Elegant Strawberry Devonshire Tart
Indulge in the delightful layers of our Elegant Strawberry Devonshire Tart, a perfect blend of rich cream cheese and refreshing strawberries. This dessert features a flaky pastry crust that cradles a smooth cream cheese filling, topped with fresh strawberries and a glossy sugar glaze. Easy to make and a feast for the eyes, this tart is ideal for gatherings or as a sweet treat for family and friends. Serve it chilled for a refreshing finish to any meal and elevate your dessert experience.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pastry Shell
1 (Cooled)
Cream Cheese
3 ounces (Softened)
Sour Cream
3 tablespoons (N/A)
Strawberries
1 - 1 1/2 quarts (Washed and hulled)
Red Food Coloring
To taste (N/A)
Granulated Sugar
1 cup (N/A)
Cornstarch
3 tablespoons (N/A)
All-Purpose Flour
1 cup (N/A)
Granulated Sugar for Pastry
1 tablespoon (N/A)
Butter
6 tablespoons (Room temperature (not soft))
Egg Yolk
1 (N/A)
Instructions
1
Prepare the pastry by combining the all-purpose flour and 1 tablespoon of sugar in a bowl. Use your fingertips to work in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2
Incorporate the egg yolk and add 1 tablespoon of ice water gradually, mixing gently until the dough begins to hold together. Avoid overworking the dough.
3
Shape the dough into a flat round disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill it in the refrigerator until firm enough to roll out, about 30 minutes.
4
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the chilled dough between sheets of wax paper to fit a 9-inch loose-bottomed tart pan.
5
Remove the top layer of wax paper and carefully invert the pastry into the tart pan, centering it as you let it drop into place. Gently peel away the paper, then press the dough into the pan to fit snugly.
6
Prick the bottom of the pastry with a fork to prevent bubbling. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the pastry is lightly browned. Allow it to cool completely before adding the filling.
7
For the filling, beat the softened cream cheese in a mixing bowl until fluffy. Add the sour cream and continue beating until the mixture is smooth.
8
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled pastry crust and refrigerate while you prepare the strawberry topping.
9
Wash and hull the strawberries, then mash enough of them to yield 1 cup. In a saucepan, mix together 1 cup of sugar and 3 tablespoons of cornstarch.
10
Add 1/2 cup of water and the mashed strawberries to the saucepan, cooking over medium heat while stirring continuously until the mixture becomes translucent and thickened, then boil for about 1 minute.
11
Let the cooked mixture cool slightly, adding red food coloring if desired, to enhance the color.
12
Arrange the remaining strawberries, tips facing up, over the cream cheese filling in the tart shell. Pour the cooled strawberry mixture over the top, ensuring even distribution.
13
Chill the tart in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the filling to set.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Elegant Strawberry Devonshire Tart?
It is a sophisticated layered dessert featuring a flaky pastry crust, a smooth cream cheese and sour cream filling, fresh strawberries, and a glossy strawberry glaze.
What are the main ingredients for the tart crust?
The crust consists of all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, room temperature butter, an egg yolk, and a small amount of ice water.
How many strawberries are needed for this recipe?
You will need between 1 and 1 1/2 quarts of fresh strawberries, which are washed and hulled before use.
What is the filling made of?
The filling is a smooth mixture of 3 ounces of softened cream cheese and 3 tablespoons of sour cream.
How do I prepare the strawberry glaze?
The glaze is made by cooking 1 cup of mashed strawberries with 1 cup of sugar, 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, and 1/2 cup of water until thickened and translucent.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) for baking the pastry.
How long does the pastry shell bake?
Bake the pastry for approximately 15 minutes or until it is lightly browned.
Should the pastry be warm or cold when adding the filling?
The pastry shell must be allowed to cool completely before you add the cream cheese filling.
How long should the tart chill before serving?
The tart should be refrigerated for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the filling to set.
How do I prevent the pastry from bubbling during baking?
You should prick the bottom of the pastry with a fork before placing it in the oven to prevent bubbling.
What size tart pan is recommended?
A 9-inch loose-bottomed tart pan is recommended for this recipe.
Do I need to chill the dough before rolling?
Yes, the dough should be wrapped in plastic and chilled for about 30 minutes until it is firm enough to roll out.
How should the strawberries be arranged on the tart?
The whole strawberries should be arranged with their tips facing upward over the cream cheese filling.
Can I add food coloring to the tart?
Yes, you can add red food coloring to the strawberry glaze mixture to enhance its color if desired.
What is the role of cornstarch in the recipe?
Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent for the strawberry glaze to give it the proper consistency and gloss.
How do I incorporate the butter into the flour for the crust?
Use your fingertips to work the butter into the flour and sugar until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Is this tart served warm?
No, this is a chilled dessert that is best served cold for a refreshing finish to a meal.
How much sugar is in the pastry dough itself?
The pastry dough contains 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar.
What type of flour should I use?
This recipe calls for 1 cup of all-purpose flour.
Should the cream cheese be cold when mixing the filling?
No, the cream cheese should be softened to ensure it beats into a fluffy and smooth consistency.
How do I transfer the rolled dough to the tart pan?
Roll the dough between sheets of wax paper, remove the top sheet, invert it into the pan, and then peel away the remaining paper.
How long do I boil the strawberry glaze?
Once the mixture becomes translucent and thickened, boil it for about 1 minute.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
The recipe specifies fresh strawberries for washing, hulling, and arranging with tips up, which provides the best texture and appearance.
What happens if I overwork the dough?
You should avoid overworking the dough to ensure the pastry remains flaky and tender.
How much water is added to the pastry dough?
Add 1 tablespoon of ice water gradually while mixing the dough.
How much water is used in the strawberry glaze?
The glaze requires 1/2 cup of water mixed with the mashed strawberries.
What is the final texture of the strawberry glaze?
The glaze should be glossy, thickened, and translucent.
Can I substitute the sour cream?
The recipe specifically calls for sour cream to achieve the signature Devonshire style filling.
Is this recipe suitable for gatherings?
Yes, its elegant appearance and refreshing flavor make it ideal for family gatherings or special sweet treats.
What part of the strawberry is used for the glaze?
Enough strawberries are mashed to yield 1 cup of fruit for the cooked glaze component.