Skip to main content

Summer Fruit Tart with Lavender Syrup

If fresh lavender is not available, you can use another fresh herb, such as rosemary or thyme. Half of a vanilla bean also works well.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes one 14-by-4-inch tart

Ingredients

All-purpose flour, for dusting
Tart Dough (page 224)
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup loosely packed fresh lavender leaves (or dried organic lavender)
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup heavy cream
Pastry Cream (page 392)
1/2 small ripe Charentais melon, peeled and thinly sliced
10 small fresh strawberries, halved
1/2 pint fresh blackberries
1/2 pint fresh blueberries

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    On a well-floured surface, roll out dough to a 16-by-6-inch rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick. With a dry pastry brush, sweep off excess flour; fit dough into a 14-by-4-inch rectangular tart pan with a removable bottom, pressing into corners. Using a rolling pin or a sharp paring knife, trim dough flush with top edge of pan. Prick the bottom of the dough all over with a fork. Chill tart shell until firm, about 30 minutes.

    Step 2

    Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line the chilled tart shell with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until edges are golden, 15 to 17 minutes. Remove parchment and weights. Return to oven; continue baking until golden brown all over, about 20 minutes more. Cool completely on a wire rack.

    Step 3

    In a small saucepan, combine sugar with 1/4 cup water, lavender, and lemon juice. Bring mixture to a boil, then turn off heat. Set aside to steep, covered, for 20 minutes. Strain syrup into a bowl and set aside to cool.

    Step 4

    In an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Using a rubber spatula, fold whipped cream into 1 1/2 cups of Pastry Cream until combined; pour into the tart shell. Arrange fruit on top of cream. Using a pastry brush, gently brush lavender syrup over fruit. Serve immediately.

Reprinted with permission from Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook by Martha Stewart. © 2005 Clarkson Potter
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
Saucy, soy-honey salmon—cut into cubes to speed up the cooking process—makes a savory topping for a quick weeknight bowl.
This vibrant cilantro pesto recipe blends blanched herbs, Cotija cheese, garlic, and toasted pepitas. Toss with pasta for a fresh and bold spaghetti pesto.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
These decadent brownies feature a sweet, minty topping complemented by a rich dark chocolate ganache and mini chocolate chips for added texture.
Juicy peak-season tomatoes make the perfect plant-based swap for aguachile.
This summery sheet-pan dinner celebrates the bounty of the season and couldn't be simpler to make. Chorizo plays nicely with the salad, thanks to its spice.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.