Get ready to experience pure dessert bliss because these French tarts are sweet, delicate, fresh, and impossibly delicious.
Make them once, and you’ll be hooked!
I’ve been on a major French food kick lately, and I’m not about to stop anytime soon.
I’ve featured French appetizers and sandwiches, and now, the spotlight is on tarts.
From their rustic look to their mouthwatering tastes and textures, French tarts can please even the toughest of critics.
Made primarily with a flaky pastry crust and a fruit or custard filling, they offer so many layers of flavor in one irresistible package.
Top 10 Most Delicious French Tarts You’ll Ever Try
1. Classic French Fruit Tart
Nothing is quite as divine as a French fruit tart.
The shortbread crust, known as pâte sucrée, is lightly sweet and crumbly and provides an irresistible contrast to the smooth and creamy vanilla custard or crême pâtisserie.
Together, they create a decadent bite with each spoonful.
On top, juicy seasonal fruits and berries create an explosion of colors, flavors, and textures.
Traditional topping choices include apples and peaches. For this recipe, though, you’ll use a mix of berries and kiwi slices.
2. Classic French Tarte Aux Pommes
Tarte Aux Pommes is as exquisite as it sounds. It’s like an apple pie, but taken up, like, ten notches higher.
It combines the flavors of sweet, tart apples with a creamy almond frangipane filling, creating a sophisticated and distinctive treat.
Arranged in a fanned, spiral pattern, the apple slices make for a breathtaking presentation.
And just when you think this tart couldn’t get any better, it is finished off with a luscious apricot glaze on top.
Aside from the added sweetness, the glaze also gives the apples a lovely glossy finish.
3. Classic Tarte Tatin
Tarte tatin (pronounced taart tuh-tan) is a hugely popular French dessert with a buttery shortbread crust and caramelized apples.
The combination of tart apples, buttery pastry, and sweet caramel makes it a classic that’s sure to impress.
You’ll notice it’s similar in flavor and texture to Tarte Aux Pommes. The difference is, it’s much easier to make.
Unlike its more sophisticated cousin, a tarte tatin is baked with the apples at the bottom of the pan, followed by the crust.
Once baked, the tart is flipped upside down to reveal its beautiful composition.
4. Alsatian Blueberry Tart (Tarte aux Myrtilles Alsacienne)
Tarte aux Myrtilles Alsacienne – the name sure does seem fancy, but it’s nothing to be intimidated by.
It’s actually just a delicious blueberry tart originating from the Alsace region of France.
And it all starts with a basic crust called pâte brisée.
Made with only flour, butter, and water, it’s a much simpler crust compared to others.
Using something so simple for the base allows the flavors and textures of the filling to shine.
And shine, the filling definitely does.
A combination of blueberries and custard (known as migaine), the filling is a delightful blend of sweet and creamy with a bit of acidity.
5. Mirabelle Plum Tart from Lorraine
The Lorraine region’s Mirabelle plum tart is an exquisite dessert experience.
Sweet, juicy plums are carefully baked in light, pillowy puff pastry until golden brown.
Its crust is just the right thickness, beautifully accentuating the generous layer of tart plums within.
This tart serves as a true showcase of the masterful pastries that come out of Lorraine in northeastern France.
It delivers a delectable combination of flavors you won’t soon forget. Every time you take a bite, it’s like taking a brief journey back to its picturesque region.
6. Classic French Lemon Curd Tart With Meringue
There’s nothing like a sweet and zesty summer tart to put a smile on your face! And this lemon curd tart will do just that.
Featuring a shortbread crust, a creamy lemon curd filling, and a fluffy toasted meringue topping, it’s as pretty as it is scrummy.
The zesty lemon flavor combined with the sweet meringue combine to make a refreshing treat for any picnic or backyard garden party.
7. Tarte Normande (French Apple Tart)
Tarte Normande is an elegant dessert originating from the Normandy region of France.
Apples are the star of this tart – but not just any apples. They have to come from Normandy for a true tarte Normande!
The apples are mixed with apple brandy (called Calvados), cream, and butter to form a sweet, aromatic filling.
Without a doubt, tarte Normande makes a great representation of the region’s flavors and traditions.
8. Sugar Pie (Tarte au Sucre)
Tarte au sucre is a French-Canadian sugar pie that’s been around for generations.
The iconic sugar pie filling is made from brown sugar and maple syrup to give it a deep, intense sweetness.
Meanwhile, a vodka-infused crust is used for its base to give the tart a perfect balance of flavors.
Though its exact origin remains a mystery, the recipe for this delicacy has remained largely unchanged for centuries.
A true French-Canadian favorite, tarte au sucre is often most appreciated by those who grew up eating it.
There’s definitely something nostalgic about biting into a sugar pie!
9. Classic French Lemon Tart Recipe (Tarte Au Citron)
Tarte au citron is a perfect way to end a heavy meal.
Its crisp, buttery pastry crust (pâte sucrée) pairs perfectly with the luscious lemon custard filling. And it creates a flavor explosion that’s sure to delight!
Perfectly tart yet sweet at the same time, tarte au citron is unique and a definite must-try.
Not only does it taste amazing, but its rustic look is beautiful as well. It makes it an ideal addition to any special occasion.
10. Tarte Bourdaloue
The tarte Bourdaloue is a delectable variation of the amandine or almond tart.
It’s a delightful French dessert with a flaky crust filled with a creamy almond filling called frangipane.
On top of this delicious base rests poached pears, giving the whole thing a beautiful and elegant look.
Finally, it is finished with a glaze of apricot jam for sweetness and shine.
As delicious as it is beautiful, tarte Bourdaloue is a true work of art.