Passionfruit Tart Recipe

Introduction

Passionfruit Tart is a deliciously tropical dessert that combines a buttery, flaky crust with a smooth, tangy, and slightly sweet passionfruit filling. The vibrant, exotic flavor of passionfruit shines in this tart, making it a stunning and flavorful dessert that will delight any palate. Whether you’re preparing for a special celebration, a holiday gathering, or simply indulging in a treat, this tart is the perfect choice for any occasion.

The tart is visually striking with its golden-yellow filling and often garnished with fresh passionfruit pulp or whipped cream. The smooth, silky filling offers a bright citrusy flavor that perfectly balances the rich, buttery crust. This passionfruit tart is a showstopper at any dessert table and will quickly become a favorite among your friends and family. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of creating the perfect passionfruit tart, provide useful tips to ensure success, and offer variations that you can try to customize the tart to your taste.

Why You’ll Love Passionfruit Tart

• Vibrant and Exotic Flavor: Passionfruit is a tropical fruit that provides a bold and tangy flavor. Its unique taste adds a refreshing citrusy punch that pairs beautifully with the sweet, buttery crust. The combination is both indulgent and light, offering the perfect balance of flavors.
• Buttery, Flaky Crust: The tart crust is made from a shortcrust pastry that is crisp, buttery, and melts in your mouth. Its flaky texture complements the smooth filling, making each bite a harmonious experience.
• Visually Stunning: With its rich golden filling and colorful passionfruit pulp topping, this tart is a true work of art. Its vibrant appearance makes it an eye-catching centerpiece for any event or gathering.
• Simple Ingredients, Elegant Results: Despite its impressive look, this tart is made with simple ingredients that are easy to find. It’s an elegant dessert that doesn’t require advanced baking skills to pull off.
• Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, celebrating a holiday, or just looking for a treat to enjoy at home, this passionfruit tart fits any occasion. Its tropical flavor brings a refreshing twist to classic tart recipes.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (including cooling time)
• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Chilling Time: 1 hour (for the crust)
• Cooking Time: 30-35 minutes (for the crust and filling)
• Servings: Approximately 8 servings
• Calories per Serving: Around 280-320 calories per slice, depending on portion size and specific ingredients.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 280-320 kcal
• Fat: 17-20g
• Carbohydrates: 30-35g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 20-23g

Ingredients

For the Tart Crust:

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2-3 tablespoons ice water (as needed)

For the Passionfruit Filling:

• 1 cup fresh passionfruit pulp (or 4-5 passionfruits)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 large egg yolk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed

Garnish (Optional):

• Fresh passionfruit pulp (from 1-2 additional passionfruits)
• Whipped cream
• Mint leaves (for garnish)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Tart Crust

To make the crust, start by placing the flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a food processor. Pulse to combine. Then add the cold, cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with pea-sized pieces of butter still visible. This will help achieve a flaky texture for the crust.

Next, add the egg yolk to the mixture and pulse again to combine. Gradually add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, pulsing between each addition, until the dough starts to come together. Be careful not to overwork the dough—just enough to bring it together.

Once the dough has formed, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it a few times to bring it into a smooth ball. Flatten the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the dough to rest and firm up.

2. Roll Out the Dough

After the dough has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes. This will make it easier to roll out. On a floured surface, roll the dough out to about ⅛-inch thickness, being careful not to roll it too thin.

Carefully transfer the dough into a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough into the pan, ensuring that it fits snugly into the edges and corners. Trim any excess dough hanging over the edges. You can crimp the edges to create a decorative finish if desired.

Once the dough is in the pan, place it back in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to chill again. This helps prevent the dough from shrinking during baking.

3. Blind Bake the Crust

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line the chilled tart crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. This step, known as blind baking, will prevent the crust from puffing up during baking.

Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. After this, remove the parchment paper and pie weights and continue to bake for another 5-10 minutes until the bottom of the crust is golden and fully baked. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t overbake. Remove from the oven and let the crust cool completely on a wire rack.

4. Make the Passionfruit Filling

While the crust is cooling, prepare the passionfruit filling. Start by scooping the pulp from fresh passionfruits into a small saucepan. You’ll need about 1 cup of passionfruit pulp. If using store-bought passionfruit pulp, measure out 1 cup.

Add the sugar to the saucepan with the passionfruit pulp and heat it over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is warm but not boiling. Remove the saucepan from the heat.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually pour in the warm passionfruit mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from curdling.

Once the egg mixture is fully incorporated, return the saucepan to the heat and cook over low to medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the filling thickens and coats the back of a spoon. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to let the mixture boil, as this can cause it to separate.

Once the filling has thickened, remove it from the heat and stir in the heavy cream and cubed butter. Continue to stir until the butter is fully melted and the mixture is smooth.

5. Fill the Tart Shell

Once the passionfruit filling is ready and smooth, pour it into the cooled tart shell. Use a spatula to spread it evenly across the top. The filling should come to just below the top edge of the crust.

Carefully transfer the tart to the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours, or until the filling has set. The filling should be firm and smooth, with a glossy finish.

6. Garnish and Serve

Once the tart has set, it’s time to garnish. If you like, you can top the tart with fresh passionfruit pulp to add extra flavor and a beautiful contrast in color. A dollop of freshly whipped cream or a few sprigs of mint leaves can add an elegant touch.

Slice the tart into wedges and serve. The buttery, flaky crust pairs beautifully with the tangy, tropical filling, making each bite a delightful experience.

Tips for Perfect Passionfruit Tart

• Use Fresh Passionfruit: While store-bought passionfruit pulp is convenient, using fresh passionfruits will give you the best flavor and texture for the tart. Make sure the passionfruits are ripe before scooping out the pulp.
• Don’t Overwork the Dough: When making the tart crust, handle the dough as little as possible. Overworking it can make the crust tough rather than tender and flaky.
• Chill the Dough and Crust: Chilling the dough before rolling it out and chilling the crust after placing it in the tart pan will help prevent shrinkage during baking and give you a crisp, flaky crust.
• Watch the Filling: When making the passionfruit filling, make sure the mixture doesn’t boil. If it gets too hot, it may separate or curdle. Stir constantly to ensure the filling thickens evenly.
• Let the Tart Set: Allow the tart to chill completely in the refrigerator so the filling can set properly. It will slice more neatly and hold its shape when served.

Variations of Passionfruit Tart

• Passionfruit Lime Tart: Add a tablespoon of fresh lime juice to the passionfruit filling for a zesty twist. The citrus flavor will enhance the tartness of the passionfruit and add depth to the overall flavor.
• Passionfruit Coconut Tart: Add a tablespoon of coconut milk or shredded coconut to the filling for a tropical coconut-passionfruit combination. You can also top the tart with toasted coconut flakes for extra texture.
• Passionfruit Mango Tart: Mix passionfruit pulp with pureed mango for a sweet, fruity filling. The mango will mellow the tartness of the passionfruit and add a smooth, creamy texture to the filling.
• Chocolate Passionfruit Tart: Add a layer of dark chocolate ganache on the bottom of the tart crust before filling it with the passionfruit filling. The richness of the chocolate pairs beautifully with the tangy passionfruit.

Storage and Shelf Life

Passionfruit Tart is best enjoyed within 1-2 days of making it for the freshest taste and texture. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

The tart crust can also be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 1 month. Simply bake the crust and freeze it before adding the filling.

Side Dishes and Pairings for Passionfruit Tart

While the tart is a stunning standalone dessert, it pairs wonderfully with other dishes as well:

• Fresh Fruit Salad: A light, refreshing fruit salad featuring tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and kiwi complements the richness of the tart.
• Sorbet: Serve the tart with a scoop of lemon or coconut sorbet to enhance its tropical flavors and add a cool contrast.
• Tea or Coffee: A cup of herbal tea, such as chamomile or mint, or a strong coffee can be a great accompaniment to the tart, balancing its sweetness and adding depth to the flavors.

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Conclusion

Passionfruit Tart is a beautiful and vibrant dessert that brings together a perfect balance of rich, buttery crust and tangy, tropical passionfruit filling. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, this tart is an elegant and impressive treat for any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating a special event or simply treating yourself, this passionfruit tart will surely be a showstopper.

Enjoy the bright, refreshing flavors and delicate texture of this tart, and don’t forget to experiment with some of the suggested variations to make it your own. From its beautiful presentation to its unforgettable flavor, this tart is bound to become a favorite in your baking repertoire!