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Strawberry Honey Custard Tarts with Lemon Curd


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  • Author: Olivia
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: Makes about 6-8 tarts, depending on tart shell size 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Strawberry Honey Custard Tarts with Lemon Curd combine the sweetness of honey custard with the refreshing zing of lemon curd, all encased in a buttery, flaky tart shell. Fresh strawberries add a pop of color and flavor, making these tarts the perfect dessert for any occasion. Light, tangy, and utterly delicious!


Ingredients

Scale

For the Tart Shells:

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 23 tablespoons ice water

For the Honey Custard:

  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup honey (preferably raw or local)
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

For the Lemon Curd:

  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup honey or granulated sugar
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter

For Garnishing:

  • Fresh strawberries, sliced
  • Optional: Fresh mint leaves or a dusting of powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Make the Tart Shells:

    1. Prepare the Dough:
      • In a food processor, combine the flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the cubed cold butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
      • Add the egg yolk and 2 tablespoons of ice water, and pulse again until the dough just comes together. Add more water if necessary.
      • Turn the dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap, shape it into a disk, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
    2. Roll Out the Dough:
      • Once chilled, roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a round cutter to cut out circles to fit your tart pans.
      • Press the dough gently into the pans and trim any excess. Prick the bottom of each tart shell with a fork to prevent bubbling during baking.
    3. Bake the Tart Shells:
      • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the tart shells with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
      • Remove the parchment paper and weights, and bake for another 5-7 minutes, until golden brown. Let the shells cool completely before filling.

    Make the Honey Custard:

    1. Cook the Custard:
      • In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, heavy cream, and honey. Heat over medium heat until it just begins to simmer.
      • In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, vanilla extract, and cornstarch. Slowly pour about 1/4 cup of the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
      • Gradually pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk mixture, whisking constantly. Cook over medium heat, whisking continuously, until the custard thickens (about 3-5 minutes).
    2. Finish the Custard:
      • Once thickened, remove from heat and whisk in the butter until smooth and fully combined.
      • Let the custard cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before filling the tart shells.

    Make the Lemon Curd:

    1. Combine Ingredients:
      • In a heatproof bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, honey (or sugar), and egg yolks. Set the bowl over a pot of simmering water (double boiler method) and whisk constantly until the mixture thickens (about 8-10 minutes).
    2. Finish the Curd:
      • Once thickened, remove from heat and whisk in the butter until smooth.
      • Let the lemon curd cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until ready to assemble the tarts.

    Assemble the Tarts:

    1. Fill the Tart Shells:
      • Once the tart shells have cooled, spoon a layer of honey custard into each tart shell, spreading it evenly.
      • Top the custard with a spoonful of lemon curd and spread it out gently to cover the custard.
    2. Garnish:
      • Arrange sliced strawberries on top of each tart for a fresh and colorful garnish.
      • Optionally, garnish with fresh mint leaves or a light dusting of powdered sugar.
    3. Chill and Serve:
      • Refrigerate the tarts for at least 30 minutes to allow the custard and curd to set.
      • Serve chilled for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Tart Shells: If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought tart shells.
  • Honey: For a more floral flavor, try using lavender or clover honey in the custard and curd.
  • Vegan Option: Substitute dairy ingredients with coconut milk and a plant-based butter alternative for a vegan-friendly version.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 tart
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 29g
  • Sodium: 80mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 90mg