Nothing says summer like fresh fruit, which is why fruit tart is such a hit this time of year!
Bursting with vibrant colors and flavors of mixed fresh fruit, a deliciously creamy filling, and the perfect crispy tart shell, it’s easy to see why fruit tart is such a beloved dessert.
Now, it may seem too good to be true to see the words ‘vegan’ and ‘pastry’ together, but trust us, we’ve got the perfect recipe for a vegan fruit tart!
If you’re on the lookout for a delicious and healthy dessert that will make your taste buds sing, look no further than this vegan fruit tart.
This vegan fruit tart is a scrumptious mix of creamy cashew filling, fresh and juicy mixed fruit, and a deliciously crispy crust that’ll leave you wanting more. And the best part? It’s completely plant-based!
What is Fruit Tart Made From?
Traditional fruit tart is a classic French dessert, made from a buttery crust, a layer of pastry cream or custard, and a beautiful arrangement of fresh fruits on top.
The fruit toppings vary depending on the season and availability, but generally, classic fruit tarts are made with strawberries, kiwi, peaches, and blueberries.
The secret ingredient in most fruit tarts is a glaze made from apricot jam, which adds a sweet and fruity flavor, while also giving the tart a glossy, professional-looking finish.
How Do You Make A Vegan Pastry?
Gone are the days of not being able to indulge in your favorite pastries because they’re made from animal-based ingredients.
There are so many great egg-free and dairy-free vegan alternatives available, that making vegan pastry is the easiest it’s ever been! For example, plant-based margarine or shortening can replace butter, and plant-based milk can be used instead of dairy milk.
While pastry has earned itself the reputation of being rather tricky to make, making your own vegan pastry is not as daunting as it sounds.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to pastry is that measurements are key! Baking is a lot like chemistry; too much or not enough of something can throw your whole recipe off.
Here are a few tips and tricks to help you create the perfect vegan pastry for your fruit tart that is just as delicious as traditional pastry.
Use the Right Ingredients
Avoid substitutions and ensure your vegan ingredients are high-quality and fresh.
Keep Your Ingredients Cold
Like traditional pastry, vegan pastry dough should be chilled before use. Keep your ingredients in the fridge until you’re ready to use them, and mix the dough quickly to avoid warming it up too much.
Don’t Overwork the Dough
Overworking the pastry dough can lead to a tough, chewy texture, which you want to avoid. Mix the ingredients together until they are combined. Then, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out.
Be Gentle When Rolling
When rolling out the dough, avoid pressing too hard and work quickly to prevent it from warming up too much. Roll the dough out to an even thickness. Be sure to use a floured surface and rolling pin to prevent sticking.
Blind Bake Your Pastry
To ensure a crisp, tart crust, blind-bake your pastry before adding the filling. To do this, line the pastry with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans to prevent it from puffing up during baking.
What Do You Need to Make Vegan Fruit Tart?
This recipe is perfect for at-home bakers, as you only need a few simple ingredients and pieces of equipment you likely already have on hand!
To make this delicious vegan fruit tart, you’ll need the following kitchen equipment:
- 9-inch tart pan
- Food processor or blender
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling pin
- Pastry cutter or fork
- Rubber Spatula
- Parchment paper
- Pie weights or dried beans to use as a pie weight during baking
- Pastry brush
Can I Make Individual Fruit Tarts Using This Vegan Recipe?
This vegan fruit tart recipe can be easily adapted to make individual servings in small tart tins. Making mini vegan fruit tarts is a great way to serve up a delicious and impressive dessert for a special occasion or dinner party!
You can use any size of tart pans you have on hand, depending on how many servings you’d like to make.
To adjust the recipe for mini tarts, you may need to adjust the amount of crust and filling ingredients accordingly. For example, you might need to use less tart dough for each crust and less filling per tart.
When using smaller tart tins, you may also need to adjust the baking time, as the tarts will likely cook faster than a larger tart. Be sure to keep an eye on them and adjust the baking time accordingly so they don’t burn.
Recipe Notes
Before you break out your measuring cups and spoons, here are a few quick recipe notes and tips to keep in mind as you make this vegan tart.
From crafting the perfect tart crust to creating a Pinterest-worthy fruit arrangement that’ll have you feeling like Picasso, these pro tips will help you make the perfect vegan fruit tart!
Soak the Cashews
To create a smooth and creamy cashew cream filling, soak the cashews overnight to make them easier to blend.
The Vegan Pie Crust
Along with the pastry tips above, try to use a pastry cutter or fork to cut the vegan butter into the flour mixture. This will create a crumbly texture that will come together when you add the ice-cold water
Pie Pan vs Tart Pan
If you don’t have a tart pan, you can use a pie dish instead. Just be sure to adjust the baking time accordingly, as a pie pan may take longer to cook.
Line the Tart Pan
There’s nothing worse than making the perfect tart, only for the crust to stick to the pan. To prevent the crust from sticking, line the bottom of the tart pan with parchment paper. We recommend using parchment paper instead of buttering the surface of the pan.
Vegan Custard
What sets it apart from other fruit desserts is its creamy cashew filling, which gives it an indulgent, luxurious taste and texture.
But, if you’re in a pinch for time, or want to make this recipe even simpler, you can skip making the creamy filling from scratch and use a ready-made vegan custard or custard powder from the grocery store.
Simply prepare the custard according to the package instructions, and pour it into the pre-baked crust. Then, top the custard with your favorite fruits and finish it off with the apricot glaze.
To make sure you have the same creamy texture, be sure to use a sweet custard that has a similar consistency and flavor to the homemade filling, and adjust the amount of fruit and glaze as needed.
Filling Flavor
If you’re craving a lemony dessert, you can create a creamy lemon custard filling.
Just add lemon zest from 1-2 lemons to the cashew filling in this vegan fruit tart recipe to give it a delicious and tangy lemon flavor.
Fruit Toppings
One of the best things about this vegan recipe is that you can get as creative as you want when it comes to your colorful fruit toppings!
Choosing seasonal fruits is always a great idea, as it means your ingredients are as fresh as possible. For summer, some options include sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, mango, and peaches.
For an extra pop of color and flavor, try adding some fresh mint leaves or edible flowers.
Remember to choose fruit that is firm and not too ripe, as they will hold up better on the tart and won’t become mushy.
Using fruits that are sweet and slightly tart is also a great idea, as they will pair well with the creamy cashew filling and the sweet apricot glaze.
Storing Vegan Fruit Tart
We can’t promise you will have any leftovers, as this tart is too good to leave any crumbs uneaten.
But, if you do have any extras, this tart will keep well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days if stored properly in an airtight container.
If you plan to store the tart for a longer period, store the fruit separately from the tart and add it right before serving. This will help prevent the fruit from releasing too much juice and causing the crust to become soggy.
Is This Recipe Gluten-Free?
While this recipe calls for all-purpose flour in the crust, it can be easily adjusted to be vegan and gluten-free. Simply use a gluten-free flour of your choice in place of the all-purpose flour to make it gluten-free. Oat flour and almond flour are both great options.
How To Make Vegan Fruit Tart
Let’s get baking and satisfy those sweet cravings in style with this delicious and easy-to-follow vegan recipe!
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup of vegan butter, cold and cubed (note this can be substituted for equal parts coconut oil if needed)
- 1/4 cup of powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 2-3 tablespoons of ice-cold water
For the filling
- 1 cup of raw cashews, soaked overnight
- 1/4 cup of maple syrup
- 1/4 cup of coconut cream
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
For the topping
- 2 cups of mixed fresh fruit, sliced
- 1/4 cup of apricot jam
- 1 tablespoon of water
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and preparing your tart pan by lining it with parchment paper.
- To make the tart shell, mix the flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add the cubed vegan butter and use a pastry cutter or fork to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse sand.
- Next, add 2 tablespoons of ice-cold water and mix until the dough starts to come together. If the dough is too dry, add another tablespoon of water. Press the dough into the prepared tart pan and prick the bottom with a fork.
- Once your pastry crust is ready, blind-bake it with the pie weights or dried beans for 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden.
To do this, line the pastry with a piece of parchment paper that is slightly larger than the tart pan. Then, fill the pastry with baking beans or pie weights, making sure they are evenly distributed. Press them gently against the sides of the pastry.
Allow the crust to cool completely for at least 30 minutes.
- Now, it’s time to make the tart filling. Start by draining and rinsing the pre-soaked cashews. In a blender or food processor, blend the cashews, maple syrup, coconut cream, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
You can skip this step if you’re using a ready-made custard filling.
- Next, pour the filling into the cooled tart shell and smooth the top with a spatula. Refrigerate the tart for at least 1 hour.
- To make the fruit topping, arrange the sliced fruit on top of the chilled filling. In a small bowl, mix the apricot jam and water. Microwave for 30 seconds or until melted. Then, using a pastry brush, brush the melted jam over the fruit to glaze.
- If you don’t have a microwave, you can heat the apricot jam and water in a small saucepan on medium heat.
- Finally, chill the tart for at least another 30 minutes before serving. Slice up and enjoy!
This vegan fruit tart is delicious and satisfying on its own, but you can also serve it with vegan cream, vegan vanilla ice cream, or extra fresh berries on the side.
With its refreshing fruit toppings and light crispy crust, this vegan fruit tart is a refreshing and healthy summer dessert for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, a pool party, or just lounging on the beach with friends, this dairy-free, egg-free tart is sure to impress!
