Elegant Paula Deen Fruit Tart Recipe

Heavenly Paula Deen Fruit Tart Recipe to Wow Your Guests

Paula Deen’s fruit tart transforms ordinary desserts into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Silky smooth cream nestles inside a golden, buttery crust that practically sings with decadence.

Vibrant fruits cascade across the surface like a painter’s masterpiece, creating a delectable landscape of color and flavor.

Each forkful promises a symphony of textures that awakens every taste bud.

Crisp pastry edges crumble delicately, releasing waves of rich, sweet essence.

Seasonal berries and fruits intermingle, turning this tart into a celebration of natural sweetness.

Let this show-stopping dessert become the star of your next gathering, tempting everyone with its irresistible charm.

Storing and Prepping Paula Deen’s Fruit Tart Ahead of Time

  • Preserve Freshness: Store the tart in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cover loosely with plastic wrap to prevent moisture buildup and protect delicate fruit decoration.
  • Slice and Serve Smart: Use a sharp, clean knife to cut precise portions. Wipe blade between cuts for clean, beautiful slices that showcase the tart's intricate fruit design.
  • Freeze with Care: Wrap individual slices or entire tart in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving to maintain texture and flavor integrity.
  • Temperature Matters: Always serve slightly chilled for optimal taste. Remove from refrigerator 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to soften and fruit glaze to become more vibrant and appealing.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 42 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 8

What Goes Into Paula Deen’s Fruit Tart

For Crust Ingredients:
  • Confectioner's Sugar: Choose ultra-fine powder for smoother texture and easier blending.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Select unbleached variety for more robust flavor and better structure.
  • Softened Butter: Pick high-quality unsalted butter with rich, creamy consistency.
For Filling Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese: Opt for full-fat version at room temperature for silkier mixture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Use pure cane sugar for clean, consistent sweetness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Select pure extract over imitation for deeper, more authentic flavor.
For Fruit And Glaze Ingredients:
  • Strawberries, Kiwi, Blueberries, Raspberries: Choose ripe, vibrant fruits without bruises or soft spots.
  • Limeade Concentrate, Fresh Lime Juice: Use freshly squeezed lime for brighter, zingier taste.
  • Cornstarch, Granulated Sugar: Pick fine-ground cornstarch for smoother glaze consistency.

Tools and Supplies for Making Paula Deen’s Fruit Tart

  • Food Processor: Perfect for blending crust ingredients into smooth, even dough.
  • 12-inch Tart Pan: Removable bottom makes serving and presentation a breeze.
  • Mixing Bowl: Essential for whipping cream cheese filling to silky perfection.
  • Pastry Brush: Helps apply glaze gently and evenly over delicate fruit.
  • Small Saucepan: Ideal for creating and cooking zesty fruit glaze.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
  • Sharp Knife: Great for slicing strawberries, kiwi, and other fruits with clean, thin cuts.
  • Spatula: Helps spread filling smoothly and evenly across the crust.
  • Cooling Rack: Allows crust to cool completely before adding filling.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Paula Deen’s Fruit Tart

Step-by-Step Instructions for Paula Deen’s Fruit Tart
  • Prepare Baking Setup

Warm your oven to a cozy 350°F and lovingly coat a tart pan with a light butter kiss. This sets the stage for your culinary masterpiece.

  • Craft Tender Crust

Blend flour, sugar, and butter in a food processor until they dance together into a smooth, silky dough. Gently press this mixture into every corner of your pan, creating a golden foundation. Bake until edges turn a delicate, toasty brown, then let it cool completely.

  • Whip Dreamy Filling

Transform cream cheese into a velvety cloud by whisking with sugar and vanilla. Spread this luscious mixture across your cooled crust, creating a creamy canvas.

  • Design Fruit Landscape

Slice strawberries into delicate rounds and kiwi into elegant circles. Arrange these like a vibrant artwork – strawberries creating a beautiful border, kiwi forming an inner ring, and blueberries and raspberries filling the remaining spaces with colorful bursts.

  • Create Zesty Glaze

In a small pan, combine limeade, cornstarch, lime juice, and sugar. Cook until the mixture transforms into a clear, glossy liquid that will make your fruits shine.

  • Finish With Radiant Shine

Tenderly brush the glaze over your fruit, ensuring each piece gleams with a delicate, appetizing sheen.

  • Chill And Serve

Refrigerate your masterpiece for at least an hour, allowing flavors to mingle. Remove from the fridge just before serving to welcome your guests with a stunning dessert.

Expert Tips and Twists for Paula Deen’s Fruit Tart

Explore creative ways to personalize this vibrant tart with exciting twists and professional techniques.

Replace standard berries with mangoes, peaches, or passion fruit during their peak harvest times. Tropical fruits add unexpected bursts of flavor and gorgeous color variations that transform the classic dessert.

Experiment by mixing ground almonds or graham cracker crumbs into the shortbread base. These additions create delightful textural nuances and introduce subtle nutty undertones that complement the creamy filling beautifully.

Infuse citrus glaze with fresh herbs like mint or basil for sophisticated aromatic dimensions. Lavender or rosemary can introduce elegant herbal notes that surprise and delight sophisticated palates.

Prepare tart components separately up to two days in advance. Store crust and filling individually, then assemble and decorate just before serving to maintain maximum freshness and prevent soggy texture.

Serving Suggestions for Paula Deen’s Fruit Tart

  • Serve with Chilled Delight: Present this vibrant tart directly from the refrigerator, allowing its cool temperature to enhance the fresh fruit's crisp texture and bright flavors.
  • Garnish with Zesty Flair: Sprinkle fresh mint leaves or lemon zest around the tart's edge to add a pop of color and extra aromatic dimension to the dessert.
  • Pair with Creamy Companion: Complement the tart with a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the fruit's tanginess and provide a luxurious contrast.
  • Create Elegant Presentation: Use a decorative cake stand or elegant white plate to showcase the tart's beautiful fruit arrangement, making it a stunning centerpiece for any dessert table.
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Elegant Paula Deen Fruit Tart Recipe

Elegant Paula Deen Fruit Tart Recipe


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4.6 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 42 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Delectable paula deen fruit tart combines buttery crust with creamy custard and fresh seasonal berries. Sweet and tangy flavors create a perfect dessert that will delight guests at any gathering.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 (8 oz / 226 g) package softened cream cheese
  • 1 ½ sticks (170 g) softened and sliced unsalted butter
  • ½ cup plus ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 (6 oz / 177 ml) can thawed frozen limeade concentrate
  • ½ cup confectioner’s sugar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Fresh fruit for topping: strawberries, kiwi slices, blueberries, raspberries
  • Whipped cream for garnish

Instructions

  1. Crust Preparation: Pulse confectioner’s sugar, flour, and butter in a food processor until a uniform dough forms. Press mixture into a 12-inch tart pan, covering bottom and sides evenly. Bake at 175°C for 10-12 minutes until golden, then cool completely.
  2. Cream Layer Construction: Whip cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until silky smooth. Spread this luxurious mixture uniformly across the cooled crust, creating a rich base for the fruit.
  3. Fruit Arrangement: Design a visually stunning surface by positioning strawberry slices in a circular pattern around the tart’s perimeter. Nestle kiwi slices between strawberries, then strategically place blueberries and cluster raspberries in the central region.
  4. Glaze Development: Combine limeade concentrate, cornstarch, lime juice, and sugar in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring continuously until the mixture transforms into a translucent, thickened glaze (approximately 2 minutes). Allow to cool slightly.
  5. Finishing Touches: Delicately brush the glaze over the fruit using a pastry brush, ensuring a light, even coating. Refrigerate for 1 hour to harmonize flavors. Remove 15 minutes before serving, slice into 8 wedges, and garnish with a dollop of whipped cream.

Notes

  • Crust Consistency: Pulse ingredients just until the dough comes together, avoiding overworking which can make the crust tough and dense.
  • Fruit Selection: Choose ripe, firm fruits at peak freshness to ensure vibrant flavor and beautiful visual presentation on the tart.
  • Glaze Temperature: Cool the glaze slightly before applying to prevent fruit from becoming soggy or losing its natural luster and texture.
  • Chilling Technique: Refrigerate the tart for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld and help the cream cheese layer set firmly for clean, precise slicing.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 40 g
  • Sodium: 250 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
Jessica Martinez

Jessica Martinez

Pastry Chef & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Organic Baking Techniques, Gluten-Free Recipe Development, Southwestern Dessert Specialties, Food Styling and Photography

Education

Santa Fe Community College (SFCC)

  • Program: Certificate in Patisserie
  • Focus: Cultivating disciplined kitchen preparation for a safe, organized, and sanitary workstation; mastering the timely production of nutritious, visually appealing pastries; safely operating standard pastry equipment; and honing core patissier techniques for professional pastry work.

Jessica brings the sweet side to Urban Organic with her passion for baking and love for the Southwest. She trained at Santa Fe Community College and has built a career creating beautiful, gluten-free, and organic desserts that feel both nostalgic and new.

She believes baking should be fun, creative, and open to everyone, no matter your diet or skill level. Jessica’s recipes are simple enough to follow, but special enough to remember.

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