Indulge in the Perfect Summer Treat: Strawberry Almond Cream Tart

There’s nothing quite like a refreshing, flavorful dessert to brighten a summer day, and this **Strawberry Almond Cream Tart** is the epitome of seasonal delight. With its vibrant red strawberries, creamy filling, and delightful crunch of almonds, this tart isn’t just a dessert; it’s an experience. Originating from the cherished pages of the Cooking Light Cookbook: Cooking Through the Seasons, this recipe has been a go-to for many who seek a lighter yet incredibly satisfying sweet treat. The base is a simple, buttery graham cracker crust, providing the perfect textural contrast to the smooth, light cream cheese filling. Crowned with fresh, juicy strawberries and a scattering of toasted slivered almonds, it’s a masterpiece that captures the essence of summer in every single bite.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Strawberry Almond Cream Tart

Beyond its undeniable beauty, this **homemade strawberry tart** boasts a combination of flavors and textures that make it truly irresistible. Imagine biting into a crisp, slightly sweet graham cracker crust, followed by a velvety, tangy cream cheese layer infused with fragrant vanilla and almond extracts. Then, a burst of fresh, sweet strawberries, enhanced by a delicate glaze and the irresistible crunch of toasted almonds. It’s a symphony of tastes that’s both elegant and comforting.

This dessert is particularly ideal for warmer months. Its light and refreshing profile means it won’t weigh you down, making it perfect for backyard barbecues, picnics, or simply as a lovely ending to a family meal. The use of fresh, seasonal strawberries ensures peak flavor, bringing a natural sweetness that shines without being overly sugary. Plus, while it looks impressively sophisticated, the preparation process is surprisingly straightforward, even for novice bakers. It’s a dessert that tastes gourmet but is entirely achievable in your own kitchen.

This delightful recipe is reprinted with permission from Cooking Light Cooking Through the Seasons: An Everyday Guide to Enjoying the Freshest Food. It’s a testament to how simple, wholesome ingredients can come together to create something truly extraordinary.

Gather Your Ingredients for This Easy Strawberry Tart

Creating this stunning **fruit tart recipe** requires a few key components, each playing a crucial role in its overall perfection. While the list might seem extensive, most are pantry staples or easily found at your local grocery store. For best results, always opt for the freshest ingredients, especially when it comes to the stars of the show – the strawberries.

For this irresistible dessert, you’ll need:

• Honey graham crackers (the foundation of our delightful crust)
• Granulated sugar (for both crust, filling, and glaze)
• Unsalted butter (to bind the crust and add richness)
• Light cream cheese (the secret to our airy, tangy filling)
• Vanilla extract (a classic flavor enhancer)
• Almond extract (for that subtle, complementary nutty aroma)
• Fresh, ripe strawberries (the star topping, hulled and ready)
• Cornstarch (to create a smooth, glossy strawberry glaze)
• Fresh lemon juice (to brighten the strawberry glaze)
• Sliced almonds (preferably toasted, for crunch and added flavor)
• A tart pan with a removable bottom (essential for easy serving)

Choosing the Best Tart Pan for Flawless Results

One of the most critical pieces of equipment for baking any tart, especially one with a delicate crust like our **graham cracker crust tart**, is the right pan. A **tart pan with a removable bottom** is not just a convenience; it’s an absolute game-changer. The short, crumbly nature of many tart crusts makes them incredibly difficult to remove from a standard pie dish in one piece. Trust us, countless otherwise beautiful tarts have been sacrificed to the wrong pan type!

The removable bottom allows you to easily slide the tart out, preserving its pristine edges and preventing it from sticking. This ensures your hard work results in a beautifully presented dessert every time. You have a couple of options for pan sizes, depending on your serving needs:

• 9-inch round tart pan with a removable bottom: This is the classic choice for a family-sized tart, perfect for sharing at gatherings.
• Individual tart pans: For a more elegant presentation or portion control, individual tart pans are a fantastic option. We often use four 4-inch individual tart pans – they’re incredibly charming and make serving a breeze.

If you’re in the market for some adorable individual tart pans, we found these on Amazon for a great price – a set of 6 for less than $15. They’re a fantastic investment for any home baker.

For those preferring a larger format, a **9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom** is a kitchen essential. We highly recommend one with over 1,000 4.5-star reviews for less than $20. Investing in quality bakeware makes a significant difference in your baking experience and results.

Strawberry-Almond Cream Tart: The Recipe

This recipe is designed to create one beautiful 9-inch tart, serving 8 people generously. If you prefer to make individual tarts using four 4-inch pans, you might consider using slightly more graham crackers (around 42, or 10-11 sheets) and just a touch more of the other crust ingredients to ensure adequate coverage for all four smaller shells.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Chill Time: 3 hours

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 492 kcal per serving

Equipment You’ll Need:

• Food processor
• Medium bowl
• Small saucepan
• Whisk
• Wire rack
• Tart Pans with Removable Bottoms (either 9-inch or individual)

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

• 36 honey graham crackers (approximately 9 sheets)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 4 teaspoons water

For the Filling:

• 2/3 cup 1/3 less fat cream cheese (about 5 ounces), softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

For the Topping:

• 6 cups fresh strawberries, hulled
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a food processor, process the graham crackers until finely crumbly. Add 2 tablespoons of sugar, the melted butter, and 4 teaspoons of water. Pulse until the mixture is just moistened and holds together when pressed. Lightly coat a 9-inch round tart pan (or four individual tart pans) with cooking spray. Press the cracker mixture evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the pan to a height of about 3/4 inch. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the crust is lightly browned. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
2. Make the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup of sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Stir vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps. Carefully spread this cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled tart crust.
3. Craft the Strawberry Glaze: Place 2 cups of the hulled strawberries into the food processor and process until you have a smooth puree. In a small saucepan, combine this strawberry puree with the remaining 2/3 cup of sugar and the cornstarch. Whisk constantly over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove the glaze from the heat and allow it to cool completely to room temperature, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming.
4. Assemble the Tart: In a separate bowl, combine the remaining 4 cups of hulled strawberries with the fresh lemon juice and toss gently to coat. Arrange these fresh berries, bottoms up, in a beautiful circular pattern over the cream cheese filling. Spoon half of the prepared strawberry glaze evenly over the berries (you can reserve the remaining glaze for another delightful use, perhaps over ice cream or pancakes). Finally, sprinkle the toasted sliced almonds artistically around the edge of the tart.
5. Chill and Serve: Cover the tart loosely with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours. This crucial step allows the filling to set properly and the flavors to meld beautifully. Once chilled, slice and serve this exquisite **light cream tart**.

Tips for a Perfectly Crafted Tart

Achieving a show-stopping **strawberry almond cream tart** is easy with a few expert tips:

• Use Ripe Strawberries: The fresher and riper your strawberries, the more flavorful your tart will be. Taste a few before you start; if they’re a little tart, you might want to slightly increase the sugar in the glaze.
• Don’t Overprocess the Crust: When making the graham cracker crust, pulse just until moist. Over-processing can lead to a tough crust.
• Soften Cream Cheese: Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing for the filling. This prevents lumps and ensures a silky-smooth consistency.
• Toasting Almonds is Key: Don’t skip toasting the sliced almonds! This simple step significantly enhances their nutty flavor and adds an extra layer of aroma and crunch. Toast them gently in a dry skillet over medium-low heat until fragrant and lightly golden.
• Cool the Glaze Completely: Pouring warm glaze over your cream cheese filling could cause it to melt or become watery. Patience is a virtue here!
• Arranging Strawberries: For a professional look, start arranging your whole strawberries from the outside edge of the tart, working your way inwards, ensuring the “best side” of the berry faces up.

Delicious Variations to Explore

While this **easy tart recipe** is perfect as is, it also lends itself beautifully to creative variations:

• Mixed Berry Tart: Substitute some of the strawberries with other fresh berries like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries for a colorful and flavorful medley.
• Citrus Zest Boost: Add 1 teaspoon of fresh orange or lemon zest to the cream cheese filling for an extra bright, zesty note.
• Different Crusts: Experiment with other cookie crumbs for the crust, such as vanilla wafers, shortbread cookies, or even chocolate wafers for a darker, richer base.
• Nutty Alternatives: Replace almonds with toasted pecans, walnuts, or even pistachios for a different flavor profile.
• Chocolate Drizzle: For chocolate lovers, a light drizzle of melted dark or white chocolate over the finished tart before chilling can be a decadent addition.
• Whipped Cream Garnish: A dollop of freshly whipped cream or a sprig of fresh mint can elevate the presentation and taste even further.

Serving and Storing Your Strawberry Almond Cream Tart

This **dessert for summer** is best served chilled, directly from the refrigerator. The cool temperature enhances the refreshing qualities of the strawberries and keeps the cream cheese filling firm. Slice with a sharp knife for clean cuts, especially when removing from a removable-bottom tart pan. Pair it with a cup of coffee, a glass of iced tea, or a light dessert wine for a truly delightful experience.

If you have any leftovers (which is unlikely!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The tart will remain fresh and delicious for 2-3 days. While the crust might soften slightly over time, the flavors will continue to be wonderful. We do not recommend freezing this tart, as the texture of the fresh strawberries and cream cheese filling can suffer upon thawing.

Embrace the Sweetness of Summer

This **Strawberry Almond Cream Tart** is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to savor the best of the season. Its elegant appearance, combined with its delightful blend of textures and flavors, makes it a perfect choice for any occasion, from casual family dinners to sophisticated gatherings. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey, this tart offers a rewarding experience with incredibly delicious results.

So, gather your ingredients, prepare your tart pan, and get ready to create a dessert that will truly impress. We hope you enjoy making and sharing this fantastic **homemade dessert inspiration** as much as we do. It’s a taste of summer sunshine in every glorious slice!

Have you tried this recipe? Let us know how it was!

Keyword: healthy, strawberries, tart

Nutrition Information (per serving):

• Calories: 492 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 86g
• Protein: 7g
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 18mg
• Sodium: 536mg
• Potassium: 350mg
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 47g
• Vitamin A: 211 IU
• Vitamin C: 64mg
• Calcium: 106mg
• Iron: 3mg