Mixed Berry Custard Tart – Simple Ratios

On Mother’s Day we went over to our friends Erik and Jen’s for some grilling.  It was a beautiful, sunny day in Chicago and we offered to bring some dessert.  No idea why since I’m not much of a baker.  Well not much of cake baker at least.  If I had to rank my dessert making skills I’d say I make pies the best with cakes way down on the list.  Tarts are somewhere in the middle since they’re pie-like but require some extra ingredients.  That said, I really can’t believe how simple it was to make this delicious tart.  Minimal ingredients and minimal time.

Previously I’ve written on how I think Michael Ruhlman’s Ratio is a book/tool everyone who cooks should have, and this sweet treat is a perfect example of why.  I know the whole idea of boiling down cooking (reducing even) to simple ratios can be hard to swallow (groan) but they work well and give a good foundation to build on.  Start with simple things and slowly build upon them as you get comfortable with the ratios.  With this tart I used two ratios from the book: 3:2:1 pie dough and 2:1 custard.  Could it be any simpler?  And here’s the ingredients: flour, butter, water, eggs, cream, sugar, berries.  Simple.

The actual prep time is very little.  Make the dough, mix the custard, combine.  All will probably take you 15 minutes.  The wait is of course in the baking part but as you may have heard, all good things come to those who wait.  And this tart delivers!

As we really get into spring here in Chicago and inch our way towards summer this is a perfect dessert for a warm, sunny day.  Give it a go for your next Sunday dinner.

Mixed Berry Custard Tart

For the Dough

• 6 oz flour
• 4 oz butter
• 2 oz cold water
• Pinch of salt

Add the salt to the flour.  Mix in the butter with your fingers until pea sized lumps form.  Add some water and mix well.  The dough will get sticky but eventually come together.  Wrap in plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for at least a half an hour.

Preheat the oven to 325°F.  On a generously floured surface roll out the dough into a 9” round.  Place into a fluted tart pan (or springform pan or pie plate) and press the sides, making a lip of about an inch or more.

Place some parchment paper or aluminum foil on top of the dough in the bottom of the pan and place pie weights, beans, or rice on top the foil/paper.  Place in oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.  Remove the pie weights/beans/rice and foil/paper.  Continue to bake for another 10 minutes.

For the custard

• 1 ½ C cream (12 oz)
• 3 large eggs (6 oz)
• ⅓ C sugar
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract

In a large bowl whisk together all ingredients.

Assemble and bake your tart

• 4 oz of raspberries
• 4 oz of blackberries
• Blind baked tart shell
• Custard mix

Arrange the berries in the empty tart shell.  Pour the custard over the berries into the shell.  Make sure the berries are evenly spaced.

Put the tart into the 325°F oven and bake for 50-60 minutes until the custard is set and a toothpick comes out clean.  Allow to cool, slice and serve.