Hi👋 I’m MARILYN, a 34-year-old from the United Kingdom. Cooking is my passion, and I love sharing delicious, easy-to-follow recipes. Join me on marilynrecipes.com to explore a world of culinary delights, from comforting classics to innovative creations. Let’s make cooking fun and enjoyable for everyone! Cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories.
I still remember the first time I made this Homemade Strawberry Tart. It was early summer, and I had just come back from the market with the juiciest strawberries I had ever seen. Their sweet fragrance filled my kitchen, and I knew instantly I had to turn them into something special. That day, I slowly rolled out the pastry, gently stirred the silky custard, and carefully placed each strawberry on top like little jewels.
When I finally served the tart, everyone paused for a moment not just because it looked beautiful, but because it felt like something made with love. Since then, this Homemade Strawberry Tart has become one of my favorite desserts to share with family and friends. I make it for birthdays, sunny afternoons, and those days when I simply want to bring a little joy to the table.
This Homemade Strawberry Tart is the perfect balance of buttery crust, creamy filling, and fresh, sweet strawberries. It looks elegant, but I promise you it’s simple and completely doable in your own kitchen.
Why I Love Making This Recipe
I love this tart because it feels both comforting and special at the same time. The crisp, buttery pastry melts in your mouth, while the creamy custard adds richness, and the strawberries bring freshness and natural sweetness.
This Homemade Strawberry Tart also gives me a moment to slow down. I enjoy every step from pressing the dough into the pan to arranging the strawberries on top. It feels almost like a little act of care, a way of saying “I made this just for you.”
And honestly, seeing everyone’s face light up when I serve it makes it all worth it.
Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets
Here’s everything I use to make my Homemade Strawberry Tart:
For the crust:
- 200 grams all-purpose flour
- 100 grams cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 50 grams sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 2–3 tablespoons cold water
For the custard filling:
- 500 milliliters milk
- 4 egg yolks
- 100 grams sugar
- 40 grams cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 30 grams butter
For the topping:
- 400–500 grams fresh strawberries
- 2 tablespoons apricot jam (for glaze)
- 1 tablespoon water
Little kitchen secrets:
- Always use cold butter for the crust it gives that perfect flaky texture.
- Let the custard cool completely before assembling, or it will soften the crust.
- Choose ripe, sweet strawberries they are the star of this tart.
How I Make It, Step by Step
Step 1: Make the crust
- In a bowl, mix flour and sugar.
- Add cold butter and rub it in with your fingers until it looks like crumbs.
- Add egg yolk and cold water, mixing until a dough forms.
- Wrap the dough and chill for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Bake the crust
- Roll out the dough and place it in a tart pan.
- Prick the base with a fork.
- Bake at 180°C for 15–20 minutes until golden.
- Let it cool completely.
Step 3: Make the custard
- Heat the milk in a saucepan until warm.
- In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch.
- Slowly pour warm milk into the mixture while whisking.
- Return everything to the saucepan and cook until thick.
- Stir in vanilla and butter.
- Let it cool with plastic wrap touching the surface.
Step 4: Assemble the tart
- Spread the cooled custard into the crust evenly.
- Slice strawberries and arrange them beautifully on top.
Step 5: Add the glaze
- Heat apricot jam with water until smooth.
- Brush gently over the strawberries for a glossy finish.
How I Serve It at Home
I love serving Homemade Strawberry Tart slightly chilled. It tastes refreshing and light, especially on warm days.
Sometimes I add:
- A dusting of powdered sugar
- A dollop of whipped cream
- Fresh mint leaves for a pretty touch
It’s perfect for tea time, dessert after dinner, or even a special weekend treat.
Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips
- Fridge: Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Do not freeze: The custard and strawberries don’t freeze well.
- Make-ahead: Bake the crust and prepare custard a day before. Assemble fresh for best results.
100-Word Short Version
Homemade Strawberry Tart is a beautiful dessert made with a buttery crust, creamy vanilla custard, and fresh strawberries. I prepare a simple pastry, bake it until golden, and fill it with smooth custard. Then I top it with sweet strawberries and brush a light apricot glaze for shine. This tart is perfect for summer days, gatherings, or a special treat at home. It’s simple to make yet looks elegant and impressive. Serve chilled with whipped cream or mint for extra freshness. Every bite feels light, creamy, and full of natural strawberry sweetness that everyone loves.
Recipe Card Section
⏱️ Time: Prep 40 min | Cook 25 min | Total 1 hr 5 min
🛒 Ingredients:
For the crust:
- 200g flour
- 100g butter
- 50g sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 2–3 tbsp cold water
For the custard:
- 500ml milk
- 4 egg yolks
- 100g sugar
- 40g cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 30g butter
For topping:
- 400–500g strawberries
- 2 tbsp apricot jam
- 1 tbsp water
👩🍳 Instructions:
- Mix flour, sugar, and butter until crumbly.
- Add egg yolk and water to form dough. Chill 30 minutes.
- Roll and bake crust at 180°C for 15–20 minutes. Cool.
- Heat milk. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch.
- Combine and cook until thick. Add vanilla and butter. Cool.
- Spread custard in crust.
- Add strawberries on top.
- Brush with apricot glaze.
📝 Notes:
- Use ripe strawberries for best flavor
- Chill before serving
- Assemble just before serving for freshness
🍽️ Nutrition (approx per slice):
Calories: 320, Carbs: 38g, Fat: 16g, Protein: 6g, Sugar: 20g
Homemade Strawberry Tart
- Prep Time: 40 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 1 hr 5 min
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Homemade Strawberry Tart is a delightful dessert featuring a buttery crust, creamy vanilla custard, and fresh, juicy strawberries with a glossy apricot glaze. Perfect for summer, gatherings, or special treats.
Ingredients
- 200g all-purpose flour
- 100g cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 50g sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 2–3 tbsp cold water
- 500ml milk
- 4 egg yolks
- 100g sugar
- 40g cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 30g butter
- 400–500g fresh strawberries
- 2 tbsp apricot jam
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Mix flour and sugar. Rub in butter until crumbly.
- Add egg yolk and cold water. Form dough and chill 30 minutes.
- Roll dough into tart pan and bake at 180°C for 15–20 min. Cool.
- Heat milk. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch. Combine and cook until thick. Add vanilla and butter. Cool.
- Spread custard in tart shell.
- Arrange sliced strawberries on top.
- Heat apricot jam with water and brush over strawberries for glaze.
- Chill before serving.
Notes
Use ripe strawberries for best flavor. Chill before serving. Assemble just before serving for freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Conclusion
This Homemade Strawberry Tart is one of those desserts that feels like pure happiness on a plate. I love how simple ingredients come together to create something so beautiful and delicious. Every time I make it, I feel proud placing it on the table, knowing it will bring smiles and sweet moments.
If you try this recipe, I hope it fills your kitchen with warmth and your home with joy — just like it does in mine 💕