Blood Orange Tarts with Custard (Print version)

Crisp tart shells filled with vanilla custard and topped with vibrant blood orange segments for an elegant finish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Tart Shells

01 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
04 - 1 large egg yolk
05 - 1 to 2 tablespoons ice water
06 - Pinch of salt

→ Vanilla Custard

07 - 1 1/4 cups whole milk
08 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
09 - 3 large egg yolks
10 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
11 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
12 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

→ Blood Orange Topping

13 - 3 to 4 blood oranges, peeled and sliced into thin rounds
14 - 1 tablespoon honey, optional for glazing
15 - 1 teaspoon water, optional for glazing

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a food processor, pulse together flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add cold butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg yolk and pulse, adding ice water one tablespoon at a time until dough just comes together.
02 - Shape dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour.
03 - Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut to fit six 4-inch tart pans. Press dough into pans and trim excess. Chill for 20 minutes.
04 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line tart shells with parchment and fill with pie weights. Bake for 15 minutes, remove weights and parchment, then bake 5 minutes more until golden. Cool completely.
05 - In a medium saucepan, heat milk until steaming. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until pale. Gradually whisk in hot milk. Return mixture to saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thickened and bubbling, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and butter.
06 - Transfer custard to a bowl, cover surface with plastic wrap, and cool to room temperature, then chill at least 1 hour.
07 - Spoon chilled custard into cooled tart shells. Top with overlapping slices of blood orange.
08 - Warm honey and water in a small pan and brush over oranges for a glossy finish.
09 - Chill tarts until ready to serve.

# Tips from the pros:

01 -
  • The contrast between buttery crust and tangy citrus makes every bite feel balanced and bright.
  • You can bake the shells and make the custard a full day ahead, so there's no stress when guests arrive.
  • Blood oranges are only around for a few months, and this recipe makes the most of their short season.
  • They look like something from a bakery window but come together with pantry staples and basic technique.
02 -
  • If your tart shells puff up during baking, it means the dough wasn't chilled long enough or the weights shifted, so press them gently back down while they're still warm.
  • Custard can go from perfect to scrambled in seconds, so never stop whisking once it's on the heat, and pull it off as soon as it thickens.
  • Blood oranges vary wildly in sweetness depending on the season, so taste one before you assemble and add a touch more honey to the glaze if they're especially tart.
03 -
  • Add a teaspoon of finely grated orange zest to the custard while it cooks for a citrus boost that ties everything together.
  • If your dough cracks while rolling, let it sit at room temperature for five minutes to soften slightly, then patch any tears with scraps before pressing into the pans.
  • A pastry brush dipped in the honey glaze makes the oranges shine like stained glass, and guests always notice that extra step.
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