, youโll be the star of your next celebration with this delicious dessert! Click HERE to get the recipe.
Our Mixed Berry Trifle is made with layers of fresh berries, chunks of sweet pound cake smeared with a little strawberry jam and a luscious vanilla cream custard. This lovely dessert is great for any occasion, itโs easy to make and it serves a crowd! Click HERE to get the recipe.
Peggy
Can the berry tarts/pastry cream be made the day before or will the crust get soggy.
Tricia Buice
Hi Peggy. Yes both can be made ahead and assembled just before serving for the best texture. The shells will soften a bit over time but should not be wet. Enjoy and happy summer!
Judy at My Well Seasoned Life
Christina of Christina’s Cuicina posted these on her FB page and simply had to check them out. Beautiful and love the nutty crust. Can’t wait to try.
Tricia Buice
Thanks for stopping by Judy – they are really very easy and tasty. Hope you will give them a try! Happy Memorial Day!
scrambledhenfruit
Beautiful tarts! They're just perfect for a celebration. ๐ Jealous of your blueberries- the deer have decapitated every bush I've ever planted.
Wendy
What fun, to have home grown blueberries! Our backyard critters always get to the produce before we do! Sometimes they eat the plants before the fruits or veggies even have a chance to grow! Your 4thof July tarts are so pretty! I can imagine the ohhs and ahhhs when these are served! Eating pastry cream on these flavorful crusts might be as good as my favorite method…eating it on a spoon!:) I
Abbe@This is How I Cook
This is like way too pretty to eat! We have raspberries coming. I always hope I get enough at one time to make something! But no bird feeders. The squirrels would see to that! Have a happy 4th! It looks like you will be making lots of others happy, too!
SavoringTime in the Kitchen
Your tarts are just beautiful! Pinning for sure ๐ The crust sounds so good with the pecans in it. I'm glad you got some berries before the birds ate them.
Von
Your tarts so so cute! ๐ And they look delicious too, especially the crust! I'm so jealous of your blueberry bush! I love blueberries but fresh blueberries are always so expensive ๐
Elzbieta Hester
Ah, what a delight to my eyes! Beautiful mini version tarts!<br /><br />ela h.<br />Gray Apron
Angie Schneider
wow homegrown blueberries!! You are amazing!<br />These tarts are truly gorgeous, Tricia. Nutty pecan crust and creamy pastry cream…a perfect pairing.
TLady
OH MY! These look WONDERFUL! ๐ Have FUN with your family for the Holiday! ๐
Chris Scheuer
These are gorgeous Tricia. I was in the same boat with our blueberry bushes. Last year the birds got every last one. This year we actually have been able to pick a few each morning for our yogurt. Not a bumper crop but much better than last year. Love your pecan crust, that sounds just amazing!
Cheri Savory Spoon
These are gorgeous Tricia, love that you added pecans to your crust. So nice to use your own berries. Happy 4th to you!
Anna and Liz Recipes
Wonderful tarts Tricia – and they are too pretty to eat! You make the BEST treats!! Really you do.<br />Have a wonderful week, and wonderful holiday weekend! ALL the best, Anna and Liz
Karen Harris
I love adding pecans to my pastry. I just gives it a depth of flavor that is irresistible. These little tarts look wonderful. What a great treat for the 4th.
Monica
Not only do these look stunning but I love the sound of that delicious, nutty tart crust! Beautiful, Tricia!