Pastry cream tart topped with fresh seasonal fruits is Italy's most beautiful dessert. This colorful mediterranean creation celebrates family baking and fresh produce.
Prepare the shortcrust dough: In a bowl, beat 0.75 cups butter with 0.5 cups sugar until creamy, then mix in 1 egg and 1.75 cups flour gradually with a pinch of salt. Do not overwork; stop as soon as dough forms. Chill for 30 minutes.
Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thick. Gently press into a 9-inch tart pan, trim excess, and prick the base with a fork. Chill 10 more minutes to prevent shrinking.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line dough with parchment and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 18 minutes, then remove weights and bake another 8-10 minutes until golden. Allow to cool on a rack to retain crispness.
Make the pastry cream: In a saucepan, whisk together 1 egg, 2 cups milk, 3 tbsp cornstarch, 0.5 cups sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla. Cook gently over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the cream thickens and just bubbles. Remove from heat; stir in lemon zest.
Pour the pastry cream into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap touching the surface to prevent a skin, and let cool completely. Once both crust and cream are cool, spread cream evenly in tart shell.
Arrange sliced strawberries, kiwi, and blueberries decoratively on top. Warm 2 tbsp apricot jam until liquid and brush gently over fruit to glaze.
Refrigerate the completed crostata for at least 1 hour to set. Slice with a sharp knife and enjoy chilled.