baked desserts

Austrian Vanilla Cherry Tart

Name: Austrian Vanilla Cherry Tart
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 195 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: International
Ingredients: For the Vanilla Cream:; 2 eggs; 225 g granulated sugar; 100 g cornstarch; 750 ml whole milk; 75 g unsalted butter; 10 ml vanilla extract; For the Dough:; 2 eggs; 90 g granulated sugar; 10 ml vanilla extract; 90 g unsalted butter ( melted); 350 g all-purpose flour; 5 g baking powder; For the Filling:; 500 g frozen cherries; 100 g chocolate chips; Optional Topping:; 25 g sliced almonds; 10 g powdered sugar (for dusting)

By Iulia|Medium|No ratings yet

Jump to Recipe

There’s something timeless about European fruit tarts. A buttery pastry, silky vanilla custard, juicy cherries, and a hint of chocolate come together to create a dessert that's both elegant and comforting. It's the kind of recipe that looks impressive enough for special occasions while being simple enough to bake at home.

The character of a great tart comes from contrast: a structured crust, a smooth custard, and fruit that keeps every bite lively.

What I love most about this Austrian vanilla cherry tart is the contrast of textures. The tender buttery crust supports a rich vanilla custard, while the cherries add bursts of sweetness and the chocolate chips melt into little pockets of indulgence throughout the tart.

Why You'll Love This Austrian Vanilla Cherry Tart

This Austrian vanilla cherry tart is creamy, buttery, and packed with juicy cherries. The smooth vanilla custard pairs beautifully with the tender pastry, while the chocolate chips add a rich surprise in every bite.

I love how it feels like something from a European bakery while using simple pantry ingredients.

The Ingredients That Make This Tart So Good

Vanilla custard: Creates a silky, creamy filling that's rich without being too heavy.
Frozen cherries: Add freshness, natural sweetness, and a slight tartness.
Butter: Gives both the pastry and custard a rich, smooth flavor.
Chocolate chips: Melt into the filling, adding little bursts of chocolate throughout the tart.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the custard and complements the cherries beautifully.
Almond flakes: Add a delicate crunch and an elegant finish.

Helpful Tips Before You Start Baking

Allow the custard to cool slightly before spreading it over the pastry.
Don't thaw the cherries completely if using frozen—they'll release less moisture while baking.
Spread the chocolate chips evenly over the cherries for balanced flavor.
Sprinkle the almond flakes on top just before baking.
Let the tart cool before slicing so the custard has time to set.

The Best Way to Store Austrian Vanilla Cherry Tart

Store the tart covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Because of the custard filling, it should remain chilled until serving.

For the best flavor, let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving.

Austrian Vanilla Cherry Tart Questions Answered

Can I use fresh cherries instead of frozen?

Yes. Fresh cherries work beautifully when they're in season. Just pit them before using.

Can I replace the cherries with another fruit?

Absolutely. Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, plums, or apricots all pair wonderfully with the vanilla custard.

Why add chocolate chips?

The chocolate melts into the custard while baking, adding extra richness and balancing the slight tartness of the cherries.

Can I make this tart a day ahead?

Yes. In fact, the flavors develop even more after chilling overnight, making it an excellent make-ahead dessert.

Recipe Card

Austrian Vanilla Cherry Tart

This Austrian Vanilla Cherry Tart is a rich, comforting dessert made with a soft homemade crust, juicy cherries, chocolate chips, and a thick vanilla custard filling. The tart cherries balance the sweetness of the cream beautifully, while the almond flakes add a delicate crunch on top. I love this recipe because it looks elegant enough for a holiday table but is still made with simple, familiar ingredients. Frozen cherries make it easy to prepare at any time of year, and the custard becomes wonderfully creamy once the tart has cooled. Serve it with a light dusting of powdered sugar for a beautiful homemade dessert that pairs perfectly with coffee or tea.

Timer

35 min

Prep Time

Heat

40 min

Cook Time

Chill

2 hr

Chill Time

Total

195 min

Total Time

Serves

Servings

Ingredients

12 servings

For the Vanilla Cream:
2 eggs
1 1/8 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup cornstarch
3 1/8 cups whole milk
5.3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Dough:
2 eggs
7.2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
6.3 tablespoons unsalted butter - melted
3 cups all-purpose flour
0.18 oz baking powder
For the Filling:
1.1 lb frozen cherries
3.5 oz chocolate chips
Optional Topping:
3.5 tablespoons sliced almonds
2.4 teaspoons powdered sugar - for dusting

Measurements are converted for convenience and may be approximate.

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to **350°F (180°C)**. Grease a **31 × 21 cm (12 × 8-inch)** baking pan with butter.
2
Add the eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl. Mix well until the ingredients are fully combined.
3
Pour in the melted butter and continue mixing until smooth.
4
Combine the flour with the baking powder. Add the dry ingredients gradually to the wet mixture, mixing after each addition rather than adding all the flour at once.
5
Continue mixing until a soft, smooth dough forms.
6
Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan. Press it evenly across the bottom and up the sides to create a raised border around the filling.
7
Scatter the frozen cherries evenly over the dough.
8
Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the cherries.
9
To prepare the vanilla cream, add the eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract to a saucepan. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
10
Add the cornstarch and mix thoroughly until no lumps remain.
11
Gradually pour in the milk while whisking continuously until the mixture is completely smooth.
12
Place the saucepan over low heat. Cook the cream while stirring constantly until it thickens to a smooth, custard-like consistency.
13
Turn off the heat and add the butter. Stir well until the butter has completely melted and the cream is smooth.
14
Pour the hot vanilla cream evenly over the cherries and chocolate chips.
15
Gently bend the raised dough edges inward over the filling to create a neat border around the tart.
16
Sprinkle almond flakes over the top, using as much as you like.
17
Bake for **40 minutes at 350°F (180°C)**, or until the pastry edges are golden and the vanilla filling is set.
18
Remove the tart from the oven and let it cool completely before slicing.
19
Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

📊Nutritional Information(per serving)

467kcal

Calories

73g

Carbohydrates

11g

Protein

15g

Fat

34g

Sugar

Fiber

77mg

Sodium

Whole Recipe Estimate

12 servings

5601 kcal876g carbs136g protein180g fat406g sugar

Nutrition Disclaimer: The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.

#desserts #breakfast #snacks #chocolate-desserts #fruit-desserts #baked-desserts #high-protein-breakfast #sweet-breakfast #savory-breakfast #high-protein-snacks #quick-snacks

Pin this recipe for later

Save one of these recipe pins to your favorite board so it is easy to find again.

Austrian Vanilla Cherry Tart Pinterest pin

Reader Reviews

Tried this recipe?

Leave a rating and a short note to help other readers decide what to cook next.

★★★★★

No reviews yet

Iulia and Ciprian, creators of Craveable

Meet the cooks

Iulia & Ciprian

We are the couple behind Craveable, sharing real-food recipes that are tested, photographed, and easy to love.

About us

Join the list

Get our latest recipes, kitchen tips, and new favorites straight to your inbox.

Recommended Recipes

Moist Raspberry Lemon Cake

View recipe

Moist Mixed Fruit Cake

View recipe

Puff Pastry Nutella Croissants

View recipe