Delicious Cranberry Curd Tart Recipe (2024)

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With a smooth tangy filling and Biscoff crust, this cranberry curd tart is a must-make for the holidays. It’s as delicious as it is beautiful!

Need more amazing desserts for your holiday party? Creme brûlée, cranberry Christmas cake, and eggnog cheesecake are sure to win over the hearts of your guests!

Delicious Cranberry Curd Tart Recipe (1)

Biscoff Crust Cranberry Tart Recipe

Tart recipes have a special place in my heart. I’ve posted recipes for lemon, strawberry, and apple tarts- but I think this cranberry curd tart is my new favorite. Not only is it crazy festive, but it’s one of the most delicious holiday recipes I’ve ever tasted. Like lemon curd, cranberry curd is the perfect balance of tangy and sweet! This helps to balance out desserts so you don’t die of richness after one bite. I swear, I could eat a whole cranberry curd tart by myself. It’s so fruity and delicious! Cranberry pairs amazingly well with the nutty spiced flavor of Biscoff. Each bite is heaven!

And can we talk about how stunning this tart is? It’s a showstopper dessert for sure! The deep red curd filling will stand out wherever it goes. In this recipe, I’ve added a few sugared cranberries and rosemary sprigs on top as the final touch. It’s so easy to put together but looks like something you’d get from a bakery. With how good this tart both looks and tastes, you’ll want it front and center at your holiday dinner! Just make sure to save a piece or two for yourself. It’s going to go fast.

Cranberry Tart Ingredients

For a dessert this beautiful, it uses super simple ingredients! Simple is best- this way the amazing natural flavors of cranberry can shine through. See the recipe card below for measurements.

Biscoff Crust

  • Biscoff Cookie Crumbs: Spiced, nutty, with hints of caramel, Biscoff cookies pair perfectly with tart cranberry. I like to pop my cookies in a food processor to get them finely milled.
  • Brown Sugar: I add brown sugar for a deeper sweetness.
  • Unsalted Butter: Melted, unsalted butter will give your crust a richer flavor. It also helps it to solidify.

Cranberry Curd Filling

  • Fresh Cranberries: I find that fresh cranberries give the curd the best flavor, but you can use frozen cranberries as well. Fresh cranberries can be difficult to find, especially around the holidays when they’re in high demand.
  • Lemon and Orange Zest: I love the aromatics that citrus zest adds!
  • Lemon and Orange Juice: Adds a complex fruity flavor to the curd.
  • Granulated Sugar: Keeps the curd from being too sour. You can adjust the sweetness to your preference!
  • Large Eggs: Eggs help the curd to keep its shape and set in place.
  • Large Egg Yolks: Egg yolks alone add richness and moisture to the tart.
  • Unsalted Butter: I like mine to be at room temperature before I add it to the mix. This helps the curd consistency be as smooth as possible.
  • Salt: Just a dash is needed to enhance the overall flavor of your cranberry curd tart!
Delicious Cranberry Curd Tart Recipe (2)

Making Your Cranberry Curd Tart

Don’t be intimidated if you’ve never made a curd tart before! It’s actually really easy. Follow these straightforward steps and you’ll have the perfect Christmas dessert baking in no time!

Preparing the Crust

  1. Preheat: First, preheat the oven to 375° F.
  2. Blend and Mix: Use a food processor or blender to pulse whole cookies into crumbs. Once you have 2 cups of fine crumbs, add the brown sugar and melted butter to the food processor and mix together until fully combined.
  3. Press Into Pan: Next, press the crumb mixture into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch tart pan. Bake for about 7-8 minutes, until it just barely begins to brown. Allow to cool completely before adding the filling.

Making Curd Filling

  1. Cook Cranberries: In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, both zests, both juices, and sugar. Cook over medium-low heat until simmering. Continue until the cranberries have burst and the sugar has fully dissolved, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  2. Puree: Use an immersion blender or a regular blender to puree the mixture and press through a fine mesh sieve. Return strained liquid to the pot.
  3. Temper Eggs: In a small bowl, combine the whole eggs and egg yolks. Next, temper the eggs by slowly whisking in a cup of the warm cranberry mixture. Once the eggs are warmed, add the egg mixture into the pot and whisk until combined.
  4. Add Remaining Ingredients: Cook over low heat for about 10 minutes, until the mixture has thickened and is bubbling. Remove from the heat and whisk in the softened butter and a dash of salt.
  5. Transfer: Pour the curd into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap touching the surface of the curd so it doesn’t create a film as it cools.
  6. Chill: Let the curd chill in the fridge at least 3 hours before pouring into the chilled crust. Smooth the top and garnish with sugared cranberries and fresh rosemary before serving.
Delicious Cranberry Curd Tart Recipe (3)

Perfecting Your Curd

Curds can be a little tricky to get right. Here are a couple of steps to keep yours smooth and delicious!

  • Temperature: Your cooking temperature is the most important thing to be aware of when making a curd. If the temperature’s too high, your curd may burn and end up grainy. Temperature too low, and your curd won’t set. I like to cook on low to medium-low and stir constantly to keep my mixture from burning.
  • Add Eggs Slowly: When adding eggs to your warm cranberry mixture, add slowly and make sure temperature isn’t too high. You also want to make sure you are stirring constantly or else you run the risk of your eggs scrambling.
Delicious Cranberry Curd Tart Recipe (4)

Cranberry Curd Tart Tips and Variations

Your cranberry curd tart is going to be the star of the show. Use these tips and tricks to make the best one possible! It may just become a holiday tradition!

  • Make Curd Ahead: If you want to do some prep work ahead of time, the curd is great to make first. It can be stored for 1-2 weeks in the fridge before you add it to your crust.
  • Check Consistency: Before you add butter to your curd, one way to make sure it’s done is to see if it coats the back of a spoon. Also, add butter slowly until you reach your desired richness.
  • Add Spices: In addition to citrus zest, feel free to add other herbs and spices to your curd! Mint, cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg are all great ways to add a little extra flavor and aromatics to this holiday dessert.
  • Switch Crust: If you’re not a fan of Biscoff, you can use my grandma’s perfect pie crust instead. Using pie weights, bake until golden brown. It’s then ready for your cranberry filling!
Delicious Cranberry Curd Tart Recipe (5)

Storing Tart Leftovers

Here’s how to store your cranberry curd tart so you can enjoy it later! Trust me, with how tasty it is, you’re going to want more. Best have it on hand!

  • In the Refrigerator: Wrap your tart in plastic wrap or keep in an airtight container. It will last for 4-5 days.
Delicious Cranberry Curd Tart Recipe (6)

Other Cranberry Desserts to Try

Cranberry is the fruit of the season! Here are some other great ways to utilize this versatile superfood. You may just want to make these desserts year-round! They’rethat good!

Desserts

Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti

1 hr 5 mins

Breakfast

Orange Cranberry Muffins

55 mins

Side Dishes

Cranberry Cheesecake Fluff

4 hrs 10 mins

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Cranberry Curd Tart

5 from 5 votes

By: Alyssa Rivers

With a smooth tangy filling and Biscoff crust, this cranberry curd tart is a must-make for the holidays. It's as delicious as it is beautiful!

Prep Time: 45 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes

Chill: 3 hours hours

Total Time: 3 hours hours 53 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 slices

Ingredients

Crust

Curd Filling

Instructions

Crust

  • Preheat the oven to 375°.

  • Use a food processor or blender to pulse whole cookies into crumbs. Once you have 2 cups of fine crumbs add the brown sugar and melted butter to the food processor and mix together until fully combined.

  • Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch tart pan. Bake for about 7-8 minutes, until it just barely begins to brown. Allow to cool completely before adding the filling.

Curd Filling

  • In a medium saucepan combine the cranberries, both zests, both juices, and sugar. Cook over medium-low heat until simmering. Cook until the cranberries have burst and the sugar has fully dissolved for about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.

  • Use an immersion blender or a regular blender to puree the mixture and press through a fine-mesh sieve. Return strained liquid to the pot.

  • In a small bowl combine the whole eggs and egg yolks. Temper the eggs by slowly whisking in a cup of the warm cranberry mixture. Once the eggs are warmed, add the egg mixture into the pot and whisk until combined.

  • Cook over low heat for about 10 minutes, until the mixture has thickened and is bubbling. Remove from the heat and whisk in the softened butter and a dash of salt.

  • Pour the curd into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap touching the surface of the curd so it doesn’t create a film as it cools.

  • Let the curd chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours before pouring into the chilled crust. Smooth the top and garnish with sugared cranberries and fresh rosemary before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 201kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 86mgSodium: 17mgPotassium: 65mgFiber: 1gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 378IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

Read More About Me

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Delicious Cranberry Curd Tart Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you get the tartness out of cranberries? ›

Anything from a drizzle of honey to agave, maple syrup, or molasses will also fare well. After a few minutes of maceration, the sour fruit juices will mix with the sugar and alleviate some of the cranberries' natural tartness.

How do you know when curd tart is set? ›

It can take up to or even more than 20 minutes to bake fully but what you are looking for is set sides and a slight jiggle in the center – this is when it's done baking. The top will be matte all over. Let the tart cool to room temperature then chill it in the fridge for at least 4 hours.

Why is my cranberry sauce so tart? ›

Cranberries are bitter, tart and vibrant by nature, so cranberry sauce is sweetened to help balance their tartness. A basic cranberry sauce has only three ingredients: cranberries, water and sugar. Obviously, we can't lose the cranberries, but you can swap out the water for orange juice, apple cider or grape juice.

Why are cranberries so tart? ›

However, many of these processed goods tend to have a sweet edge that fresh cranberries don't. In fact, just-picked berries have a fairly acidic profile that can lean towards bitter given their concentration of astringent-presenting tannins.

What cancels out tartness? ›

How Do You Neutralize Sour Taste in Food? If a dish is too sour, add a little bit of sugar! Sweetness balances out sour flavors, so if something makes your mouth pucker, a dash of sugar may help soften the blow of the sour food.

How to make tart cranberry juice taste good? ›

I sweetened my juice with honey which adds a sweet floral touch to the beverage. I also use a couple of freshly squeezed oranges which gives the juice a nice hint of citrus flavor. I'm sure apple juice or apple cider would work well too.

How many hours does it take for curd to set? ›

While in a warm climate, the curd will take around 4 to 7 hours, while it will take a bit longer in winters. In a cool climate it can easily take around 8 to 10 hours. Make sure the temperature of the milk before setting the curd is warm enough during winters, otherwise the curd won't set properly.

Can you overcook curd? ›

What happens if I over-cook lemon curd? Overcooking will cause proteins to bond too tightly, squeezing water out from between them and giving them a rubbery, lumpy texture.

How do you fix curd that didn't set? ›

Remember that curd will thicken more once cooled. If your cooled curd is not thick enough, you can reheat it to thicken. Put it over a low heat, stirring constantly. Ensure it coats the back of a spoon before taking it off the heat.

How do you tame tartness in cranberry sauce? ›

Add A Splash Of Vinegar

While citrus is a natural pairing for cranberry sauce, bright, savory vinegars like sherry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and apple cider vinegar play well with the bitter-tart berries. Start with a little, then add more gradually.

How do you reduce the bitterness in cranberry sauce? ›

If your cranberry sauce comes out tasting too bitter, don't reach for the sugar. Granulated sugar might make the situation worse, especially if you don't have time to reheat the sauce so the sugar can dissolve properly. Instead, reach for another sweetener: maple syrup.

How do you take the bitterness out of homemade cranberry sauce? ›

"Instead, start by stirring in one tablespoon maple syrup and one teaspoon of a sweet drink like apple juice, orange juice, or fruity white or red wine. Add more to taste. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt (in small amounts, it intensifies sweetness)."

Why should cranberries not be eaten raw? ›

Is it safe to eat cranberries raw? Cranberries are generally considered safe whether they are cooked or raw. However, because of their notoriously bitter, sharp taste, most people prefer not to eat them raw or unsweetened. This bitterness is due to the high tannin content of cranberries.

How do you make cranberries taste better? ›

Add spices- Just a pinch of warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, allspice, clove, and nutmeg can add a different level of flavor. Try simmering a cinnamon stick with the cranberries. Add zest- orange zest, lemon, or lime zest are perfect for cranberry sauce. Orange peel and rosemary make excellent garnish!

Can you eat too many cranberries? ›

Safety and Side Effects. Cranberries and cranberry products are usually safe for most people if consumed in moderation. However, excessive consumption may cause stomach upset and diarrhea — and may also increase the risk of kidney stones in predisposed individuals.

How do you make cranberries less sour? ›

Sprinkle sugar over top; gently stir. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Sources: https://www.nutrition-and-you.com/cranberries.html.

How do you make cranberry juice less tart? ›

You can sweeten this to taste in your individual cup after pouring. To sweetened, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of maple syrup or unsweetened apple juice or pineapple juice.

How do you reduce sourness in cranberry juice? ›

If you don't like their sour taste, add some sugar to cut through the sourness. You can also store the cranberry juice in a sealed dark container till you feel like sipping on them at a later time.

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