No-Bake Eggless Fruit Tart

Here’s my go-to recipe for an eggless fruit tart, made with a simple press-in crust, smooth vanilla pastry cream (without eggs!), and topped with fresh seasonal fruits arranged in a pretty pattern.

This fruit tart has become my favorite dessert to bring to summer gatherings. I often make an extra one to keep at home because my kids always ask for seconds. And let’s be honest – who doesn’t love having a slice of fruit tart with their morning coffee?

What Kind of Jam Should I Use?

Orange and apricot jams are both great choices for glazing a fruit tart, and you can actually use either one based on what you have in your pantry. Orange jam tends to have a brighter, more citrusy flavor that works really well with most fruits, while apricot jam offers a slightly milder, sweet taste that won’t overpower your tart toppings. If you’re shopping for jam specifically for this recipe, look for ones that are smooth without large chunks of fruit – this will give you the most even glaze. Just make sure to warm the jam slightly before using it, as this will make it easier to spread and create that beautiful shiny finish.

Options for Substitutions

Looking to switch things up with the glaze? Here are some easy swaps you can try:

• Orange or apricot jam: You’ve got lots of options here! Try using strawberry, raspberry, or peach jam instead. Apple jelly works great too. Just make sure to strain out any fruit chunks if your jam is chunky. You can even use honey mixed with a tiny splash of lemon juice for a different take.
• Water: Instead of plain water, you can use orange juice or apple juice to add extra flavor. If using juice, you might want to reduce the amount to 2 teaspoons since juices are thinner than water.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making a fruit glaze is getting the right consistency – heating the jam and water mixture too much can make it too runny and cause it to slide right off your fruits, while not heating it enough will make it difficult to spread evenly.

For the perfect glaze, warm the mixture over low heat just until the jam melts and becomes smooth, stirring constantly to prevent any burning or sticking to the pan.

A common mistake is applying the glaze while it’s too hot, which can make your fruits wilt or slide around – instead, let it cool for about 5 minutes until it’s just warm to the touch, and apply it gently with a pastry brush in thin, even strokes to get that professional-looking shine.

What to Serve With Fruit Tart?

A slice of fruit tart is lovely with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Since this dessert is already sweet and fruity, I like to serve it with a hot beverage – think coffee, earl grey tea, or even a creamy chai latte to balance out the flavors. For brunch gatherings, I’ll often pair it with some fresh berries on the side and maybe a small glass of prosecco or mimosa to make it feel extra special. If you’re serving this for afternoon tea, some simple butter cookies or shortbread make nice accompaniments without overwhelming the star of the show.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Your fruit tart will stay delicious when kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cover it well with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to keep the fruit looking fresh and prevent the jam from drying out.

Make Ahead: You can prepare the tart base a day in advance and store it at room temperature, well-wrapped. Just add the fruit and glaze right before serving for the best presentation and taste. This way, everything stays fresh and looks great when it’s time to serve!

Serve: For the best taste and texture, take your tart out of the fridge about 15 minutes before serving. This lets the flavors develop and brings out the natural sweetness of the fruit. The glaze will look extra nice at room temperature too!

Preparation Time	30-45 minutes
Cooking Time	20-30 minutes
Total Time	110-135 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 100-120
• Protein: 0-1 g
• Fat: 0-0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25-30 g

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons orange or apricot jam
• 1 tablespoon water

Step 1: Prepare the Pastry Cream

Begin by making the pastry cream according to your preferred recipe.

Focus on achieving a smooth and creamy texture.

Once prepared, allow the pastry cream to cool completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 2: Make the Eggless Tart Crust

Follow the steps in your chosen recipe to make an eggless tart crust.

Once the dough is prepared, press it into your tart pan and fully bake the crust in the oven.

Allow the baked crust to cool completely before adding any fillings.

Step 3: Assemble the Tart

Once the pastry cream and tart crust have both cooled, spread the cooled pastry cream into the cooled tart crust.

Ensure the cream is evenly distributed.

You can refrigerate the tart until you are ready to garnish it with fruit, or proceed to garnish right away.

Step 4: Garnish with Fresh Fruit

Decorate the top of the tart with your favorite fresh fruit.

Arrange the fruit pieces in a visually appealing pattern or scatter them as desired.

This step adds both flavor and aesthetic appeal to your tart.

Step 5: Apply the Optional Glaze

If you choose to add a glaze, whisk together the optional glaze ingredients until well combined.

Warm the mixture in the microwave for about 15 seconds, then brush it gently over the fruit.

This will give your tart a glossy finish and help preserve the fruit’s freshness.

Step 6: Final Refrigeration

Place the assembled tart in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.

This allows the flavors to meld and the tart to set properly.

Once chilled, slice and enjoy your beautifully garnished fruit tart!