Strawberry Honey Custard Tarts With Lemon Curd Recipe

Sweet Strawberry Honey Custard Tarts With Lemon Curd Recipe

Sweet summer memories dance through this delightful strawberry honey custard tart that combines silky textures with bright flavors.

Sunshine-kissed strawberries peek through a golden, buttery crust waiting to surprise you.

Each delicate bite promises a symphony of creamy custard and tangy lemon notes.

Honey adds a whispered sweetness that rounds out the dessert’s complex profile.

Delicate and elegant, these tarts feel like a gentle celebration of seasonal abundance.

Crisp pastry and smooth custard create a canvas for nature’s most vibrant fruits.

Bake these little gems and watch faces light up with pure delight.

Honey Custard Tarts Tartlet Fillings

  • Gluten-Free Berry Bliss Tarts: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version. Use xanthan gum to help bind the crust ingredients together.
  • Vegan Tropical Dream Tarts: Substitute dairy milk with coconut milk and egg yolks with silken tofu or cornstarch mixture. Use maple syrup instead of honey and coconut cream for custard base.
  • Low-Sugar Citrus Sensation Tarts: Swap honey with stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Use Greek yogurt instead of custard for protein-rich, lower-calorie alternative. Choose berries like raspberries which have lower sugar content.
  • Dairy-Free Coconut Paradise Tarts: Replace milk with coconut milk and butter with coconut oil. Use coconut cream for custard base and garnish with toasted coconut flakes for extra texture and flavor.

FAQs

  • Can I make the tart shells ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the tart shells a day in advance. After baking, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This helps save time when assembling the tarts.

  • How do I prevent the custard from becoming lumpy?

Whisk constantly while cooking the custard and add hot milk gradually to the egg mixture. This technique ensures a smooth, creamy texture without any unwanted lumps.

  • What if I don't have a double boiler for the lemon curd?

Use a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Stir continuously to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.

  • Can I substitute ingredients in this recipe?

For honey custard, use maple syrup instead of honey. For lemon curd, you can replace lemon with orange or lime juice. Always maintain the same proportions to keep the recipe balanced.

Tart Meets Sweet: Strawberry Honey Custard with Lemon Curd

  • Quick Weekend Dessert Delight: Whip up these stunning strawberry tarts in just over an hour, perfect for spontaneous gatherings or weekend treat cravings.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare individual components like tart shells and custards in advance, allowing flexible assembly and reducing last-minute stress during entertaining.
  • Kid-Friendly Creativity: Engage children in fun decorating steps like arranging strawberry slices and dusting powdered sugar, transforming baking into a playful family activity.
  • Gourmet Meets Simple: Combine elegant flavors of honey custard and tangy lemon curd with fresh strawberries, creating a sophisticated dessert that looks professionally crafted yet remains approachable for home bakers.

Strawberry Honey Custard Tarts with Lemon Curd – Ingredient Guide

Tart Shell Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and base for the delicate pastry shell.
  • Powdered Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps create a tender crust.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
  • Cold Butter: Creates flaky, rich texture with layers in the pastry.
  • Egg Yolk: Helps bind the dough and adds richness.
  • Cold Water: Helps bring the dough together without overworking.
Custard and Filling Ingredients:
  • Whole Milk: Creates smooth, creamy base for honey custard.
  • Egg Yolks: Provides richness and helps thicken the custard.
  • Honey: Offers natural sweetness with complex flavor profile.
  • Cornstarch: Ensures proper thickening of custard.
  • Vanilla: Adds warm, aromatic flavor to custard.
Fruit and Topping Ingredients:
  • Lemon Juice: Provides bright, tangy base for lemon curd.
  • Lemon Zest: Adds intense citrus aroma and flavor.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens lemon curd.
  • Butter: Creates smooth, glossy finish in lemon curd.
  • Fresh Strawberries: Adds fresh, vibrant color and sweet-tart flavor.
  • Powdered Sugar: Optional decorative and sweet finishing touch.

Baking Custard Tarts with Strawberry Honey Finish

Step 1: Craft Delicate Tart Shells

Roll out chilled pastry dough on a lightly floured surface.

Gently press the dough into small tartlet pans, ensuring an even thickness.

Use a fork to poke tiny holes across the bottom of each shell.

Bake in a preheated oven until the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Allow the shells to cool completely, creating a crisp foundation for your delightful dessert.

Step 2: Whip Up Silky Honey Custard

Create a dreamy custard base by warming milk until it’s steaming hot.

In a separate bowl, blend together:
  • Egg yolks
  • Honey
  • Cornstarch
  • Vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Slowly pour the hot milk into the mixture, whisking continuously.

Transfer back to the saucepan and cook, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens to a luxurious consistency.

Remove from heat and let it cool, covering the surface to prevent a skin from forming.

Step 3: Craft Zesty Lemon Curd

Set up a double boiler and combine:
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Lemon zest
  • Sugar
  • Egg yolks

Stir the mixture gently over simmering water until it transforms into a smooth, thick sauce.

Remove from heat and incorporate butter, whisking until silky smooth.

Allow the lemon curd to cool completely.

Step 4: Build Stunning Tart Layers

Carefully spread the honey custard into the cooled tart shells, creating an even layer.

Add a delicate layer of lemon curd on top of the custard.

Artfully arrange fresh strawberry slices across the surface, creating a beautiful and appetizing design.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

For an extra touch of elegance, dust the tarts with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor, or keep chilled until you’re ready to indulge in these divine strawberry honey custard tarts.

Custard Tart Tips for Lemon Curd and Honey Delight

  • Replace part of the flour with almond or coconut flour for a gluten-free version, ensuring a delightful texture and nutty undertone.
  • Blind bake tart shells by using pie weights or dried beans to maintain a crisp crust that won't become mushy when filled with custard.
  • Whisk constantly while cooking to avoid lumps and achieve a smooth, silky texture that spreads beautifully in the tart shells.
  • Use low, steady heat when cooking to prevent egg yolks from scrambling, creating a velvety, bright lemon curd with perfect shine.
  • Incorporate a pinch of lavender or fresh mint into the honey custard for an unexpected and sophisticated flavor profile that complements the strawberries.

Chill Strawberry Honey Custard Tarts with Lemon Curd

  • Store tarts in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and preserve delicate strawberry decoration.
  • Wrap individual tarts tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before serving.
  • Warm tarts gently in oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispy shell texture. Avoid microwave, which will make pastry soggy and compromise custard consistency.
  • Consume within 24 hours for optimal flavor and texture. Fresh strawberries may release moisture over time, potentially affecting tart's crispness.

Sweet Complements for Honey Custard Tarts

  • Savor Complementary Flavors: Pair these delightful strawberry honey custard tarts with beverages and accompaniments that enhance their delicate taste profile.
  • Sparkling Wine Synergy: Choose a crisp prosecco or champagne with light, fruity notes that dance beautifully with the tart's honeyed sweetness and bright lemon undertones.
  • Herbal Tea Harmony: Select a delicate chamomile or lavender tea to complement the tart's creamy texture and highlight the strawberry's natural freshness without overwhelming the subtle flavors.
  • Citrus-Infused Refreshment: Serve alongside a chilled lemon-mint spritzer that echoes the tart's citrusy elements while providing a refreshing counterpoint to the rich custard base.
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Strawberry Honey Custard Tarts With Lemon Curd Recipe

Strawberry Honey Custard Tarts With Lemon Curd Recipe


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4.6 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Sweet strawberry honey custard tarts blend European elegance with homemade charm, showcasing delicate layers of creamy custard and zesty lemon curd. Fresh strawberries crown these irresistible desserts, inviting you to savor each delightful, harmonious bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 cups (156 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) whole milk
  • 1 1/2 cups (240 grams) fresh strawberries
  • 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) fresh lemon juice

Dairy and Sweeteners:

  • 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1/4 cup (85 grams) honey
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar
  • 1/4 cup (30 grams) powdered sugar

Baking and Flavoring Ingredients:

  • 6 egg yolks
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Optional: powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

  1. Craft the pastry foundation by blending flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a food processor. Incorporate cold butter until the mixture transforms into grainy crumbles.
  2. Integrate egg yolk and cold water gradually, kneading until a cohesive dough emerges. Form a compact disk, encase in plastic wrap, and chill for a minimum of half an hour.
  3. Heat the oven to 375°F. Gently roll the chilled dough on a flour-dusted surface, trimming to perfectly fit tartlet molds. Press dough firmly into pan contours, puncturing base with fork tines.
  4. Bake tartlet shells for 12–15 minutes until achieving a golden hue. Allow complete cooling before proceeding.
  5. For honey custard, warm milk in a saucepan until steam rises but before boiling point. Whisk egg yolks, honey, cornstarch, vanilla, and salt into a silky mixture.
  6. Gradually stream hot milk into egg mixture, whisking continuously. Return combined liquid to saucepan, cooking over medium heat while stirring until luxuriously thickened.
  7. Remove custard from heat, drape plastic wrap directly on surface to prevent skin formation during cooling.
  8. Create lemon curd by combining juice, zest, sugar, and egg yolks in a heatproof bowl. Position over simmering water, stirring until consistency transforms.
  9. Remove lemon curd from heat, vigorously whisk butter until achieving glossy smoothness. Cool completely.
  10. Assemble tarts by spreading honey custard evenly across cooled shells. Layer delicate lemon curd atop custard.
  11. Artfully arrange fresh strawberry slices across the surface for visual and flavor appeal.
  12. Optional: Dust with powdered sugar before serving. Refrigerate until ready to indulge.

Notes

  • Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent shrinkage and ensure a crisp, flaky tart shell that holds its shape perfectly during baking.
  • Use room temperature eggs for the custard to create a smoother, more consistent texture and prevent lumps from forming during cooking.
  • Choose ripe, sweet strawberries for maximum flavor, and slice them thinly for an elegant presentation that allows each layer of the tart to shine.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a mix of almond and coconut flour, which adds a delightful nutty undertone to the tart shell.
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg
James Walker

James Walker

Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction​

Education

School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations

Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices. ​


James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).

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