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My entire life and all of my belongings are supposed to be moving seven stories down, from 12H to 5F this weekend…and if you think I even own moving boxes, let alone have considered organizing even a smidgen of my cookbook collection…well then you are even more in denial than I am.

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You see, I’m currently in the process of “rejecting reality”.

It’s an art.

I’m sure there’s an “Idiot’s Guide” to it somewhere out there, if you’re into that kind of thing, but I advise against becoming well versed in this particular “skill set”.

(a) It’s habit forming.

And (b) it makes your boyfriend frustrated when you demand that he take a day off from studying to help you move (okay, um.  he offered.) and then spend the entire week beforehand not only pretending that it’s not happening but, on the rare occasions when you concede that it is, you insist that he cannot touch a single one of your possessions.

Not only does moving fill your mind with all sorts of ignorance-is-bliss inspired delusions, but it also turns you into a psychobitch.  Truth.

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I would be worried about us surviving the weekend with our googly eyes and lovesick puppy affection still intact…but seeing as how he spent the 4th of July meeting my family (and excelling at it, by the way) and did not once run away screaming or curl up in a corner in fetal position…

…I think we’ll be okay.

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And if not, I’ve got a secret weapon.

In the form of this tart.

Because you just have to absolutely adore a girl who can fill a shortbread crust with white balsamic custard heaven, even if she is simultaneously screaming at you to help her pack and ordering you to keep your hands off everything.

Hmmm.  Perhaps I’d better make six of them.  I think we’re gonna need ’em.

PS – The winner of the Keep It Sweets dessert giveaway is comment number 48, Ashley (Bee) of Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine!  Ashley, please email me at [email protected] with you cookie/bar/brownie selection and your address!

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White Balsamic Custard Tart with Fresh Berry Topping
Serves 8, adapted from Bon Appetit July 2004

Ingredients
For the crust: 

  • 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup chilled, unsalted butter cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 tbsp whipping cream

For the filling: 

  • 1/2 cup whipping cream
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup white balsamic vinegar
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter

For the topping: 

  • 2 large strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1 1/2-pint raspberries
  • 1 1/2-pint blueberries

Instructions

  1. Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor. Pulse until combined.  Add in the chilled butter and pulse until flour mixture resembles coarse sand.  Add in the egg yolk and whipping cream.  Pulse until mixture is moist.  Gather the ball in a dough and press evenly into a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom.  Pierce dough all over with a fork.  Chill for 1 hour.
  2. Preheat oven to 375.  Bake the crust until golden, about 22 minutes. Let cool.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together the whipping cream and the cornstarch until the latter is dissolved.  Add in the eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla extract, whisking until fully mixed.
  4. Boil the vinegar in a heavy medium saucepan until it is reduced to 1/4 cup, about 3 minutes.  Add in the water, sugar, and unsalted butter. Heat until the butter melts and the mixture begins to come to a boil.  Gradually mix vinegar into egg mixture, whisking constantly.  Return to the pan and heat, whisking, until the custard thickens and boils, about 1 minute.  Strain the custard into a bowl.  Let cool. Pour the custard into the prepared tart crust and chill for 3 hours or up to 1 day.
  5. Arrange the strawberries, raspberries and blueberries on top of the tart crust as desired.  Cover loosely and chill until ready to serve.

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You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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77 Responses to White Balsamic Custard Tart with Fresh Berry Topping

  1. Sam says:

    Moves like that are the worst, because you never pack everything as well as you probably should have…I’m sure it will be fine though. 🙂

    I love this tart! I think I’ll make this soon…well, as soon as I’m in the mood to turn on the oven again…

  2. Yayaya for such an awesome bf! 🙂 and balsamic cream??? oh my goodness! Can’t wait to try something similar! 🙂 🙂 Good luck with your move – I hate moving, too, but I better get good at it with so many moves in my future. 🙁

  3. This tart is not only gorgeous but I’m so intrigued by the white balsamic added to the custard! Happy 4th!

  4. Seriously. This tart? Beautiful! I can’t imagine how amazing it tastes!
    Good luck moving. I just moved last week. It’s a pain but it’ll all get done! Hope it goes well!!

  5. Ah good luck with that move! Your boyfriend deserves a bazillion tarts for helping!

  6. london bakes says:

    I have already said that I’m never moving again. It’s way too much stress. When my boyfriend moved into my place, I went away and let him do it himself because I knew it would just stress me out too much.

    White balsamic in the custard sounds like an amazing combination with those berries!

  7. OohLookBel says:

    This tart is amazing. And ditto with the white balsamic, it sounds intriguing and delicious.

  8. Haha, procrastination is my middle name, so I totally understand your packing “method.” Glad your bf made a good impression on the fam! This tart sounds wonderful…I’d never think to use balsamic but could see how it would bring out the flavor. Also love your berry art on top!

  9. Danielle says:

    This is so pretty – I bet it tastes great too. Im curious about the vinegar sounds like a great addition.

  10. Ugh…moving is NO FUN. But this tart is gorgeous!!! And looks SO delicious!

    Best of luck moving stories. Hope your new place feels like home soon! 🙂

  11. SallyBR says:

    Beautiful tart, love the balsamic addition…

    and great news on the boyfriend-meets-family front, awesome!

  12. Johanna GGG says:

    whoa – half a cup of vinegar – that is scary but intriguing! On the other hand the tart is very pretty and great for 4 July. Glad the boyfriend meeting the family went down well – they are probably all relieved he eats meat (I have been there on that one!) Hope the move goes well – if only you could just drop all your stuff out the window and it land at 5F. These moves always come together somehow

  13. Lynn says:

    This tart looks amazing. Yum.

    You must have gotten a better kitchen in that new apartment.

  14. Amy says:

    Wait…what? Didn’t you just move? I could have sworn you just moved….Or maybe THIS was that move? Well, either way at least you had White Balsamic Custard at the end of that rainbow. Hello!!

  15. Karis Ann says:

    Wow, gorgeous tart!. This recipe justifies my purchase of a tart pan…I knew my husband was wrong 🙂

  16. Roz says:

    Love the twist on the tart’s custard with the white balsamico! Now that it’s summer, I’m making my rounds to visit the bloggers that I follow and do some catching up. Looks like you’ve been creating some delicious eats!

  17. I am so into the art of rejecting reality. Thank goodness for those boys that help us through that!! White balsamic? Girl. You are a genius and an inspiration in the kitchen.

  18. Deborah says:

    Good luck with the move – I hate moving, so I feel for you!! But this tart would definitely make it all better!

  19. Elizabeth says:

    Oof, moving. A relationship isn’t real till one has helped the other move at least once 😉

  20. This is gorgeous! I bet the fruit is so perfect with the white balsamic. Looks summer-ready to me!

  21. Beth says:

    If he passed the family test, then the moving test should be a snap.

    BTW, I’d love you too if you made me this tart.

  22. Balsamic curd sounds very intriguing – I imagine it goes so well with the fresh berries.

  23. Margarita says:

    So I just moved two weeks ago and it was only a 5 mile move. All I did was pack all clothes in huge shopping bags. All stuff in drawers in another shopping bag. Cookbooks in boxes… Those are the worst to carry by the way. Then all cooking tools in open boxes. Kinick knacks in shoe boxes. Bathroom and other cleaning stuff were packed last. Leave those for apartment cleaning. Good luck Joanne! Great thinking by making this pie ahead of time,

  24. Mary says:

    What a gorgeous creation. One bite of this and he’ll follow you anywhere. I’m glad to hear that the family meet and greet went well. Have a wonderful weekend. Blessings…Mary

  25. How beautiful! Making up with food works every time and they rarely notice they’re forgiving you until its two late! Good luck with the move. It’s always stressful.

  26. It’s an art, that’s for sure. I know it was delicious, but I’m not sure if I’d ever cut this cake.

  27. Karen says:

    Very pretty tart and delicious, I’m sure. Moving is the pits – especially when it’s just around the corner (or down below, as the case may be).

  28. I’d totally help you move if I was near you! After all, you are my hardcore party buddy 🙂

    Great-looking tart btw. I need to bookmark this for the next time I see Jason’s parents – I’m sure it’ll score me some brownie points 🙂

  29. good thing at wasn’t at your party because I fear I would have made enemies by eating all the tart! ALL OF IT!

  30. Oh my gosh…I can’t stop thinking about how this would taste. White balsamic – it sounds so freakin’ delicious. I just want to make a bowl of that filling and eat it like pudding. That’s okay, right?

  31. marie says:

    I am amazed you continue to churn out so many delectable treats. Honestly I just had lunch but this tart is making my mouth water so I need to go downstairs and grab something sweet.

  32. Camila Faria says:

    This is too pretty to eat!!!

  33. Christine says:

    Gorgeous tart! LOVE them, but never thought of white balsamic in the filling…and I just bought some! Good luck with the move. Is it a bigger apt.? One word of advice from a soul who’s moved way more than normal…label (generalize) what’s in every box and assign it a room # with a big black magic marker. Tape room #’s above each door in new place. Makes a major difference from start to finish. No yelling “where do you want this one?”

  34. Juliana says:

    Wow Joanne, what a beautiful tart…I never heard of balsamic in tart filling…
    The pictures are just awesome, love how you decorated with all the berries! I so wish I could have a slice of this tart…
    Have a nice weekend and good luck on your move 🙂

  35. Chris says:

    Favorite line of Mythbusters – I reject your reality and substitute my own.

    Besides, moving downstairs is easier than up, right?

    Have fun, J!

  36. bellini says:

    When all else fails bring on dessert!

  37. sophia says:

    I already adore you, Joanne, but please send a tart over and I’ll love you sooo much more…

    I HATE moving so bad. It makes me feel greedy because I have so many kitchen stuff! Haha!

  38. That Girl says:

    Good luck with the move!

  39. Hotly Spiced says:

    Ah moving. It does bring out the worst in people. Particularly me. I know exactly how you feel. I had to move four times in 15 months – with three kids and two dogs who lay about doing nothing to help and when they did, they did the wrong thing. Our last move was similar to yours. We didn’t have to go far, just across the road. This made the denial situation even more powerful because I just thought, why box everything up when I only need to carry it across the road. Come the day of the move I wasn’t exactly organised. But we did get it done and you will too. Great that you have Mr Wonderful by your side – Mr Wonderfuls come in handy at these times, as long as they don’t touch anything! Great looking tart. The berries on the top are to die for xx

  40. Guru Uru says:

    This dessert is one of te most beautiful tarts ever 😀
    I LOVE the addition of a balsamic custard!

    Cheers
    CCU

  41. Blond Duck says:

    I reject reality daily. I wouldn’t reject this tart!

  42. Ohhhh yum! Your tart looks amazing!! I have yet to ever make a tart from scratch!!

  43. Kari says:

    I think the tart will win out. Just a hunch. Lots of luck with the harder part of the weekend!

  44. Moving? oh..that’s gonna be lots of work, and stress!
    The berry tart looks spectacular!

  45. Faith says:

    Haha, this is definitely the perfect secret weapon — who could resist? 🙂 Hope the move goes smoothly, sweets!

  46. Kerstin says:

    What a gorgeous tart! I’m very intrigued by the white balsamic twist too!

  47. Barbara says:

    That is so pretty, Joanne. And right up my alley. Perfect for the weekend and I’m going to pin it.
    (Hope you aren’t broiled up there!)

  48. Love your secret weapon…it sounds terrific and oh so pretty.

  49. Cathleen says:

    Hmm.. well I’ve got to keep this secret weapon in mind..
    This looks great! I have never tried baking with balsamic vinegar before.

  50. Ugghh moving is my worst nightmare! But this tart is totally beautiful! Upsides to everything…

  51. Saguna says:

    Last time I moved I ended up sleeping on the floor for the first few days… and self-medicating with hot chocolate that I spilled on new carpet while attempting to reassemble said bed. Gah. Moving can suck it.

    This is so pretty- I totally missed that you artfully arranged a fruity star in the middle until your last lovely photo. White balsamic sounds intriguing and like it would taste awesome with berries!

  52. Julie says:

    Oh my I feel your pain, moving is the worst!! Unpacking though I love, fun to put things in a new place. Beautiful dessert. Hope the move goes okay.

  53. I hate moving. But if it was bribed with that tart, I’d have helped too!

  54. marla says:

    This tart is gorgeous!!! I love all those fresh berries on top. I am pretty good at rejecting reality as well 😉

  55. GORGEOUS!!!!
    Yes I had to write in capital…seriously this looks beautiful!!
    Good luck with the move..

  56. I think packing has to be the worst job on the planet .. well maybe second to moving. I hate both so much! I’m sure anyone would be willing to help if you gave them a piece of this tart though – it looks beautiful!

  57. Moving in the same building is easy and hard at the same time. Ha! We are actually in the process of moving to the house next door – similar situation!

  58. Reeni says:

    Your tart is a thing of beauty! All that lovely fresh fruit and creamy custard – I’m in love! Hope you’re moving is going well!

  59. love2dine says:

    Fantastic photo, it looks so bright and fresh.

  60. Katie says:

    I think this tart could help any situation like that. I just want fresh berries in my life every day. Hope the move turns out well.

  61. Custard and I’m THERE!!

    Twitter: @aSquishyMonster

  62. Lori says:

    What a trooper! Moving is no fun. Hope it went well. This is drop dead gorgeous! I’ve not used white balsamic at all. I wasn’t expecting it in dessert, but now I’m intrigued.

  63. If anyone had told me the raw truth that installing new flooring in my house, meant packing up and moving everything I own outside– I might have lived with dirty/worn carpeting for a while longer. Thank God for friends, who jumped in to rescue my own denial. Good luck with the move. I’m craving about white balsamic– it’s my go to vinaigrette choice. In a custard? Never thought of it. Sounds fantastic.

  64. Kim says:

    That is one GORGEOUS tart. I’ve never used white balsamic before…would love a taste of this.

    I hope the move went well!

  65. Carolyn Jung says:

    Gorgeous tart! And how intriguing about the white balsamic. But then, strawberries and balsamic are such a classic Italian tradition. Yum!

  66. Megan says:

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  67. Megan says:

    Good luck with the move!! And that tart is stunning!!

  68. Tandy says:

    For a slice of that I would have come to help!

  69. grace says:

    i’d say this give new meaning to ‘sweet tarts’! i could go for a tart tart right about now. 🙂

  70. sandra says:

    what a gorgeous tart! Stunningly artistic!

  71. Cara says:

    I always go for chocolate instead of fruit. But if there is balsamic thrown in? Total game-changer. This sounds fab!

  72. Lora says:

    Gorgeous tart. White balsamic custard- very creative.

  73. Wow…. such a beautiful tart! I’ve never tried white balsamic vinegar. Very interesting and delicious, Joanne!

  74. He sounds like a keeper!
    As does the tart. Can you make me one? I’ll be your best friend!

  75. Louisa says:

    This tart is brilliant. I made it yesterday for my boy’s birthday, and it was very popular. I am going to make this again soon!!

  76. Hi there! I run a blog called Floptimism, and I’ve started a weekly post called the Weekend Wrap-Up where I feature some of my favorite web finds from the past week. I wanted to let you know that I loved this recipe so much that I included it in my round-up. Thank you for such a great idea, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

    http://floptimism.blogspot.com/2013/07/weekend-wrap-up-screaming-for-ice-cream.html

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