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Whether you’re bringing a dessert to a gathering or looking for the perfect way to end a dinner party on a high note, a tarte that’s not only delicious but also eye-catching is an excellent way to go. Round, rectangular, mini, or large, there’s something here for every occasion. While the taste is what really matters, it doesn’t hurt if your friends can’t stop taking pictures of the last course, right?
Honey Butter Stone Fruit and Blackberry Meringue Tarte
This gorgeous tarte employs an admirably crafty trick: using a star-shaped cookie cutter to create a decorative element that is just as aesthetically pleasing as it is flavor-wise. Though it looks like a ton of effort was required to make this, cutting out the shapes is relatively easy. Plus, while stone fruit technically is best in the summer, it’s available most places all year round, so this recipe is a great way to get a taste of warmer weather when it’s freezing outside.
Blackberry Chocolate Italian Tart with Coffee-Infused Creme Fraiche
There’s only one word that can be used to describe this lovely concoction: stunning. Between this tarte’s complex but balanced flavor mix (coffee + chocolate + creme fraiche = YES) and its sumptuous design, there’s a good chance you’ll end up making this sweet treat more than once. The flowers are more for decoration than chowing down, but they add a lovely and personal touch to the dessert.
Fig, Apricot & Mascarpone Tarte
Isn’t it amazing when nature provides the ideal color combo? Here, the pairing of fresh figs and apricots creates a visually interesting palette that will also please your palate. What’s more, this recipe is on the simple side when it comes to tartes. Aside from making the crust and laying out the fruit in a pretty design, all you have to do is pop it in the oven.
Lemon & Earl Grey Tarte With Buttermilk Chantilly
Combining lemon, Earl Grey, and buttermilk is a totally inspired idea; it’s almost like offering guests a cup of tea and dessert all in one. Whether or not you can mimic the abstract modern design of this beautiful tarte, it will fit right in at the fanciest of shindigs.
Dark Truffle and Salted Caramel Truffle Tarte
It’s pretty genius to use pre-made truffles to decorate a tarte. It may seem like a cheesy idea at first, but as you can see, the result is anything but gauche. The flavors of the crust and the filling mimic the taste of the chocolates, creating a perfect (and delicious) harmony of tastes.
White Ricotta Tarte With Sugared Fruit
Sugared fruit is one of the easiest last course decorations to make, and yet it’s so beautiful and sophisticated. One of the best things about this recipe is that you can use any fruit you like as an accent, so pick whatever is in season and go to town.
Apple and Frangipane Tarte
Everyone loves an apple tarte, and for that reason, the simpler the better when it comes to this staple favorite. The nutty almond flavor of the frangipane complements the sweetness of the thinly-sliced apples. Time to perfect those fruit spiral layout skills.
Fig and Peach Mascarpone Tarte
Figs are a really popular tarte ingredient—with good reason. They add a pop of color to any recipe, plus they’re sweet but not overly so, which balances out other sugary ingredients. One benefit of rectangular-shaped tartes like this one is that they’re way easier to cut and serve than round ones. Just cut across diagonally and you’ll have neat triangular slices.
The Best Lemon Lime Cream Tart
Basic doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Case in point: this easy custard-based tarte. Make the crust, whip up the cream, combine and you’re done. Top it with fruit for a little extra flavor and style, but if you’re short on time it’s totally not necessary. After all, just because it looks like you spent hours making it doesn’t have to mean you actually did.
Kahlua Chocolate Pecan Tarte
Beautiful desserts don’t always have to be painstakingly laborious decoration-wise. This splattery but still pretty chocolate-based tarte is a prime example. Just add some chocolate drizzle to the top after baking and you’ll be set. Oh, and don’t forget to serve with ice cream.
Easy Stone Fruit
Tartes
It’s always nice to hear that something so gorgeous is easy to make. With this recipe, you can really get creative about the placement and design of the fruit, so whether you’re a modern minimal type or a “more is more” believer, you can adapt these to your personal aesthetic.
Red Wine and Poached Pear Chocolate Tart
Wine is a fantastic way to bring more depth of flavor into virtually any recipe, and this poached pear and chocolate combo is no exception.
Puff Pastry Apple Rose
Tartes
This flower-like tarte can be made as one large dessert or several mini ones, since individual servings can feel more personal and special. The ingredients list is simple, just puff pastry and apples, but the effect is deliciously complex.