Stone Fruit Custard Tart
3.9
(17)

This tart is a late-summer showstopper yet surprisingly simple to make. The crust and filling both come together in a food processor, so chances are slicing the fruit may be the most time-consuming step. This modest effort results in a cookie-like crust that cradles a supple but not overly sweet custard. The stone fruit bakes to softness inside as the exposed tips become burnished and the flavors concentrated.
Recipe information
Total Time
2 hours, 10 minutes, plus chilling
Yield
16 servings
Ingredients
Crust
Filling and assembly
Special equipment
Preparation
Crust
Step 1
Preheat an oven to 375°F. Cook butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, until it foams, then browns, 5–8 minutes. Set aside.
Step 2
Pulse pistachios in a food processor until finely ground. Transfer 4 Tbsp. to a small bowl; set aside.
Step 3
Scrape reserved browned butter over pistachios in food processor; add egg, brown sugar, flour, salt, and baking powder. Pulse until incorporated, then process, scraping down sides as needed, until mixture looks like wet sand and holds together when squeezed in your hand, about 2 minutes.
Step 4
Press dough evenly into bottom and about 2" up sides of pan with a straight-sided glass or measuring cup. Chill while you make the filling.
Filling and assembly
Step 5
Process eggs and brown sugar in clean food processor until eggs are well combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down sides; add sour cream, vanilla bean paste, cardamom, ginger, orange zest, and salt. Sprinkle flour and 2 Tbsp. reserved pistachios over; process until smooth, about 1 minute.
Step 6
Starting at the edges of the chilled tart shell and working inward, arrange stone fruit in snug concentric circles, standing each wedge up so one tip is raised and rounded skin side is pressed against crust. Carefully pour custard around fruit (fruit should not be completely covered). Sprinkle coarse sugar over.
Step 7
Bake pie until crust is golden brown and filling is puffed and set in the center (it shouldn’t wobble when gently shaken), 70–75 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and scatter remaining reserved 2 Tbsp. pistachios over. Let cool, then chill, uncovered, until fully set.
Step 8
Unmold tart. Dust with powdered sugar and/or top with dollops of whipped cream or crème fraîche if desired. Serve chilled or room temperature.