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Creamy Strawberry Cream Cheese Tart with Vanilla Pastry Cream

creamy strawberry cream cheese tart - featured image
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A luscious tart featuring a flaky buttery crust, smooth cream cheese filling blended with silky homemade vanilla pastry cream, topped with fresh strawberries. Perfect for special occasions or a cozy midweek treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/4 cups (150 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2–3 tablespoons ice water
  • 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large egg yolks, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup (30 g) cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 8 ounces (227 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup (30 g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced (about 12–15 medium)
  • 2 tablespoons apricot jam or strawberry glaze (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the Tart Crust: Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly add ice water until dough holds together. Wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Prepare the Vanilla Pastry Cream: Heat milk and sugar until simmering. Whisk egg yolks with cornstarch until smooth. Temper yolks by slowly adding hot milk while whisking. Return to saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, whisking until thickened (3-5 minutes). Remove from heat, stir in butter and vanilla. Strain if desired. Cover with plastic wrap touching surface and chill for 1 hour.
  3. Roll Out and Bake the Crust: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll chilled dough into 12-inch circle. Transfer to tart pan, press into edges, trim excess. Prick bottom with fork. Line with parchment and fill with pie weights. Bake 15 minutes, remove weights and parchment, bake 10 more minutes until golden. Cool completely.
  4. Make the Cream Cheese Filling: Beat cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Fold in chilled pastry cream gently until combined.
  5. Assemble the Tart: Spread cream cheese and pastry cream mixture evenly in cooled crust. Arrange sliced strawberries on top. Optionally, warm apricot jam and brush over strawberries for shine.
  6. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate tart for at least 1 hour before slicing. Serve chilled or at cool room temperature.

Notes

Keep butter cold for a flaky crust. Whisk constantly when cooking pastry cream to avoid lumps. Temper egg yolks slowly to prevent scrambling. Strain pastry cream for smooth texture. Don’t overfill tart to avoid spills. Use fresh strawberries for best flavor and balance. Chilling tart helps flavors meld and filling set. Crust can be baked ahead and stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry tart, cream cheese tart, vanilla pastry cream, easy dessert, homemade tart, fresh strawberries, creamy dessert

Find it online: https://blipflavor.com/creamy-strawberry-cream-cheese-tart-recipe-easy-homemade-vanilla-pastry-cream/