This Summer Berry Tart with Lemon Mascarpone Cream is supermodel gorgeous, rich and creamy, balanced by the bright citrusy flavor of lemon curd. And super-duper easy to make!
Prep Time25 minutesmins
Cook Time10 minutesmins
Total Time35 minutesmins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: berries, colorful, Summer
Servings: 6-8
Calories: 721kcal
Author: Emily Clifton - Nerds with Knives
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Equipment
9 1/2-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom or equivalent pie dish
Ingredients
For the Crust
7ozwhole graham crackers(12 crackers)
6tablespoonsunsalted buttermelted
3tablespoonsbrown sugar
1/4teaspoonfine sea salt
For the Mascarpone Filling
¾cupwhipping cream
8ouncemascarpone cheese
4ouncescream cheeseroom temperature
2tablespoonspowdered sugar
1/2cuplemon curdhome-made or store bought (120ml)
1teaspoonlemon zestfrom half a lemon
2-3teaspoonslemon juiceoptional, to taste
For the Berry Topping
1pintstrawberrieshulled and sliced or halved
1/2pintraspberries
Mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
For the crust:
Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F
Place the crackers in the bowl of a food processor and process until fine crumbs form. Add the salt, sugar and melted butter and process again until well combined.
Place the crumbs into the tart pan and evenly spread the crumbs so that they cover the bottom of the pan and sides. Press down on the bottom firmly to make a compact layer. Use your fingers to pinch and press some of the crumbs around the inside edge of the pan to cover the sides evenly and create a rim about a 1/4 inch thick. Bake the crust until it’s golden brown and smells nutty, about 10 minutes. Set the baked crust on a rack and let cool. Note: The crust can be made up to a day ahead and stored at room temperature, wrapped well in plastic.
For the Lemon Mascarpone filling:
Beat the cream and cream cheese together on high speed with a hand mixer or a stand mixer until soft and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the softened mascarpone cheese and powdered sugar and beat on medium speed until mixed well (don’t over-beat, mascarpone can separate). Add the lemon curd and lemon zest and mix on low until just combined. Taste and if you want more tartness, add the lemon juice.
Pour the cream mixture into the cooled tart crust and level it with an offset spatula or butter knife. Chill for at least 3 hours (overnight is fine too). Top the tart with the berries and garnish with mint leaves if desired. Serve chilled (I like to take it out of the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving).