Vivid Dragon Fruit and Lime Tarts

These vivid dragon fruit and lime tarts are fresh, creamy, and beautifully balanced. The crisp pastry contrasts with a smooth lime filling, while the dragon fruit adds gentle sweetness and colour. This is an easy to moderate recipe that looks impressive without being complicated. From start to finish, the tarts are ready in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Ingredients

For the sweet pastry

• 175g plain flour
• 100g cold unsalted butter, diced
• 50g icing sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 to 2 tbsp cold water

For the lime filling

• 200g full-fat cream cheese
• 100ml double cream
• 80g caster sugar
• Finely grated zest of 2 limes
• 3 tbsp fresh lime juice

For the topping

• 1 large pink dragon fruit, peeled and cubed
• 1 tsp lime zest, to finish

How to Make Vivid Dragon Fruit and Lime Tarts

• Prepare the oven: Preheat the oven to 200°C or 180°C fan. Place a shelf in the middle of the oven so the tarts bake evenly.
• Make the pastry: Rub the butter into the flour until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the icing sugar, then add the egg yolk and enough cold water to bring it together into a soft dough.
• Chill and roll: Wrap the dough and chill for 20 minutes. Roll out on a lightly floured surface and line six loose-based tart tins. Prick the bases and chill again for 10 minutes.
• Bake the cases: Line with baking paper and baking beans. Bake for 12 minutes, remove the paper and beans, then bake for a further 5 minutes until pale golden. Leave to cool.
• Mix the filling: Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the cream, sugar, lime zest, and lime juice, then whisk until thick and creamy.
• Assemble: Spoon the lime filling into the cooled pastry cases and smooth the tops.
• Finish and chill: Top with dragon fruit cubes and a little extra lime zest. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Tips

How do I stop soggy pastry?

Chilling the pastry twice and blind baking properly helps keep the bases crisp.

Can I prepare these in advance?

You can bake the tart cases a day ahead and fill them a few hours before serving.

What if my filling is too soft?

Chill it for longer. Full-fat cream cheese also gives the best structure.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with fresh berries on the side
• Add a drizzle of honey for extra sweetness
• Pair with lightly whipped cream

Storage

Room temperature

Not recommended due to the creamy filling.

Refrigerator

Keep covered in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Freezing

The pastry cases can be frozen unfilled for up to 1 month. Do not freeze the assembled tarts.

Nutrition

• Calories: 320 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated fat: 13g
• Sodium: 120mg

Nutrition values are estimates and may vary.

FAQs