Classic French Fruit Tart

Whip up a French fruit tart that could dazzle in the window of a fancy bakery—with its buttery shortbread crust, luscious vanilla custard, and a vibrant mix of fresh fruits, it’s a simple yet elegant treat for any occasion.

This classic French fruit tart combines three equally delicious elements: a crisp, buttery shortbread crust (or pâte sucrée), a creamy vanilla custard (or crême pâtissière), and heaps of fresh fruit.

The fruit tart comes together easily but looks like it came straight out of a French pâtisserie window, and it tastes even better than it looks.

• 1 recipe pâte sucrée (sweet tart dough)
• 2 cups whole milk (do not substitute low-fat or skim milk)
• ½ cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 large egg
• 2 large egg yolks
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• About 4 cups fresh mixed berries of choice, plus other fruits, such as sliced kiwi or mango (see note)
• ¼ cup apricot jam

Pâte Sucrée (Sweet Tart Dough)

• 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ⅓ cup sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
• 1 egg yolk
• Nonstick cooking spray with flour, for baking