Fillings for Tarts and Pastries

This section contains a number of fillings for tarts and pastries, both sweet and savory. More tart and pastry fillings can be found in the cakes chapter and in the custards chapter.

Almost all fruit tarts have a layer of filling spread over the tart shell before the fruit is added. The filling helps hold the fruit in place and balances its flavor by providing sweetness and, at times, a tangy acidity. If the filling and fruit are cooked together in the tart, the filling absorbs liquid released by the fruit and helps prevent the crust from getting soggy.