Description
A rich and elegant Basque-style tart made with buttery crust, smooth vanilla pastry cream, and a luscious cherry layer—this classic French-inspired dessert is perfect for tea time or special celebrations.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 200g all-purpose flour
- 100g unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 70g sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 250ml milk
- 1/2 vanilla bean or 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 egg yolks
- 60g sugar (for cream)
- 20g cornstarch
- 20g butter
- 150g pitted sour cherries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 tbsp sugar (for cherries)
- 1 tsp cornstarch (for cherries)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Mix flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in chilled butter until crumbly. Add egg and vanilla, mix until just combined. Form a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Heat milk with vanilla until steaming. In a bowl, whisk yolks, sugar, and cornstarch. Gradually whisk in hot milk. Return to saucepan and cook over medium heat until thick. Remove from heat and stir in butter. Chill completely.
- In a small pot, combine cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Cook over medium heat until thickened. Let cool.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Divide chilled dough in two. Roll out one half and press into tart pan.
- Spread cherry filling over crust base, then layer the chilled pastry cream on top.
- Roll out remaining dough, lay over top. Seal edges, score pattern on top, and brush with egg yolk.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use fresh or thawed frozen sour cherries for best flavor.
- Pastry cream and dough can be made a day ahead.
- Chill the pie thoroughly for clean slices.
- For added aroma, use real vanilla bean instead of extract.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
