Hotel de Ville Fresh Fruit Tart with Citrus Custard
A delicate tart shell filled with a light vanilla custard and topped with a colorful array of seasonal fruits for an elegant dessert. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 30 minutes layers pre-baked tart shell, heavy cream, granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 pre-baked tart shell
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup strawberries
- 1/4 cup blueberries
- 1/4 cup kiwi
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tbsp cornstarch, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract until thickened and coating the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
- Step 2: Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes; pour into the pre-baked tart shell, spreading evenly with a spatula.
- Step 3: Arrange 1/4 cup sliced strawberries, 1/4 cup blueberries, and 1/4 cup sliced kiwi on top of the custard; drizzle with 1 tbsp lemon juice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hotel de Ville Fresh Fruit Tart with Citrus Custard take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Hotel de Ville Fresh Fruit Tart with Citrus Custard?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hotel de Ville Fresh Fruit Tart with Citrus Custard?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Hotel de Ville Fresh Fruit Tart with Citrus Custard for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Hotel de Ville Fresh Fruit Tart with Citrus Custard?
French desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better desserts dishes though.
