Delicious Whole Foods Fruit Tart Recipe

Indulge in the delightful flavors of a homemade fruit tart, crafted with wholesome ingredients for a truly guilt-free dessert. This Whole Foods Fruit Tart recipe combines a crisp almond-infused crust, a luscious vanilla pastry cream, and a vibrant medley of fresh, seasonal fruits. Perfect for any occasion, this tart is not only visually stunning but also packed with natural goodness.

Part 1: Creamy Vanilla Pastry Cream

This pastry cream is the heart of our fruit tart, offering a smooth and rich base that perfectly complements the tangy fruits and crisp crust.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 8 tablespoons cornstarch
• 4 large eggs
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed

Instructions:

1. Combine Dry Ingredients and Eggs: In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar and cornstarch until well combined. Add the eggs to the bowl and whisk everything together until you achieve a smooth, pale yellow mixture. This step is crucial for preventing lumps in your pastry cream.
2. Infuse Milk with Vanilla: Pour the milk into a large saucepan. Stir in the vanilla bean paste and salt. Heat the milk over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it just begins to simmer. Watch carefully to prevent boiling.
3. Temper the Eggs: Gradually ladle about half of the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly and vigorously as you pour. This process, called tempering, gently raises the temperature of the eggs and prevents them from scrambling when added to the hot milk.
4. Combine and Thicken: Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining hot milk. Return the saucepan to medium heat and continue to whisk constantly. It’s important to whisk continuously to ensure a smooth cream and prevent scorching. The mixture will gradually thicken, which may take a few minutes.
5. Cook to Perfection: Once you see bubbles forming on the surface and the pastry cream has noticeably thickened (it should coat the back of a spoon), whisk for another 20-30 seconds. Then, immediately remove the saucepan from the heat.
6. Incorporate Butter and Chill: Add the cubed unsalted butter to the hot pastry cream. Stir until the butter is completely melted and incorporated, creating a silky and enriched cream. Transfer the pastry cream to a clean bowl. Cover the surface directly with plastic wrap, pressing it down to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the pastry cream to chill completely and set.

Part 2: Crisp Almond Tart Shell

Our tart shell is made with almond flour for a delightful nutty flavor and a wonderfully crisp texture that holds up beautifully to the creamy filling and juicy fruits.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup almond flour
• 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 4 large egg yolks, lightly whisked
• 1-2 tablespoons ice water (optional, if dough is too dry)

Instructions:

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, sugar, and salt. The almond flour adds a lovely flavor and texture to the crust, making it a key element of our whole foods approach.
2. Incorporate Cold Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using your fingertips or a pastry blender, rub or cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger, shaggy pieces of butter remaining. This creates pockets of butter that will result in a flaky crust.
3. Add Egg Yolks and Combine: Add the whisked egg yolks to the flour-butter mixture. Mix with a spatula or your hands until just combined. The dough should come together but still be slightly shaggy. If the dough seems too dry and isn’t coming together, add ice water one tablespoon at a time, mixing until it just forms a cohesive dough. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
4. Knead and Chill: Lightly knead the dough on a lightly floured work surface a few times, just until it comes together smoothly. Divide the dough in half, stack the halves, and gently press them together. Repeat this process a few times to develop the gluten slightly, but avoid over-kneading, which can make the crust tough. Divide the dough evenly and press it into your tart pans, ensuring it evenly covers the bottom and sides. Prick the dough all over with a fork to prevent it from puffing up during baking.
5. Freeze the Tart Shells: Freeze the prepared tart shells for 20-30 minutes, or until they are firm to the touch. Freezing helps the crust hold its shape during baking and prevents shrinking.
6. Pre-bake the Crusts: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the frozen tart shells with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the crusts are deeply golden brown all over and sound hollow when tapped. Remove the parchment paper and pie weights during the last 10 minutes of baking to ensure the crust is fully baked and crisp. Let the baked tart shells cool completely before filling.

Part 3: Assembling Your Fruit Tart

Now for the most visually exciting part – assembling and decorating your whole foods fruit tart with a colorful array of fresh fruits!

Instructions:

1. Prepare Fresh Fruits: Choose your favorite seasonal fruits. Berries, sliced kiwi, peaches, nectarines, grapes, and citrus segments all work wonderfully. Wash and thoroughly dry your chosen fruits. Slice larger fruits into uniform, attractive shapes.

2. Whip Pastry Cream: Give the chilled pastry cream a good whisk until it is smooth and creamy again. This will restore its light and airy texture after chilling.

3. Fill Tart Shells: Evenly spread the prepared pastry cream into the cooled tart shells, creating a smooth and even layer.

4. Arrange Fruits Decoratively: Artistically arrange the sliced fruits on top of the pastry cream. Start from the outside edge and work your way inwards, overlapping fruits and creating visually appealing patterns. Let your creativity shine!

5. Glaze for Shine (Optional): For an extra touch of shine and to help preserve the freshness of the fruit, you can lightly brush the fruit tart with slightly heated fig preserves or apricot preserves. This step is optional but enhances the presentation and flavor.

6. Serve and Enjoy: Your whole foods fruit tart is now ready to be served and enjoyed! Slice and serve chilled for the best taste and texture.

This whole foods fruit tart is a celebration of fresh, natural flavors and textures. It’s a perfect dessert for showcasing seasonal fruits and is sure to impress your family and friends. Enjoy the process of creating this beautiful and delicious treat!