Open Strawberry Tarts bring a lovely touch of summer to any family table. These pretty little desserts look elegant, yet they feel relaxed and welcoming at the same time. Each tart starts with a light and soft flan base that holds a generous layer of vanilla-flavoured whipped cream. Fresh chopped strawberries sit on top, while a small sprig of mint adds colour and freshness. Together, the flavours create a dessert that tastes bright, creamy, and perfect for warm evenings.
One of the best things about these individual tarts is how easy they fit into family gatherings and dinner parties alike. They feel special enough for celebrations, yet they never seem too heavy after a meal. In fact, the soft texture of the base and the freshness of the fruit make them ideal for summer entertaining. Guests often enjoy desserts that feel light, especially after a barbecue or a rich main course.
The tart base also adds to the charm of this dessert. Unlike many chilled pastry desserts, the base does not need refrigeration. As a result, it keeps its soft texture and gentle sweetness without becoming firm or dry. Meanwhile, the strawberries and whipped cream can stay chilled until serving time. That contrast between the cool topping and the soft base creates a lovely balance in every bite.
Fresh strawberries play the starring role here, so choosing ripe fruit makes a big difference. Sweet strawberries add natural flavour and colour, which means the dessert needs very little extra decoration. Their bright red colour also looks beautiful against the pale cream and golden flan base. Furthermore, the mint sprig adds a clean finish that lifts the whole dessert.
These tarts work wonderfully for family occasions because everyone receives their own individual dessert. Children often enjoy having their own small tart, while adults appreciate the neat presentation. In addition, serving individual desserts saves time during dinner parties since there is no slicing or plating at the table. Everything looks tidy and ready to enjoy.
Another reason families love these tarts is their flexibility. You can prepare the cream and strawberries ahead of time, which helps reduce stress before guests arrive. Then, when dessert time comes, you simply assemble the tarts and serve them fresh. This simple approach leaves more time to relax and enjoy the evening with family and friends.
Although these tarts look impressive, they never feel overly complicated. Their beauty comes from fresh ingredients and simple presentation rather than fancy decoration. Consequently, they suit both casual garden meals and more formal summer dinners. They also pair wonderfully with tea, coffee, or a glass of chilled sparkling wine for the adults at the table.
For an extra summer touch, many families like to serve these open strawberry tarts outdoors. The fresh fruit and cool cream feel especially refreshing on warm evenings. A gentle breeze, good conversation, and a plate of strawberry tarts can easily turn an ordinary meal into a memorable occasion.
Open Strawberry Tarts celebrate everything people love about summer desserts. They are fresh, colourful, light and full of flavour. Most importantly, they bring people together around the table in a simple and welcoming way.
Open Strawberry Tart
Equipment
- 6 individual flan tins or tart tins
- Palette knife or spoon
Ingredients
Flan Bases:
- 125 g plain flour
- 75 g caster sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 75 g unsalted butter softened
- 1 medium eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp milk
The Filling:
- 300 ml double cream
- 2 tbsp icing sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
The Topping:
- 250 g fresh strawberries chopped
- 6 sprigs fresh mint
Instructions
Prepare the Oven and Tins:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C fan or 200°C conventional. Grease the individual tart tins lightly with butter.
Make the Flan Batter:
- Add the flour, caster sugar, baking powder and salt to a mixing bowl. Stir well.125 g plain flour, 75 g caster sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 pinch salt
- Next, add the softened butter, egg, vanilla extract and milk. Mix until a smooth and soft batter forms.75 g unsalted butter, 1 medium eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 2 tbsp milk
Fill the Tins:
- Divide the batter evenly between the tart tins. Spread the mixture gently so it rises slightly around the edges to create a small lip for the filling.
Bake the Bases:
- Place the tins onto a baking tray. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the bases turn lightly golden and spring back when touched.
Cool the Bases:
- Remove the tarts from the oven and allow them to cool for 10 minutes in the tins. Then transfer them onto a cooling rack. Do not chill the bases, as they taste best soft and fresh at room temperature.
Prepare the Cream:
- Pour the double cream into a chilled bowl. Add the icing sugar and vanilla extract. Whisk until soft peaks form. Keep the cream chilled until needed.300 ml double cream, 2 tbsp icing sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract
Prepare the Strawberries:
- Wash and chop the strawberries into small pieces. Chill them in the fridge until serving time.250 g fresh strawberries
Assemble the Tarts:
- Spoon or pipe the vanilla cream into the centre of each tart. Top with chopped strawberries and finish with a fresh mint sprig.6 sprigs fresh mint
Serve:
- Serve the tarts straight away for the freshest flavour and texture.
23 comments
These tarts are amazingly simple but so very tasty
I prepared the toppings ahead of time which made serving very easy. Great recipe for entertaining.
I used strawberries from the garden and the flavour was incredible. Perfect dessert for summer weekends.
I liked that the tart bases stayed soft and light. They did not feel heavy at all.
I added a little lemon zest to the cream and it tasted amazing. Such a flexible recipe.
My guests loved the presentation of these individual desserts. They looked neat and professional.
These little tarts looked beautiful on the table and tasted even better. The soft base worked perfectly with the strawberries and cream.
Fresh strawberries and vanilla cream always work well together and this recipe proves it. Everyone enjoyed them.
The whipped cream stayed lovely and smooth and paired beautifully with the fruit. A really pretty dessert.
These tarts felt fancy without being difficult to make. That is exactly the kind of recipe I enjoy.
This recipe was easy to follow and everything turned out perfectly. I will use the flan base again for other fruits too.
The texture of the base was soft and delicate which made the tarts feel very light.
My children loved having their own individual tart. They disappeared very quickly.
These looked like something from a bakery window. I was very pleased with the final result.
The tart bases baked beautifully and held the filling perfectly. A very reliable recipe.
The balance of sweetness was just right. Nothing tasted overly sugary.
The cream filling tasted wonderful with the fresh strawberries. A really lovely summer dessert.
The vanilla cream was light and fluffy without feeling too rich. I will definitely make these again.
I served these with coffee after dinner and they went down very well. The mint gave them a fresh flavour.
Such a simple dessert but it looked very elegant. The strawberries were fresh and juicy.
These were perfect for a warm evening in the garden. Very refreshing and easy to serve.
I made these for a family barbecue and they were a huge success. Cool, fresh, and full of flavour.
I made these for a summer dinner party and everyone asked for the recipe. The mint added a lovely fresh finish.