🍓 Mini Fresh Fruit Tarts

🧈 For the Tart Shells
2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
2 large egg yolks
1–2 tbsp ice-cold water
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp salt
🍮 For the Pastry Cream
2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
4 large egg yolks
¼ cup (30 g) cornstarch
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
🍓 For the Fruit Topping
Fresh strawberries, sliced
Fresh blueberries
Kiwi, peeled and sliced
Mango or peaches, sliced
Any other fresh fruit you love
✨ Optional Glaze
2 tbsp apricot jam
1 tbsp water
👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Make the tart dough:
   In a large bowl, combine flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and rub it into the flour until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.
   Add the egg yolks and vanilla. Mix until the dough starts coming together. Add 1–2 tablespoons of ice water, only as needed.
   Form the dough into a disk, wrap it, and refrigerate for 30–60 minutes.
2. Prepare the tart shells:
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
   Roll the chilled dough out to about ⅛ inch (3 mm) thick. Cut into circles and gently press the dough into mini tart pans.
   Prick the bottoms with a fork. Chill the shells for another 10–15 minutes.
   Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden around the edges. Let them cool completely.
3. Make the pastry cream:
   Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until hot but not boiling.
   In a bowl, whisk together egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, flour, and salt until smooth.
   Slowly whisk the hot milk into the egg mixture. Return everything to the saucepan.
   Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thick and creamy, about 3–5 minutes.
   Remove from the heat. Stir in butter and vanilla.
   Transfer to a bowl and cover the surface directly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until completely chilled.
4. Fill the tart shells:
   Once the shells and pastry cream are completely cool, pipe or spoon the pastry cream into each tart shell.
5. Add the fruit:
   Arrange sliced strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, mango, and other fresh fruit beautifully on top.
6. Optional glossy finish:
   Warm the apricot jam with 1 tablespoon of water. Brush a thin layer over the fruit for a beautiful bakery-style shine.