The key to the flavorful crust for this summery fruit tart is letting it bake until it’s really well-browned throughout, which might mean letting it get a bit darker than you’re used to.
Recipe information
Yield
8 servings
Ingredients
Crust
Custard and Assembly
Preparation
Crust
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°. Whisk all-purpose flour, almond flour, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk egg yolks and 1 Tbsp. cold water in a small bowl.
Step 2
Add butter to dry ingredients. Rub butter into dry ingredients with your fingertips to create large, shaggy pieces of dough (the idea is to smash the butter into the flour, creating some pieces that are flat and thin and some that are large and irregular).
Step 3
Using a fork or your fingertips, toss egg yolk mixture into dough to combine. Knead dough in bowl with your hands until it starts to come together (it will still look a little dry; if it looks too dry and doesn't come together, add 1–2 Tbsp. more water, but only if needed).
Step 4
Turn dough out onto a work surface and knead 1 or 2 more times. Divide dough in half, stack 1 piece on top of the other, then press down firmly to smash both dough pieces together. Repeat several times until dough is well combined and becomes slightly sticky.
Step 5
Press dough into bottom and 1" up sides of a 9" springform pan or a 9" tart mold. Prick dough all over with a fork. Freeze until very firm, 20–30 minutes.
Step 6
Bake crust until deep golden brown all over, 35–40 minutes. Let cool.
Step 7
Do Ahead: Crust can be baked 2 days ahead. Wrap very tightly with plastic and store at room temperature.
Custard and Assembly
Step 8
Bring milk and vanilla paste to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from heat.
Step 9
Meanwhile, whisk egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl (start slowly—it won’t want to combine easily at first). Then vigorously whisk until mixture lightens in color to a very pale yellow and is very thick, about 1 minute (the sugar should be nearly dissolved). Slowly whisk in hot milk mixture. Return custard base to saucepan. Heat over medium and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly, until mixture is bubbling and thick with no cornstarch taste, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Add butter a couple of pieces at a time, whisking until fully melted before adding more, until all butter is incorporated. Transfer to a medium bowl and cover with plastic wrap, pressing directly against surface of cream. Let cool.
Step 10
Vigorously whisk cooled custard until smooth and slightly loosened. Spread inside cooled crust. Top with berries.
Step 11
Do Ahead: Custard can be made 4 days ahead. Keep chilled.
