Description
Indulge in the delightful Rhubarb Cream Tart with Strawberry Meringue, a dessert that beautifully balances the tartness of fresh rhubarb and the sweetness of airy strawberry meringue. This elegant treat features a buttery pâte sucrée crust filled with creamy vanilla pastry cream and topped with vibrant pink meringue. Perfect for spring gatherings or as a refreshing finale to any meal, this recipe is not only visually stunning but also simple enough for bakers of all levels. With each slice, you’ll enjoy layers of flavor and texture that are sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup + 2 tbsp powdered sugar (sifted)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened but still chilled)
- 1 egg
- 454g (1lb) fresh rhubarb (coarsely chopped)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 4 tbsp water (divided)
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1¼ cup half and half
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1½ tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp cold unsalted butter (cut into cubes)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- 22g (1oz) freeze-dried strawberries (blitz into a powder)
- 4 egg whites (room temperature)
- ½ tsp cream of tartar
- Lilac blossoms or candied violets (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the crust by mixing flour, powdered sugar, salt, and softened butter until crumbly. Stir in the egg and form dough; chill for 30 minutes before rolling out and placing in a tart pan.
- Pre-bake the crust at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes until golden.
- Make the rhubarb filling by cooking chopped rhubarb with sugar and water until soft; thicken with cornstarch mixture.
- Prepare vanilla pastry cream by whisking half and half with sugar and egg yolks over medium heat until thickened; stir in butter.
- Assemble by spreading pastry cream over the cooled crust followed by stewed rhubarb.
- For meringue, whip egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form; gradually add sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold in freeze-dried strawberry powder.
- Spread meringue over assembled tart and toast lightly with a kitchen torch if desired.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (100g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg