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Perfect Graduation Number Tart Cake 2026

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A festive and customizable number-shaped tart cake featuring a buttery crust, silky vanilla custard, and fresh fruit topping, perfect for celebrating graduations and special moments.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour – 1 1/4 cups (160g), sifted
  • Powdered sugar – 1/4 cup (30g)
  • Unsalted butter – 1/2 cup (115g), cold and cubed
  • Egg yolk – 1 large, room temperature
  • Cold water – 1-2 tablespoons
  • Pinch of salt
  • Whole milk – 1 cup (240ml)
  • Heavy cream – 1/2 cup (120ml)
  • Egg yolks – 3 large
  • Granulated sugar – 1/3 cup (65g)
  • Cornstarch – 2 tablespoons (15g)
  • Vanilla bean paste – 1 teaspoon
  • Fresh berries – about 2 cups total (strawberries sliced, blueberries, raspberries)
  • Kiwi slices (optional)
  • Apricot jam – 2 tablespoons, warmed and strained

Instructions

  1. Make the tart crust: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and rub it into the dry ingredients until mixture resembles coarse crumbs (about 5 minutes). Add egg yolk and 1 tablespoon cold water, mixing gently. Add more water if needed until dough holds together but isn’t sticky.
  2. Chill the dough: Form dough into a flat disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Shape the numbers: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Using number-shaped tart pans or templates, cut out digits ‘2026’. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheet or pans. Chill for 10 minutes.
  4. Bake the crust: Prick dough lightly with fork. Bake 15-20 minutes until edges are golden brown. Cool completely on wire rack.
  5. Prepare custard filling: Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Heat milk and cream until just simmering. Slowly pour hot milk mixture into egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Return to saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, whisking until thickened (3-5 minutes). Remove from heat, stir in vanilla bean paste, and strain through fine mesh sieve. Let cool slightly.
  6. Assemble tart: Spoon custard into each number crust, spreading evenly. Chill 20 minutes to set slightly.
  7. Add fruit topping: Arrange fresh berries and kiwi slices on custard surface.
  8. Glaze tart: Warm apricot jam until runny and brush over fruit to add shine.
  9. Serve & enjoy: Chill tart another 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Keep ingredients cold to ensure a tender crust. Chill dough before rolling and after shaping numbers to prevent shrinkage. Strain custard for smooth texture. Use fresh fruit for best results and pat dry to avoid soggy crust. If custard is too runny, cook a few more minutes on low heat without boiling.

Nutrition

Keywords: graduation cake, number tart cake, vanilla custard tart, fresh fruit tart, celebration dessert, easy tart recipe

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/perfect-graduation-number-tart-cake-2026-easy-step-by-step-recipe/