These Strawberry Honey Custard Tarts with Lemon Curd are the perfect spring dessert. Made with a flaky, buttery homemade crust, they’re filled with a lightly sweetened honey-yogurt custard and juicy fresh strawberries. Each tart is topped with a tangy, bright lemon curd drizzle that cuts the richness and enhances the fresh fruit flavors. Ideal for Easter brunch, afternoon tea, or any special spring gathering.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Crust:

1¾ cups flour
¾ tsp sea salt
1½ tsp sugar
½ cup chilled butter, cubed
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup + 2 tbsp cold water

For the Filling:

2 cups strawberries, sliced
1 cup vanilla yogurt
1 tbsp honey
2 eggs
3 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Lemon Curd:

3 eggs
½ cup lemon juice
1 cup sugar
¼ cup lemon zest (about 2 lemons)
6 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
Pinch of coarse salt

Directions

Make the Lemon Curd:

In a saucepan over low heat, whisk together butter, sugar, lemon juice, zest, and salt.
Add eggs one at a time, whisking after each addition.
Cook for 8–9 minutes, whisking frequently, until thickened.
Remove from heat and chill completely before using.

Make the Crust:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in butter until pea-sized crumbs form.
Stir in vanilla and cold water until dough clumps together.
Turn out onto a floured surface and form into a ball. Divide into four discs. Wrap and chill for 15–60 minutes.
Roll each disc into 5-inch circles and fit into 4-inch tart pans. Prick bottoms with a fork.
Line with parchment and baking beans. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove paper and beans; cool completely.

Assemble the Tarts:

Whisk eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir in yogurt and honey.
Add sliced strawberries to the tart shells. Pour custard filling over them.
Bake for 30–35 minutes until set and crust is golden.
Cool for 5 minutes. Drizzle with lemon curd and serve.

Note: To make one large tart, use a 12-inch tart pan and bake for 40–45 minutes.

Nutrients (Per tart, estimated for 4 servings)

Calories: ~480 kcal
Fat: ~25g
Saturated Fat: ~15g
Carbohydrates: ~55g
Sugar: ~30g
Fiber: ~2g
Protein: ~7g
Sodium: ~200mg
Vitamin C: High (from strawberries and lemon)

A Rustic yet Refined Tart Crust

The foundation of these delightful tarts is a flaky and tender tart crust, made from a simple blend of flour, butter, sugar, and a splash of vanilla. What sets it apart is the balance between rich, buttery flavor and a crisp, delicate bite. Unlike store-bought crusts, this one carries subtle sweetness and a homemade texture that enhances the overall experience of the tart. The dough is rolled out and pressed into tart pans, ensuring each shell cradles its custard filling without becoming soggy or overly firm. The addition of cold water and the chilling process are key steps that create a tender, pastry-like finish with golden, crisp edges.

Creamy Honey Yogurt Custard

At the heart of each tart lies the creamy honey custard, enriched with yogurt for a light and tangy twist. This custard is a delightful departure from heavier, egg-based custards often used in desserts. It’s sweetened gently with honey, allowing the natural richness of the yogurt and the aromatic vanilla to shine through. The combination of yogurt and eggs gives the custard a velvety smoothness, while also maintaining enough structure to hold the sliced strawberries in place during baking. The result is a creamy, pudding-like layer that contrasts beautifully with the crisp crust and juicy fruit.

Fresh Strawberries: The Star Ingredient

Few fruits say “spring” like strawberries. In these tarts, fresh strawberries are layered generously over the custard base, adding a burst of natural sweetness and a vibrant pop of color. Their slight acidity balances the sweetness of the custard and crust, creating a flavor profile that’s both lively and comforting. As the tarts bake, the strawberries soften slightly, releasing their juices into the custard for added depth of flavor. You can use a combination of sliced and halved berries for visual appeal and texture variation, but the key is selecting ripe, in-season fruit for the best taste and appearance.

The Zing of Homemade Lemon Curd

What truly sets this recipe apart is the homemade lemon curd drizzle—a bright, tangy counterpoint to the mellow sweetness of the custard. Made with fresh lemon juice and zest, eggs, sugar, and butter, the lemon curd is thick, glossy, and full of citrusy punch. It brings a burst of sunshine to every bite, cutting through the richness of the custard and pairing beautifully with the strawberries. Drizzling the curd over the cooled tarts not only adds flavor but also enhances the presentation with a glossy finish and a hint of golden color. If you’re making these tarts ahead of time, keep the curd chilled and drizzle just before serving for maximum impact.

A Dessert Fit for Any Occasion

These tarts are incredibly versatile, making them ideal for a variety of occasions. Their elegant appearance makes them a showstopper at brunches, bridal showers, or spring holidays like Easter and Mother’s Day. At the same time, their simplicity and ease of preparation make them equally suited for a casual family dessert. You can serve them as individual tarts for a more refined presentation, or bake the filling into one large tart pan for a rustic, communal dessert that’s perfect for slicing and sharing.

For a more decadent twist, serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. You can also play with seasonal variations—use blueberries or raspberries in place of strawberries, or try an orange curd if lemons aren’t available. The tart shell can also be flavored with almond extract or citrus zest for added nuance.

Healthier Yet Indulgent

Though these tarts are rich and satisfying, they offer a lighter profile compared to traditional custard tarts. Yogurt replaces cream in the custard, reducing the overall fat content while adding protein and probiotics. Honey, used as a natural sweetener, contributes a mild floral sweetness without overwhelming the dish. The fruit content ensures a healthy dose of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants—especially from the strawberries and lemons. While they still fall into the category of indulgent desserts, they offer a more balanced option for those seeking something special yet not overly heavy.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

These tarts can be made ahead of time, making them a host’s best friend. You can prepare the tart shells and lemon curd a day or two in advance and store them in the fridge. Bake the assembled tarts the morning of your event and allow them to cool before topping with lemon curd. The finished tarts will hold well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, though they’re best served fresh for the ideal texture.

To save time, the tart dough can even be frozen and rolled out directly from the freezer. If you’re short on time or ingredients, a high-quality store-bought tart shell or lemon curd can work in a pinch, but nothing compares to the depth of flavor achieved when everything is made from scratch.

Presentation Tips

Presentation is key when serving a dessert as beautiful as these. Once baked and cooled, dust the tarts lightly with powdered sugar for a classic patisserie touch. Add a mint leaf or a thin lemon slice on top for a fresh garnish. You can even drizzle the lemon curd in a zigzag pattern for a modern finish or pool it delicately on the side of the plate. For a truly special occasion, plate with a berry coulis or serve with a small glass of sparkling wine to complement the citrusy brightness of the dish.

Conclusion

These Strawberry Honey Custard Tarts with Lemon Curd are a celebration of spring’s finest ingredients—ripe berries, bright citrus, and fragrant vanilla. Each tart brings together a buttery crust, a light and creamy filling, and fresh fruit in a way that feels both nostalgic and new. They’re the kind of dessert that invites admiration and joy, perfect for sharing with loved ones or simply treating yourself to something beautiful and delicious.

By combining approachable ingredients with classic techniques, this recipe proves that you don’t need complicated methods or fancy tools to create something stunning. With just a bit of care and creativity, you can bring bakery-quality results to your own kitchen and make any gathering feel extra special.

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