Vegan Fruit Tarts with Custard Recipe (2024)

Published: · Updated: by Jacqui Wormington · This post may contain affiliate links. · 10 Comments

Vegan Fruit Tarts with Custard - a vegan dessert bursting with flavor! A classic flaky shortbread crust with silky soft vegan custard. The custard cream has a Panna Cotta like texture with a beautiful vanilla taste and scents of cinnamon. The wild berries on top give everything a freshness that rounds up this spiffy dessert. The best part about these tarts? This homemade vegan dessert looks fancy, but doesn’t require a lot of fuss!

Jump to:
  • 💡 The recipe in a nutshell
  • 💭 Making a shortbread crust
  • 👩🏽‍🍳 Using Agar-agar
  • ⏲️ Make-ahead Dessert
  • 🥣 Storage
  • ❄️ How to freeze
  • 🍰 More dessert ideas
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Reviews
Vegan Fruit Tarts with Custard Recipe (1)

💡 The recipe in a nutshell

  • Vegan (eggless and dairy free)
  • Made with only 9 ingredients!
  • Classic home baking made plant-based
  • Quick to make
  • Easy shortbread crust
  • Perfect to make-ahead
  • A fancy looking dessert without a lot of fuzz
  • Flaky, crunchy, buttery, creamy and fruity

💭 Making a shortbread crust

I wanted to make this dessert as simple and easy to make as possible. Even beginners can make this dessert! A traditional flaky pastry crust can be intimidating and definitely needs some practice. This vegan shortbread crust is a much simpler, and more delicious solution. By the way, it can also be used for cheesecakes and pies.

👩🏽‍🍳 Using Agar-agar

Agar-agaris a plant based gelatin substitute produced from a variety of seaweed vegetation. It is sold as flakes, powder, bars, and strands - for this recipe we are using the flakes. Agar-agar helps the custard filling to set and firm up enough so it won't be runny. It gives the filling an incredible panna cotta like texture, without adding any taste to the filling.

You find Agar in Asian markets, health food stores and online. Some supermarkets that have a health food section or specialty cooking supplies may carry it as well.

Agar has no calories, no sugar, no carbs, and no fat. It is free from soy, corn, gluten, yeast, wheat, starch, milk, egg, and preservatives. It is also agood sourceof fiber, calcium, and iron.

Vegan Fruit Tarts with Custard Recipe (2)

⏲️ Make-ahead Dessert

I know how hard it can be to find some spare time in our busy schedules nowadays. Thankfully you can split this recipe onto two different days and save some time!

Day 1: Prepare and bake tart crusts (est. time you'll need: 25 minutes).

Day 2: Make custard filling, fill tarts and let set (est. time you'll need: 10 to 15 minutes). Let set for at least 1 hour - or until cooled completely. Wait to add the fruit until just before serving.

🥣 Storage

Store without added berries in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. After the second day, the tart crust may start to get a bit soft. Eat within same day when topped with wild berries.

❄️ How to freeze

Place tarts without berries into the freezer for around 3 hours, until custard hardened. Then transfer to a freezer-friendly bag labeled with the date of freezing. Store in a single layer in your freezer for up to 3 months.

🍰 More dessert ideas

Looking for more vegan tart recipes? Check out this amazing Chocolate Tart recipe! Are you in the mood for some puff pastry? Then try making these super easy vegan Napoleons. For more ideas browse our recipe page.

📖 Recipe

Vegan Fruit Tarts with Custard Recipe (3)

Vegan Fruit Tarts with Custard Recipe

Vegan Fruit Tarts with Custard Recipe (4)Jacqui Wormington

Vegan Fruit Tarts with Custard - a vegan dessert bursting with flavor! A classic flaky shortbread crust with silky soft vegan custard. The custard cream has a Panna Cotta like texture with a beautiful vanilla taste and scents of cinnamon. The wild berries on top give everything a freshness that rounds up this spiffy dessert. The best part about these tarts? This homemade vegan dessert looks fancy, but doesn’t require a lot of fuss!

5 from 9 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

resting time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Sweets

Cuisine Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Vegan

Servings 6 small Tarts

Equipment

  • electric mixer, 6 small tart pans Ø 10cm / 4"

  • Alternative: 20cm / 8" round tart pan

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust

  • 120 grams vegan butter at room temperature (½ cup)
  • 25 grams powdered sugar (¼ cup)
  • 125 grams unbleached all-purpose flour (1 cup)

Custard Filling

  • 40 grams vanilla pudding powder, eg. dr. Oetker, or jell-o cook & serve (4 tbsp)
  • 1 tablespoons cornstarch (7g)
  • 400 mililiters plant based milk, eg. almond milk (1 ¾ cups)
  • 1 tablespoons agar agar flakes (2g)
  • 1-2 tablespoons cane sugar (15-30g)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Topping

  • wild berries
  • some powdered sugar optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F / 180°C.

  • To make shortbread crust: Lightly grease your tart pan, with canola oil or nondairy butter. In a mixing bowl with an electric mixer cream the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add the flour, and beat until dough just comes together. It's fine, even if it’s still a little crumbly.

  • Take one to two normal tablespoons of the dough and press the mixture into the bottom of one of your prepared pans. Continue until all pans are filled. Using a fork gently prick the dough several times. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool. You can either make the crust a day ahead or let cool down for at least 30 minutes before starting to make the filling.

  • To make custard filling: Mix 4 tablespoons (60 ml) plant milk with vanilla pudding powder and cornstarch. Then add the remaining milk and whisk together. Now add agar-agar flakes, cane sugar (if using), and ground cinnamon. Whisk everything together until well combined.

  • Add mix to a saucepan and bring to a boil while constantly stirring. Once boiling put the heat down and simmer for 5-6 minutes to thicken - stirring occasionally. Take saucepan from heat. Transfer to a vessel that'll help you pour it evenly into the tarts (eg. a measuring cup). Stir the mixture once again before you start filling the tarts, then fill them. Once they are all filled make sure there are no air bubbles. Pop bubbles with a toothpick, or gently tap the tart pan onto the countertop. Let custard set and cool down completely.

  • Serve at room temperature with fresh wild berries. Optional: sprinkle with some powdered sugar. Enjoy!

Notes

Can I use Agar Powder instead of Flakes? I personally don't have any experience making these tarts with Agar Powder. The powder is much more powerful than the flakes and bars. If substituting Agar Flakes with Powder be very careful using it. A thumb rule says one tablespoon of agar flakes is equal to one teaspoon of agar powder, or half of an agar bar.

The provided nutritional information is an estimate. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment & tag @thesimplesprinkle on Instagram

PS: Don't forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment on your experience - this helps improve my recipes and serves you with the best instructions, tips, and substitution ideas. Plus, I love hearing about your takes on my recipes! Tag me on Instagram @thesimplesprinkle to show me your pictures.

Vegan Fruit Tarts with Custard Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is custard tart made of? ›

Modern custard tarts are usually made from shortcrust pastry, eggs, sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla, sprinkled with nutmeg and then baked. Unlike egg tart, custard tarts are normally served at room temperature.

Do you eat custard tarts hot or cold? ›

They can be enjoyed warm or cold. If you've made a batch but don't want to eat them all they will freeze well. Just place a few in a tupperware box and freeze for up to 3 months. You probably won't need to though as they will all disappear pretty sharpish!

How do you eat a custard tart? ›

Windle. chomp down on one end, then lick off the custard oozing out the edges. Repeat at other end and lick off any other excess custard. Then enjoy your slightly thinner and more manageable custard slice.

How do you make a tart without a soggy bottom? ›

Blind Bake the Crust

One of the fool-proof ways to ensure a crisp bottom pie crust is to do what is called blind baking. This simply means that you bake the crust—either fully if you are adding a custard or cream that won't be cooked, or partially if the whole pie needs to bake—before adding the filling.

How to prevent a soggy bottom on a tart? ›

A metal pie pan placed on a preheated surface will set the bottom crust quickest; once cooked, the liquids from the filling above won't soak in, and as a result: no soggy bottom. (Using metal is crucial: Glass or ceramic pans don't transfer heat as efficiently, so they can be accomplices to a sad, soggy bottom.)

What are the 3 types of custard? ›

There are three types of custard: baked, stirred, and frozen. Baked custards include bread pudding, flan, and cheesecake, and are prepared by baking in an oven or water bath. Boiled Custards include beverages like eggnog. Puddings, creme anglaise (krem on-GLAYZ), and pastry cream are some examples of stirred custards.

What is the difference between baked custard and custard? ›

Stirred custards are cooked in a saucepan until thick but still liquid in consistency, while baked custards are usually cooked in ovenproof dishes in a water bath or bain-marie until set.

What are the 4 components of custard? ›

Combine milk, eggs, sugar and gentle heat and one of our most treasured comfort food appears.

Can you leave custard tart out overnight? ›

But for pastries with custard and other fillings, it is recommended that you store them in the fridge if you are not consuming them within 12 hours. If you are planning to keep any pastry for longer, make sure you pop them in the freezer so that the freshness does not get compromised.

Can you eat custard directly? ›

To use: Fresh and canned custard can be served straight from the pack, this is very useful when cold custard is required in a recipe. It can also be heated either in a microwave oven or on the hob, following packet instructions.

What is the difference between a Portuguese tart and a custard tart? ›

The Portuguese tarts rely more on egg yolks to impart richness, whereas a standard custard relies more heavily on milk or cream. Using that many egg yolks is what gives these little parcels their rich flavor and luscious texture.

Can diabetics eat custard tarts? ›

People with diabetes can enjoy custard in moderation. It's important to be mindful of portion sizes and choose a sugar-free or low-sugar custard to help manage blood sugar levels. Always consult with a healthcare professional or a nutritionist for personalized advice based on individual health conditions.

Why does my custard tart taste eggy? ›

If the hot is add to quickly though, it will scramble the eggs and give a much stronger egg taste. One technique is to sieve the custard after tempering to remove any solidified egg, and some are happy with this result.

Why do my custard tarts sink? ›

If the custard domes too much this indicates that you have over-cooked the custard, it will have boiled, and will sink back down leaving a big dip.

How do you keep tart pastry crisp? ›

Some people like to paint the surface of the pastry base with lightly beaten egg white after the beans have been removed and before returning the dish to the oven as the egg white cooks onto the surface of the pastry and can act as a slight sealant to help to keep the pastry crisp.

How do you make a fruit pie without a soggy bottom? ›

Often, blind-baking solves this problem. If you're making a single crust custard-filled pie, like a pumpkin pie, bake the pie dough first before adding filling to allow some of the moisture in the crust to evaporate. You can also totally blind-bake fruit pies.

How do you store fruit tarts overnight? ›

Storing: A fruit tart is best enjoyed the day it is assembled although it's still good the next day as well, even if the crust has softened slightly. To store leftovers, cover with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the fridge overnight. It can be eaten for up to 3-4 days but is best when it's freshest.

How do you keep fruit from getting soggy? ›

Moisture in the fridge is what causes most fruit and veggies to lose their crisp texture and start to soften and go bad. By lining your fridge's veggie drawer, you'll absorb excess moisture and keep fresh produce crunchy for an extended period of time.

References

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