How To: Make a fruit tart for any occasion

Impress everyone by bringing a beautiful homemade tart to the next celebration. You can use seasonal berries or even other fruits to create a colorful and flavorful dessert that will make any occasion seem extra special. With its rich pastry cream and tangy fruit wrapped in a flaky, buttery shell, the fruit tart is a classic dessert. Make this version with one or more of your favorites berries.

Step 1: Make crust

Mix the flour, salt, shortening, and butter in the food processor for 2 seconds to form fine crumbs. Add the ice water and process for 2 more seconds. Remove the dough, shape it into a ball, and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Roll

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Roll the dough to an 11-inch round and ease it into the tart pan.

Step 3: Bake

Bake the crust for 15 minutes, remove the foil and weights, and bake for 7 to 12 minutes longer, until golden. Then let it cool completely on the rack.

Step 4: Start pastry cream

Heat the milk in your saucepan over medium-high heat to boiling. Whisk the egg yolks with the sugar in a medium bowl until smooth. Whisk in the cornstarch and then slowly whisk the hot milk into the yolk mixture.

Step 5: Cook cream

Return the milk and yolk mixture to the saucepan, whisking constantly, until it's thick and boiling. Reduce the heat to low, still whisking, for 2 minutes. Then remove it from the heat and stir in the liqueur and vanilla.

Step 6: Chill

Pour the pastry cream into a clean bowl and lay a sheet of plastic wrap over the surface to prevent skin from forming. Chill at least 2 hours until it's cold.

Step 7: Assemble

Remove the side of the tart pan. Whisk the pastry cream until smooth, and spread it in the shell. Arrange your berries on top and dab it with heated apricot jam. Finish with a light dusting of confectioners sugar and serve within 1 day.