Rhubarb White Chocolate Elderflower Tart (Print Version)

Elegant dessert with crisp shell, creamy white chocolate-elderflower custard, and tangy roasted rhubarb. Perfect for spring.

# What You'll Need:

→ Tart Crust

01 - 7 ounces all-purpose flour
02 - 3.5 ounces cold unsalted butter, cubed
03 - 1.75 ounces powdered sugar
04 - 1 large egg yolk
05 - 1-2 tablespoons cold water
06 - Pinch of salt

→ Custard Filling

07 - 5.25 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped
08 - 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon heavy cream
09 - 3 tablespoons whole milk
10 - 4 tablespoons elderflower cordial
11 - 3 large egg yolks
12 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Rhubarb Topping

14 - 10.5 ounces rhubarb, trimmed and cut into 2-inch batons
15 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
16 - Zest of 1 lemon
17 - 2 tablespoons elderflower cordial

# How to Make It:

01 - Pulse flour, butter, powdered sugar, and salt in a food processor until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add egg yolk and 1 tablespoon cold water; pulse until dough begins to come together, adding more water if needed. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
02 - Roll out dough on a floured surface to fit a 9-inch tart tin. Press into tin, trim edges, and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
03 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line crust with parchment and baking beans; blind bake for 15 minutes. Remove beans and parchment, bake 5-7 minutes more until golden. Allow to cool completely.
04 - Heat cream and milk in a saucepan until steaming but not boiling. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl until pale. Slowly pour hot cream mixture into yolks, whisking constantly.
05 - Return mixture to saucepan over low heat, stirring until slightly thickened and coating the back of a spoon. Remove from heat.
06 - Add white chocolate and elderflower cordial; stir until smooth. Pour custard into cooled tart shell. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until set.
07 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange rhubarb batons in a single layer in a baking dish. Sprinkle with sugar, lemon zest, and drizzle with elderflower cordial. Cover with foil and roast for 15 minutes. Remove foil, roast 5-8 minutes more until tender but not falling apart. Cool completely.
08 - Arrange cooled rhubarb over set custard. Optionally brush with extra elderflower cordial for shine. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • You can make everything ahead of time and assemble it last minute like a total pro
  • The contrast between tangy roasted rhubarb and silky white chocolate custard is the kind of sophisticated balance that makes people think you took pastry classes
  • Elderflower adds this mysterious floral note that keeps everyone guessing
02 -
  • The custard continues to set as it cools, so underbaking slightly is better than ending up with a rubbery texture
  • Rhubarb releases quite a bit of liquid while roasting, let it cool in the baking dish so it reabsorbs some of those flavorful juices
  • White chocolate can be finicky, if your seized custard looks grainy, whisk in a teaspoon of cold cream and it should smooth out
03 -
  • A sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the finished tart cuts through the sweetness and makes the white chocolate taste more complex
  • If you cant find elderflower cordial, rose water makes a beautiful substitute, though youll need slightly less
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