There are few things I enjoy more than a beautifully made fruit tart. A Raspberry and Blackberry Tart has everything I want from a dessert, it looks inviting, tastes wonderfully fresh and offers a lovely contrast of textures. Best of all, it becomes even more refreshing when served chilled.
I love the combination of raspberries and blackberries. Both fruits bring plenty of flavour, yet they have different personalities. Raspberries provide a delicate sweetness with a gentle sharpness. Blackberries offer a deeper berry flavour and a little more natural sweetness. Together, they create a filling that tastes bright and wonderfully fruity.
The pastry provides the perfect foundation. A crisp, buttery pastry case gives every bite a satisfying texture. Meanwhile, the soft berries create a delicious contrast. Depending on the recipe, you can also add a smooth layer of custard, cream or frangipane beneath the fruit. This adds richness without hiding the fresh berry flavour.
One of the great things about this tart is its appearance. The deep colours of the berries make the dessert look special without requiring complicated decoration. I like to arrange some of the fruit neatly over the surface. A light dusting of icing sugar can then finish it beautifully.
However, the tart does not need to look perfect. Part of its charm comes from its homemade appearance. A few berries that have softened during baking can actually make it look even more tempting. After all, this is the sort of dessert that should make people want to grab a fork.
Chilling the tart makes a noticeable difference. Once it has cooled completely, place it in the refrigerator before serving. The pastry firms up while the fruit filling becomes wonderfully refreshing. On a warm day, that chilled texture makes every mouthful particularly enjoyable.
I also like serving a slice with a little cream. Vanilla ice cream works beautifully too, especially if the tart still has a slight warmth from the oven. For a lighter finish, try natural yoghurt or crème fraîche. Each option brings something different to the dessert.
There are plenty of other fruit combinations that can work in the same way. Strawberries and raspberries create a softer, sweeter berry tart. Blueberries and blackberries give a deeper and slightly more intense flavour. Meanwhile, cherries and raspberries provide a wonderful balance of sweetness and acidity.
If you prefer something less traditional, try peaches and raspberries. Apricots and blueberries are another excellent pairing. Apples and blackberries also work particularly well, especially during the cooler months. For something wonderfully colourful, try pears with raspberries or plums with blackberries.
You can even change the fruit according to the season. Summer berries make the tart feel light and refreshing. Autumn fruits give it a warmer, richer character. This flexibility makes the basic idea incredibly useful for home bakers.
For me, though, raspberry and blackberry remains the winning combination. The colours look fantastic, the flavours complement each other, and the tart feels both indulgent and refreshing. It is also the sort of dessert that suits almost any occasion.
Serve it after a family Sunday lunch, take it along to a gathering, or simply keep a slice in the fridge for later. I have always believed that the best desserts do not need to be complicated. They simply need good ingredients and plenty of flavour.
A chilled Raspberry and Blackberry Tart delivers exactly that. It combines crisp pastry, juicy berries and a refreshing fruity character in one irresistible dessert. As a dessert lover, that is more than enough reason to make one.
Raspberry and Blackcurrant Tart
Equipment
- 23cm loose-bottomed tart tin or small individual tins
- baking beans or dried pulses
Ingredients
Pastry Ingredients:
- 200 g plain flour
- 100 g unsalted butter cold cubed
- 50 g icing sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 tbsp cold water
Filling Ingredients:
- 300 ml double cream
- 100 ml whole milk
- 3 large egg yolks
- 75 g caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp cornflour
Fruit Ingredients:
- 200 g fresh raspberries
- 200 g fresh blackberries
- 1 tbsp icing sugar for dusting
Instructions
Making the Pastry:
- Place the flour and icing sugar into a large mixing bowl. Add the cold butter and rub it into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.200 g plain flour, 50 g icing sugar, 100 g unsalted butter
- Add the egg yolk and mix gently. Add a little cold water if needed until the mixture comes together into a soft dough.1 large egg yolk, 2 tbsp cold water
- Do not overwork the pastry. Shape it into a disc, wrap it, and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
Preparing the Tart Case:
- Lightly grease a 23cm tart tin. Roll the chilled pastry out on a lightly floured surface until it is slightly larger than the tin.
- Carefully lower the pastry into the tin. Press it gently into the base and sides without stretching it.
- Trim away any excess pastry. Prick the base several times with a fork.
- Place a sheet of baking parchment over the pastry. Fill with baking beans or dried pulses.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C, 170°C fan, or Gas Mark 5 for 15 minutes.
- Remove the parchment and baking beans. Return the pastry to the oven for another 8–10 minutes. The base should look lightly golden and feel dry.
- Allow the pastry case to cool completely.
Make the Filling:
- Pour the cream and milk into a saucepan. Heat gently until hot but do not allow the mixture to boil.300 ml double cream, 100 ml whole milk
- Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks, caster sugar and cornflour together in a bowl. Continue whisking until smooth.3 large egg yolks, 75 g caster sugar, 1 tbsp cornflour
- Gradually pour the hot cream mixture into the egg mixture while whisking constantly.
- Return everything to the saucepan. Cook gently over a low to medium heat while stirring continuously.
- The mixture will gradually thicken into a smooth custard. Do not let it boil, as this can cause the eggs to scramble.
- Remove from the heat and stir through the vanilla extract.1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pour the custard through a fine sieve into a clean bowl. This removes any small lumps and leaves you with a beautifully smooth filling.
- Allow it to cool for several minutes.
Assemble the Tart:
- Pour the warm custard into the cooled pastry case. Spread it gently into an even layer.
- Arrange the raspberries and blackberries over the surface. You can scatter them casually or arrange them in neat circles, depending on the appearance you prefer.200 g fresh raspberries, 200 g fresh blackberries
- Do not press the fruit too deeply into the custard. Keeping some of the berries visible gives the tart its wonderful appearance.
- Allow the tart to cool completely before covering it loosely and placing it in the refrigerator.
Chill and Serve:
- Chill the tart for at least 1 hour before serving. For an even firmer filling and a particularly refreshing dessert, you can chill it for several hours.
- Just before serving, dust lightly with icing sugar.1 tbsp icing sugar
- Cut into wedges using a sharp knife and serve chilled.