A fresh berry tart with toasted nut crust is the dessert I make when I want applause for manageable effort. You toast almonds, pecans, and hazelnuts, rub them into a whole-wheat crust with chilled butter and egg yolk, and fill it with a tangy light sour cream and Greek yogurt cream. Berries on top do the rest of the work.
Forget boring, soggy pie crusts! This stunning Fresh Berry Tart is built on a foundation of pure, nutty bliss. We’re talking a rich, crumbly crust made from toasted almonds, pecans, and hazelnuts that’s so good, you’ll want to eat it on its own. It’s the perfect rustic base for a light, tangy cream filling and a vibrant crown of fresh, juicy blueberries and raspberries. It’s elegant, surprisingly simple, and the ultimate way to celebrate berry season.
Ingredients
• For the Toasted Nut Crust
• ¼ cup almonds
• ¼ cup pecans
• ¼ cup hazelnuts
• ¾ cup whole-wheat flour
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 6 Tablespoons (90 ml / 3 fl oz) chilled unsalted butter, diced
• 1 large egg yolk
• For the Creamy Berry Filling
• ½ cup light sour cream
• ½ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 2 Tablespoons (30 ml / 1 fl oz) light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml / 0.2 fl oz) vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1 cup (240 ml) blueberries
• 1 cup (240 ml) raspberries
• 1 Tablespoon (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) orange juice
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom with cooking spray. Spread the almonds, pecans, and hazelnuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until fragrant and lightly browned. Let cool completely.2. In a food processor, pulse the cooled nuts, whole-wheat flour, sugar, and salt until the nuts are finely ground. Add the diced, chilled butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg yolk and pulse just until moist clumps form.3. Press the dough evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared tart pan. Prick the bottom of the crust all over with a fork. Place the pan in the freezer to chill for 30 minutes.4. Adjust the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C). Bake the chilled crust for 12 to 14 minutes, or until it’s firm and golden brown. Let it cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.5. While the crust cools, prepare the filling. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, Greek yogurt, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and orange zest until smooth. In a separate bowl, gently toss the blueberries and raspberries with the orange juice.6. Once the crust is cool, spread the creamy sour cream mixture evenly over the bottom. Carefully arrange the berries over the cream filling. Chill the tart in the refrigerator for at least 30 to 60 minutes before serving to allow it to set.
Nutritional Information
• per serving (serves 8)Calories: 288Protein: 6 gTotal Fat: 19 gSaturated Fat: 9 gCarbohydrates: 26 gCholesterol: 58 mgSodium: 87 mgFiber: 4 gSugar: 13 g (0.46 oz)
Pro Tips
• The baked nut crust can be made up to 3 days ahead. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature until you’re ready to fill and serve.
• Don’t skip freezing the crust before baking. This crucial step solidifies the butter, which helps prevent the sides from slumping down as it bakes.
• Feel free to swap the nuts based on what you have. An equal amount of walnuts or pistachios would also be delicious.
• For the best flavor, use the freshest, in-season berries you can find. Sliced strawberries or blackberries are also great additions.
FAQ
Q: Can I make this fresh berry tart vegan
A: Yes, you can adapt this recipe to be fully plant-based. For the crust, use a chilled, solid plant-based butter substitute and a flax egg (1 tbsp / 15 ml ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp / 45 ml water) instead of the dairy butter and egg yolk. For the filling, use dairy-free sour cream and a plant-based Greek-style yogurt. Ensure your sugar is vegan-certified.
Q: How can I make the nut crust gluten-free
A: To make this tart gluten-free, simply substitute the whole-wheat flour with an equal amount of a 1-to-1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. The toasted nuts provide the primary structure and flavor, so this substitution works beautifully.
Q: Is this vegetarian berry tart a good source of protein
A: For a dessert, this tart provides a good amount of protein, with 6 grams (0.21 oz / 6 g) per serving. The primary vegetarian protein sources are the toasted almonds, pecans, and hazelnuts in the crust and the nonfat Greek yogurt in the creamy filling, making it a more satisfying treat.
Q: How should I store this vegetarian berry tart
A: The baked, unfilled nut crust can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Once assembled with the cream filling and berries, the tart must be stored, covered, in the refrigerator. It is best enjoyed within 24-48 hours to keep the crust crisp.
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Fresh Berry Tart with Toasted Nut Crust
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom with cooking spray.
- Spread the almonds, pecans, and hazelnuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until fragrant and lightly browned.
- Let cool completely. 2.
- In a food processor, pulse the cooled nuts, whole-wheat flour, sugar, and salt until the nuts are finely ground.
- Add the diced, chilled butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the egg yolk and pulse just until moist clumps form. 3. Press the dough evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared tart pan. Prick the bottom of the crust all over with a fork.
- Place the pan in the freezer to chill for 30 minutes. 4.
- Adjust the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
- Bake the chilled crust for 12 to 14 minutes, or until it's firm and golden brown.
- Let it cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. 5.
- While the crust cools, prepare the filling.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, Greek yogurt, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and orange zest until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, gently toss the blueberries and raspberries with the orange juice. 6.
- Once the crust is cool, spread the creamy sour cream mixture evenly over the bottom. Carefully arrange the berries over the cream filling.
- Chill the tart in the refrigerator for at least 30 to 60 minutes before serving to allow it to set.
- Don't skip freezing the crust before baking. This crucial step solidifies the butter, which helps prevent the sides from slumping down as it bakes.
