Patriotic Red, White & Berry Tart
This Red, White & Berry Tart features a creamy filling topped with blueberries, strawberries and shredded coconut. It’s a tasty (and fun) dessert for 4th of July parties!
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While I went with fresh strawberries and shredded coconut in this version, this recipe can easily be adapted either to your favorite berries or to whichever berries are in season. This time, I layered strawberries and shredded coconut and then scattered blueberries around the plate along with a piece of the tart. I also used a rectangular tart pan…the red and white color-blocked rows make for a great presentation. (My wife would be so proud of me for using a fashion term here!) But, in truth, you can adjust this recipe to fit whatever size tart pan you happen to have around. And tap into your artistic side when it comes to displaying the berries. (This is also a great way to get kids involved in the kitchen…let them decorate the tart for dessert tonight!)
I prefer to use mascarpone cheese as the primary ingredient in the base of this tart. Mascarpone cheese is Italian in origin, and it is somewhat similar to cream cheese. However, mascarpone cheese is much easier to spread, which makes it ideal for filling a tart. I do also lighten the texture of the mascarpone by folding in a small amount of freshly whipped cream. The pie crust in this recipe tends to be rather flaky, but the tart is still easily filled thanks to the light texture of the mascarpone. Since the mascarpone mixture is not baked, this is an extremely easy dessert to pull together on short notice (especially if you use store-bought pie dough instead of the homemade version). Soon enough it’ll be winter and we’ll be talking root veggies and stews (which isn’t necessarily bad), so get out and enjoy the fresh summer berries while they are in season!
Red, White, & Berry Tart
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1¼ cups all purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter diced and chilled
- 2 Tbsp cold water
For the Mascarpone Filling
- 8 oz mascarpone cheese
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- zest of 1 lemon
- ½ cup confectioner's sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ Tbsp light brown sugar
- 1 pound strawberries hulled and sliced
- 1½ cups shredded coconut
- 1 cup blueberries
Instructions
For the Crust
- In a medium bowl, combine flour and salt.
- Using a pastry blender or two forks, cut in butter until mixture forms small pea-sized balls.
- Slowly add water and toss mixture lightly with a fork until dough forms a single ball and pulls away from edge of bowl. If needed, add more water in very small increments until no dry ingredients left in bowl.
- Chill dough for 20 minutes.
- Flour table well and roll out dough until approximately 1/8 inch thick. Use caution at this step to ensure that dough does not stick to rolling pin or table. (Dust pin and table if dough begins to stick.) The dimensions of the dough should correspond to the size tart pan you are using.
- Roll finished dough onto floured pin and unroll into tart pan. Cut off any excess dough and push dough into the crimped edges of the pan.
- Use a fork to dock the dough at regular intervals. Scatter pie weights (or dry beans) around the tart to keep it from developing air bubbles while baking.
- Bake at 425 for 20-24 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
- Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
For the Mascarpone Filling
- In a small bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks begin to form. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, stir the mascarpone until loose. Add the lemon zest, confectioner's sugar, vanilla, and brown sugar. Stir until well combined.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture.
Assembling the Tart
- Carefully place the baked shell on a large plate.
- Using an offset spatula, fill the shell with the mascarpone mixture.
- Layer the sliced strawberries and shredded coconut in alternating rows (or any other design you choose). Scatter blueberries around the edge of the tart.
- Chill for 1 hour prior to serving. Serve cold.
This tart looks delicious! I’ve been in a serious berry-eating mood this summer, too. We’re not lucky enough to grow our own, but our fridge is always stuffed with cartons and cartons of fresh berries. I love that they’re sweet enough to be dessert on their own, but are also so good in other desserts!
Thanks for the comment, Elizabeth! This tart is one of my favorite summer desserts…mainly because it is really easy to make and it highlights the taste of the fresh berries. Happy tart making!!
Beautiful tart, I love coconut!
Thanks, Ashley!