EmilyFabulous

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Easy Dinner Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Sweet Baked Goods
    • Instant Pot & Air Fryer Recipes
      • Instant Pot Recipes
      • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Homemade Syrups, Condiments, Sauces, etc.
  • Cocktails
    • Gin
    • Vodka
    • Tequila
    • Whiskey/Bourbon
    • Brandy/Pisco
  • Holiday Recipes
    • Christmas Recipes
    • Thanksgiving Recipes
    • Halloween Recipes
    • Patriotic Recipes
    • Valentine's Day Recipes
    • Easter Recipes
    • St. Patrick's Day Recipes
  • Easy Recipes, Cocktail Inspiration, and a little bit of fun!
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Appetizers & Salads
  • Recipes
  • Cocktails
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Emily Fabulous » Recipes » Desserts

    Fresh Cherry Tart Recipe

    Published: Jan 10, 2020 · Modified: Jul 16, 2023 by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links · 31 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    cherry tart.
    cherry tart pin.

    This Fresh Cherry Tart Recipe is beautiful and delicious and perfect for your next party or special occasion. You won't regret making this impressive and tasty treat!

    cherry tart on a cake palate

    So by now, you have probably heard me talk about the copious amounts of cherries we purchase every summer and I was determined to use them all. But, to be honest, I had no idea what to make until I started seeing cherry tart recipes.

    I adapted this recipe from Martha Stewart, and the result was pretty impressive if I do say so myself. This recipe does take some time and has quite a few steps, but the result is worth it, I promise!

    Jump to:
    • Why I Love This Recipe
    • What Steps Can Be Done Ahead of Time?
    • How to Make a Cherry Tart
    • Expert Tips For This Recipe
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Fresh Cherry Tart Recipe

    Why I Love This Recipe

    I love this recipe for its vibrant color and perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors just like my Pink Grapefruit Dessert Bars. Fresh cherries pair perfectly with the sweet pastry cream and flaky crust.

    Preparing this recipe is a true culinary experience right at home. The result of the steps in this recipe creates a stunning dessert that impresses both guests and loved ones, like my Strawberry Ice Cream Cheesecake, making it a cherished go-to option for any occasion.

    This Fresh Cherry Tart Recipe will make you feel like you can make anything in the kitchen! There are several steps in this cherry tart recipe but they flow pretty easily.

    What Steps Can Be Done Ahead of Time?

    This Fresh Cherry Tart Recipe has quite a few steps and takes some time, but don't run away yet. Most of the time in this recipe is spent chilling things in the fridge or freezer.

    Here are a few things you can do the day before or even a few days before so it won't be so overwhelming (or you can be like me and do it all in one day!).

    • Make the crust dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to roll it out.
    • You could also make and bake the crust, leave it in the fridge, and have it ready for the next day.
    • Make the pastry cream and/or the whipped cream ahead of time and chill in the fridge.
    • Make the cherry syrup ahead of time. Not only is this the easiest step, but you can also use the cherry syrup for other things like desserts and cocktails!

    How to Make a Cherry Tart

    cherries in a pan for cherry syrup.

    Step 1: Cook the syrup ingredients over medium heat, mashing the cherries until boiling. Boil for 1 minute, mash again, then cool. Strain and refrigerate until needed.

    cherry tart crust dough.

    Step 2: Mix flour, sugar, and salt, then cut in butter until crumbly. Add ice water and egg yolks to form a sticky dough. Roll into a ball, divide in half, shape into discs, wrap, and chill for 1 hour.

    tart crust pre-bake.

    Step 3: Roll the dough to a 12-inch round, ¼ inch thick, and press it into a tart pan. Freeze for 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Pierce the crust with a fork before baking.

    baked tart crust.

    Step 4: Place parchment paper on the crust, then add pie weights or something heavy. Bake for 20 minutes, remove the paper and weights, and bake for another 10-12 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

    cherry tart cream in pan after boiling.

    Step 5: Whisk sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan. In another bowl, whisk milk and egg yolks, then add to the saucepan. Cook over medium heat until boiling, then remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla.

    cherry tart cream in a bowl with plastic wrap for chilling.

    Step 6: Place the pastry cream in a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface of the pastry cream to prevent skin from forming. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours.

    whipped cream in a bowl.

    Step 7: Beat cold whipping cream until stiff peaks form, about 4-5 minutes. Fold into the pastry cream and refrigerate again until ready to assemble the tart.

    cherries cut for cherry tart.

    Step 8: Remove the pits from each of the rinsed fresh cherries using a cherry pitter or straw. Cut each cherry in half until you have enough to fill the top of the tart (about 40-50 cherries).

    tart shell with tart cream.

    Step 9: Remove the tart shell and pastry cream from the fridge and fill the crust with the cream just to the top edge of the shell.

    tart shell with cream and sliced cherries.

    Step 10: Arrange the cherries on top and then carefully pour the cherry syrup on top. Chill one more time for at least an hour before serving.

    cherry tart with cherry sauce

    Expert Tips For This Recipe

    • Arrange cherries creatively: When placing the cherries on the tart, consider arranging them in a pattern or concentric circles to create an appealing and eye-catching presentation.
    • Serve chilled: For the best taste and texture, serve the pastry cream tart with cherries chilled. Refrigerate the assembled tart for at least an hour before serving.
    • Add a garnish: Before serving, consider adding a few fresh mint leaves as a garnish. The bright green color and refreshing flavor of the mint complement the cherries and pastry cream beautifully.
    • This recipe makes quite a bit of syrup, but don't worry, there are so many options on how to use it including adding it to cocktails, drizzling over ice cream, or adding a punch to waffles or pancakes.
    • The tart crust is versatile—use it for tarts filled with chocolate ganache, mousse, or cut-out shapes to make buttery cookies.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can This Tart Be Made with Other Fruit?

    Absolutely! If you don't have cherries, you could always use blueberries or raspberries or whatever fruit you like. That's what's great about fruit recipes, they are usually pretty versatile.

    Can I use Frozen or Canned Cherries?

    It wouldn't be my first choice and the presentation would not be the same if you used canned or frozen cherries. Using fresh cherries ensures they are full of flavor and nice and firm.
    Canned cherries don't have the same structure. However, if you want to make this beautiful dessert for the holidays or don't have fresh cherries, frozen or canned cherries will work in a pinch.

    How To Store a Pastry Cream Tart?

    Store any leftover cherry tart tightly covered with plastic wrap or in a sealable container in the fridge for 1-2 days.

    If you get a chance to make this Cherry Tart Recipe, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes in your inbox.

    cherry tart on a cake palate

    Fresh Cherry Tart Recipe

    An impressive and delicious Fresh Cherry Tart that tastes as good as it looks!
    4.93 from 64 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Recipe Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time: 1 hour hour
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    chill time: 3 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 hours hours
    Servings: 10 slices
    Calories: 330kcal
    Author: Emily
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • 9-12 inch tart pan
    • pie crust weights or beans
    • cherry pitter (optional)
    • medium saucepan
    • Rolling Pin
    • mesh seive

    Ingredients

    Cherry Syrup

    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 2 cups cherries, pitted

    Sweet Shortcrust Pastry Crust

    • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • ⅓ cup sugar
    • 1 pinch kosher salt
    • 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces (2 sticks)
    • ¼ cup ice-cold water
    • 3 large egg yolks, beaten

    Pastry Cream and Cherry Topping

    • ½ cup sugar
    • ¼ cup cornstarch
    • 1 pinch kosher salt
    • 2 cups whole milk
    • 4 large egg yolks
    • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ cup heavy whipping cream, cold
    • 3 cups cherries, pitted and cut in half

    Instructions

    Cherry Syrup

    • Add water, sugar, and cherries into a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring and smashing cherries until boiling. Boil for 1 minute and then remove the pan from the heat.
    • Smash the cherries a little more to release the juices and then allow the mixture to cool completely. Once cooled, strain the cherries from the syrup place the syrup into the refrigerator until ready to use.

    Crust

    • Place the flour, sugar, and salt into a bowl and stir to combine. Add butter pieces and incorporate them with a pastry cutter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Add the ice water a little at a time, mixing in each time until all of the water is incorporated. Add the egg yolks last, and mix in until you have a wet, sticky dough.
    • Place the dough on a floured surface and roll it into a ball. Divide the dough in half and pat each half into round discs. Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour.
    • Once chilled, place the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Roll it out to about a 12-inch round that is about ¼ inch thick (it doesn't have to be perfect because you will cut off the excess).
    • Gently place the rolled-out dough onto your tart pan and pat it into place using your fingers. Form around the edges and use your fingers to push the excess dough off using the sharp edges.
    • Place the tart pan in the freezer for 15 minutes. While the crust is in the freezer, preheat the oven to 375°F. After 15 minutes, remove the crust from the freezer and pierce it all over with a fork to ensure the crust doesn't bubble while cooking.
    • Place a piece of parchment paper on top of the crust (about 2-3 inches overhang all around). Fill the bottom with pie weights or something heavy. I do not have pie weights so I used some beans that had been in my pantry forever (do not eat after using them as weights).
    • Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the parchment paper and weights and bake for an additional 10 to 12 minutes. Place the tart pan with the crust on a wire rack to cool.

    Pastry Cream

    • Place the sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan and whisk together. Add the milk and the egg yolks into another bowl and whisk together and then add to the saucepan.
    • Turn on the heat to medium and add the butter to the saucepan. Continue cooking and whisking until the mixture comes to a boil. This happens very quickly and turns into a thick cream.
    • Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Place the pastry cream in a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface of the pastry cream to prevent skin from forming. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours.
    • Pour cold whipping cream into a mixing bowl and beat with a hand mixer until you get stiff peaks, about 4-5 minutes. Once the pastry cream has cooled, whisk it one more time to get the mixture nice and creamy, and then fold the whipped cream in with a spatula.
    • Add the pastry cream to the tart shell, leaving about ¼" of space to the top of the crust edge.
    • Slice the remaining cherries and place them on top of pastry cream until the entire surface is covered.
    • Carefully spoon the chilled cherry syrup on top of the sliced cherries. Be careful not to overfill and create a spill over the edge.
    • Place the tart in the refrigerator for 45-60 minutes so everything is fully chilled and set. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • Store any leftover cherry tart covered in the fridge for 1-2 days.
    • I have also used a little maraschino liqueur syrup from my recipe for Homemade Luxardo Cherries for an extra pizzazz but the regular cherry syrup from the recipe above works perfectly, especially if you are serving to kids!
    • Arrange Cherries Creatively: When placing the cherries on the tart, consider arranging them in a pattern or concentric circles to create an appealing and eye-catching presentation
    • Serve Chilled: For the best taste and texture, serve the pastry cream tart with cherries chilled. Refrigerate the assembled tart for at least an hour before serving
    • Garnish with Fresh Mint: Before serving, consider adding a few fresh mint leaves as a garnish. The bright green color and refreshing flavor of the mint complement the cherries and pastry cream beautifully
    • This recipe makes quite a bit of syrup, but don't worry, there are so many options on how to use it including adding it to cocktails, drizzling over ice cream, or adding a punch to waffles or pancakes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 7.2g | Fat: 8.7g | Saturated Fat: 4.2g | Cholesterol: 163mg | Sodium: 67mg | Potassium: 127mg | Fiber: 0.9g | Sugar: 19.6g | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 2mg

    Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @EmilyFabulous_Blog or tag #emilyfabulous!
    QR Code

    More Delicious Dessert Recipes

    • 23 Easter Dessert Recipes.
      20+ Easy and Fun Easter Desserts
    • 22 dehydrator Recipes.
      22 Dehydrator Recipes
    • 13 Thanksgiving Recipes for Kids.
      13 Thanksgiving Desserts for Kids
    • 15 Strawberry Desserts Pin.
      Easy Strawberry Dessert Recipes

    Comments

    1. Brenda Matthews says

      December 24, 2024 at 1:36 pm

      5 stars
      THE BEST! My grandson never ate cherries, but loved them in this recipe. I’m making a blueberry tart based on this recipe for Christmas dinner now. EXCELLENT and well worth the work involved.

      Reply
      • Emily says

        December 26, 2024 at 8:14 am

        Thanks, Brenda, I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe. Happy Holidays!

        Reply
    2. Bethany says

      December 24, 2024 at 12:25 am

      3 stars
      I love the basic idea and will make it again with some changes (less sugar, less syrup).

      I ended up with close to a cup of left over syrup (juicy cherries?). It seemed like a waste of cherrys to make far more syrup than I needed and also not to use cherry mash from the syrup process in the tart. I guess I am not someone likely to use cherry syrup for anything, nor eat cherry sugar mash. I found the syrup too sweet but that is just my taste.

      The pastry turned out well. I was a bit confused about splitting the dough in two. I used both for one tart but was it supposed to make 2?

      I also had a good cup of leftover custard cream even though I used a slightly bigger tart dish. Better than not enough! The custard was perfect consistency for a tart.

      Reply
    3. Portobello says

      July 17, 2022 at 5:23 pm

      2 stars
      I followed the recipe for the cherry syrup and pastry cream topping. I used an already made pie crust that I rolled out in a 9" tart part with removable bottom. IMO, the 1 cup of sugar was too sweet for the syrup. It also was think but running which I ended up not using it as the pastry cream would have been more runny than it already was. There was way too much of the pastry cream for the tart pan. I must have had about 1 cup extra. The pastry cream was soft but not firm so cutting a slice was more like have a pudding mess. I followed the recipe and didn't make any changes. I love to bake and I think I'm pretty good baker but this recipe was a thumbs down.

      Reply
      • Emily says

        July 21, 2022 at 7:55 am

        Sorry it didn't work out for you, but thanks for checking it out and giving it a try.😊

        Reply
      • missy says

        January 18, 2024 at 6:48 pm

        5 stars
        I had no problems if your pastry cream was that runny it wasn't cooked long enough. Did you add the stifffly whipped cream with pastry cream before filling? The stiff cream helps firm up the pastry cream as well

        Reply
        • Emily says

          January 19, 2024 at 9:48 pm

          Hi Missy, Yes, the whipped cream gets folding in after the pastry cream chills. The chilling process also helps it firm up. After you fold in teh whipped cream it gets added to the shell. Hope that helps!

    4. Mihaela says

      June 28, 2021 at 6:21 pm

      Hi there! Great recipe! Am I reading right that it makes two different doughs? Save the extra in the freezer to make more? What else can you make with this type of dough?

      Reply
      • Emily says

        June 28, 2021 at 7:50 pm

        You can use the extra dough for any tart-like desserts. You could fill the crust with chocolate ganache or a mousse. You can also use this dough to cut out cookie shapes and make buttery cookies!

        Reply
    5. Begum says

      November 17, 2020 at 9:10 am

      Can we use frozen cherries?

      Reply
      • Emily says

        November 17, 2020 at 3:49 pm

        Hi Begum, you can use frozen cherries, however, you probably won't be able to achieve the same presentation since frozen fruit tends to lose its shape. I highly recommend fresh cherries, but if it's not possible, let me know how frozen cherries turn out!

        Reply
    « Older Comments
    4.93 from 64 votes (48 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    cherry tart.
    cherry tart pin.
    picture of the author and owner of emilyfabulous.com.

    Hi, I'm Emily! I'm excited to share my passions, experiments, and fun with you. I love to cook, bake, create recipes, mix cocktails and try new things!

    More about me →

    emilyfabulous.com has been featured In pinterest, parade, foodgawker, recipe lion, bon appetit, yummly, msn, foodtalk, flipboard, and more.

    Spring Cocktails

    • strawberry rhubarb cocktail on a tray.
      Strawberry Rhubarb Cocktail
    • lemon curd cocktail in a coupe glass.
      Lemon Curd Cocktail Recipe
    • blood orange margarita on the rocks.
      Blood Orange Margarita
    • lilac-cocktail
      Lilac Gin Sour

    Most Popular

    • poolish-pizza-dough-round
      Poolish Pizza Dough
    • sourdough bread on a cooling rack.
      Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread
    • baked-chile-rellenos
      Baked Chile Rellenos
    • ciabatta rolls on a plate and sliced in half
      Easy Ciabatta Rolls Recipe
    • stack of pink crumbl copycat cookies
      Crumbl Cookie Copycat Recipe
    • chocolate peanut butter rice krispie treats
      Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

    Footer

    cherry tart.
    cherry tart pin.

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • About

    COPYRIGHT © 2025 EMILY FABULOUS, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie SettingsAccept
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    3973 shares

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.