This Strawberry Mascarpone Tart is a beautifully elegant dessert, perfect for spring and summer gatherings. With a buttery tart crust, creamy mascarpone filling, and a topping of fresh strawberries, this tart offers a perfect balance of sweetness and creaminess. It’s simple to make but looks impressively sophisticated — a perfect treat for any special occasion or weekend indulgence.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Crust:

1 1/2 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
1 egg yolk
1-2 tablespoons ice water

For the Mascarpone Filling:

1 cup (250 g) mascarpone cheese
1 cup (250 ml) heavy cream
1/3 cup (40 g) powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Topping:

1 lb (450 g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

Directions

Make the Crust: In a food processor, combine flour, sugar, and cold cubed butter. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg yolk and 1 tablespoon ice water. Pulse until the dough starts to come together. If needed, add another tablespoon of water. Form dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
Bake the Crust: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface and fit it into a 9-inch (23 cm) tart pan. Prick the bottom with a fork, line with parchment paper, and fill with pie weights (or dried beans). Bake for 15 minutes, then remove parchment and weights, and bake for another 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Let cool completely.
Prepare the Filling: In a bowl, beat mascarpone, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold whipped cream into mascarpone mixture until combined.
Assemble the Tart: Spread the mascarpone filling evenly into the cooled tart crust. Arrange sliced strawberries on top in a decorative pattern.
Chill and Serve: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the filling to set. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Nutrients

(Per Slice – Approximate, based on 8 slices)

Calories: 390 kcal
Total Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 17g
Cholesterol: 110mg
Sodium: 60mg
Total Carbohydrates: 31g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 14g
Protein: 5g

The Perfect Spring or Summer Dessert

With its vibrant red strawberries on top and a luscious cream filling, the Strawberry Mascarpone Tart is truly a seasonal showstopper. It captures the essence of both spring and summer with the sweetness of fresh fruit and the smooth richness of mascarpone cheese, making it the ideal dessert for warm-weather gatherings. Whether it’s a family barbecue, a picnic in the park, or a dinner party, this tart fits seamlessly into any celebration, offering a refreshing contrast to richer, heavier desserts.

The contrast between the crisp tart shell, the creamy filling, and the sweet, juicy strawberries creates a multi-layered experience with each bite. It’s a dessert that looks sophisticated, but is deceptively easy to make, which is why it’s perfect for both novice and experienced bakers.

A Buttery Tart Crust: The Foundation of a Perfect Tart

The base of this dessert is a buttery, slightly sweet tart crust that provides the perfect crunch and holds the mascarpone filling in place. While some tarts use a traditional shortcrust pastry, this recipe ensures that the tart crust is easy to prepare by using simple ingredients that create a perfectly crisp, flaky texture. The key to success with this crust is to handle it gently, ensuring that it stays cold throughout the process.

After chilling the dough, the crust is baked to a golden perfection. The final result is a crisp, sturdy base that contrasts beautifully with the soft and creamy mascarpone filling. This flaky, buttery crust serves as the ideal foundation for the mascarpone filling, complementing its richness without overwhelming it. Whether served as an individual tart or sliced into portions, the crust provides an essential balance to the dessert’s overall composition.

Mascarpone Filling: Creamy and Dreamy

What truly sets this tart apart is its mascarpone filling. Mascarpone cheese, known for its rich, creamy texture and mild flavor, is the star of this recipe. The filling is made by whipping mascarpone cheese with heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. This simple but effective combination creates a silky, smooth filling that’s not overly sweet but has a beautiful creamy consistency.

The addition of whipped cream lightens the mascarpone, making the filling less dense and more airy. The result is a fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that contrasts with the tartness of the strawberries and the crunch of the crust. It’s a combination that offers both richness and lightness, ensuring that the dessert never feels too heavy or overly indulgent. The subtle sweetness from the powdered sugar and the delicate vanilla extract elevate the flavors of the mascarpone without overpowering its natural richness.

Fresh Strawberries: The Star of the Topping

No tart would be complete without a beautifully arranged topping, and fresh strawberries are the perfect choice for this dessert. The natural sweetness and slight acidity of strawberries perfectly balance the richness of the mascarpone filling, providing a refreshing contrast. The bright red color of the strawberries also adds a visually appealing element to the tart, making it look as beautiful as it tastes.

The strawberries can be sliced thinly and arranged in any pattern you like, from a simple fan shape to a more intricate design. The strawberries’ natural sweetness is complemented by the creamy, slightly tangy mascarpone filling beneath, making each bite a harmonious blend of flavors. For added flair, a light glaze or a sprinkle of sugar on top of the strawberries can give them an extra shine and a touch of sparkle.

Why This Tart is Perfect for Special Occasions

The Strawberry Mascarpone Tart is the ultimate dessert for any occasion that calls for something refreshing, yet elegant. Whether you’re planning a Mother’s Day brunch, a summer wedding, or a simple get-together with friends, this tart fits perfectly into the theme of celebrations and indulgence. It’s easy enough to prepare ahead of time, allowing you to focus on other parts of your meal while it chills and sets in the refrigerator.

Moreover, the tart is highly adaptable, allowing you to make changes depending on what’s in season or what flavors you prefer. While the strawberry topping is traditional, you can easily switch it up by using raspberries, blueberries, or even peaches to create your own unique variation. This versatility means you can enjoy this tart year-round, even when strawberries aren’t in peak season.

The Perfect Balance: Sweet and Creamy with Just a Touch of Tartness

One of the reasons this tart works so well is because of the balance between the sweetness of the mascarpone filling, the crispness of the tart shell, and the freshness of the strawberries. The Strawberry Mascarpone Tart isn’t overly sweet, making it an ideal dessert for those who enjoy a lighter, more balanced treat. The filling’s creaminess complements the strawberries’ natural tartness, while the crust adds a welcome contrast with its crispness and slight sweetness.

This balanced flavor profile ensures that the tart never feels cloying or heavy, making it perfect for after a rich meal or as a light dessert on a warm afternoon. The use of lemon juice in the filling further enhances this balance, bringing a subtle citrus note that complements the strawberries without overpowering them.

Make Ahead and Serve Chilled: A Perfect Prep-Ahead Dessert

One of the best aspects of the Strawberry Mascarpone Tart is that it can be made ahead of time, which makes it an ideal dessert for hosting. The tart needs to chill for at least an hour before serving, allowing all the flavors to meld together and the filling to set properly. This makes it a stress-free dessert option when preparing for a dinner party, family gathering, or picnic. You can even make the tart a day or two ahead of time, ensuring that it’s ready to serve whenever you need it.

Once the tart is chilled, it can be easily sliced into wedges, making it a convenient option for serving. The Strawberry Mascarpone Tart can be refrigerated for up to three days, so it’s perfect for making in advance and enjoying over several days.

Conclusion: A Dessert That Impresses

The Strawberry Mascarpone Tart is a simple yet sophisticated dessert that perfectly balances the richness of mascarpone with the bright, fresh taste of strawberries. The buttery tart crust provides a crisp foundation, while the creamy filling adds a dreamy texture. Whether you’re hosting a special event or simply treating yourself to something indulgent, this tart is the perfect choice for any occasion.

Its elegance and ease of preparation make it a versatile dessert that can be enjoyed year-round, and the ability to make it ahead of time makes it a practical option for busy bakers. This tart not only tastes amazing but looks impressive as well, making it the ultimate centerpiece dessert for any gathering. So go ahead and treat yourself to this Strawberry Mascarpone Tart—it’s sure to become a new favorite in your dessert rotation!

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