Description
This Star-Spangled Berry Tart is a stunning red, white, and blue dessert made with a buttery tart crust, creamy filling, and a dazzling arrangement of strawberries, blueberries, and star-shaped pastry or fruit cutouts. It’s the perfect centerpiece for summer celebrations and patriotic gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Tart Crust (or use a pre-baked shell)
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 egg yolk
- 2–3 tbsp cold water
For the Filling
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup heavy cream, whipped (or use whipped topping)
For the Topping
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- ¾ cup fresh blueberries
- Optional: raspberries or blackberries
- Star-shaped pastry cutouts or apple/pear stars for decoration
- Optional: warm fruit preserves or apricot glaze for shine
Instructions
1. Make the Tart Crust (or skip if pre-baked)
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a food processor, pulse flour, sugar, and salt. Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add egg yolk and water. Pulse until dough forms.
- Press into a tart pan with removable bottom. Prick base with a fork.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes or until lightly golden. Cool completely.
2. Prepare the Filling
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Fold in whipped cream gently until fluffy.
- Spread evenly into the cooled tart shell.
3. Decorate the Top
- Arrange halved strawberries in stripes.
- Fill one corner or section with blueberries for the “stars” portion.
- Add fruit or pastry stars as decoration for a patriotic effect.
- Optional: Brush fruit with warm preserves for shine.
4. Chill & Serve
- Chill tart in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before slicing.
- Serve cold and enjoy!
Notes
- Make Ahead: You can bake the crust and mix the filling a day in advance. Assemble before serving.
- No-Bake Version: Use a graham cracker crust and skip the oven.
- Fruit Options: Sub starfruit, apples, or pears for decorative stars.
- Mini Tarts: Make individual servings in tartlet pans for parties.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg