Star Spangled Berry Tart
I don’t always get in the spirit of baking with holidays in mind, but when I do I like to go all out! It seems too perfect that July is the height of berry season which lends to a perfectly patriotic color scheme. This berry tart is light, fruity and super easy!
A buttery crust is filled with a simple lemon-cream cheese filling and topped with mixed berries. To make it even extra cute and festive- I cut some stars out of extra crust and sprinkled them with coarse sugar. They make the cutest topping to this tart- (if you can resist snacking on them!)
When it comes to summer desserts to serve on a warm summer day, I can’t think of anything better than lemony, fresh, berry tart can you? (Well- I also would love ice cream, popsicles, fruit pies, and more so there’s that.)
I’m heading to Wisconsin with Hugo later this week to celebrate the 4th with my family- then the following weekend, Andy is joining me and we’re heading to an overnight wedding sans baby. I was feeling super nervous about it at first, but he will be in great hands with my Mom and I’m actually getting pretty incredibly excited for a night to ourselves. (Though I know I’ll be missing baby boy the whole time…)
Check back for another great recipe on Wednesday!!
Star Spangled Berry Tart
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 sticks of butter, cold, chopped into pieces
- 2 egg yolks
- 1/4 cup ice water
- 1 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cups of mixed berries
- 1 beaten egg
- coarse sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- In a food processor, mix the flour and sugar together for a few seconds. Add the butter and process for a 20-30 seconds until coarse crumbs form. With the machine running add the yolks and ice water until dough comes together. Form into 1 large disc and wrap with plastic wrap- chill for at least an hour.
- Roll the crust out to about 1/8 inch thick, and cut off a section large enough to cover base and sides of a 9-inch fluted tart pan. Trim edges; place sheet of foil into pastry and fill with pie weights (or dried beans); bake 20-25 minutes at 375F. Remove foil and beans and bake a further 5 minutes; allow to cool.
- While the crust is baking, use a small star cutter and cut starts from the remaining dough. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake the stars for about 7 minutes (once the tart shell is done.)
- For the filling- cream together the cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, and zest. Chill until ready to use.
To assemble:
- Once the tart shell is cooled, spread the cream cheese filling along the bottom. Arrange the berries all over the filling, and top with cooled pastry stars. Keep chilled until ready to serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Oh what fun! The tart is so cute, and seems pretty simple. And a solo trip? You’ll have a blast. Happy 4th Audra.
How gorgeous and festive is this tart?
Have so much fun with your family and even more fun on your date night at the wedding with Andy! We really need to get together when you are back:-)
You had me at lemon cream cheese filling. This is gorgeous!
This is such a cute idea!
This is so adorable! And I can think of one million uses for the lemon filling.
I wasn’t in the 4th mood until JUST now… looks super cute :) Just the thing for a BBQ, no?
This tart looks wonderful — and yummy! I love summer berries too and anything lemon so it’s a perfect combination. Plus, let me just say congrats for planning some time alone with your husband.
Such a gorgeous tart!! Hope you had a nice weekend :)
Audra, this tart is so beautiful I can’t even stand it!
Your weekend plans sound fun!
What a gorgeous tart! Have fun at the wedding :)
Oh this is too cute!!! Love the stars on top – absolutely adorable, and berry tarts are my favorite so I’m sure this tastes delicious! Pinned :)
Trust me when I say this is the best 4th July-themed baked good I’ve ever seen! This tart truly looks wonderful and sooo fresh and tasty, not to mention how cute those little stars are! Even if I don’t live in the USA and so won’t celebrate this holiday, I’ll be making this tart for sure :)
xo, Elisa
This is absolutely gorgeous!!
This is so pretty! This is definitely the kind of red+white+blue dessert that I can get into.