Picture Perfect Summer Fruit Tarts

These two tarts showcase seasonal summer fruits in very different ways. The first is a light sponge cake topped with fresh fruit. The second (coming in my next blog) features a crisp almond crust baked with juicy summer fruit. Try them both for rave revues!

Fresh Fruit Tart (Parve)

Bake a simple sponge cake in a specially-designed recessed pan. (* see note below) Then turn the cake upside down and fill it with sliced fresh fruit. Stunning!

¾ cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 eggs

½ cup sugar

1 teaspoon lemon zest

2 tablespoons water

4-5 cups fresh berries, cherries or sliced peaches, plums, nectarines, apricots or figs

Red currant jelly or strained apricot jam, for glazing

One 10-11" (25-27.5cm) round recessed pan (see note below)

Preheat the oven to 325 F (165C)

Spray the baking pan generously with cooking spray.

Whisk together the flour and baking powder and set aside.

Combine the eggs, sugar and lemon zest in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat on high speed until thick, creamy and pale. (This may take up to 10 minutes.) Reduce the speed, add the water and continue to beat on high, until the mixture is foamy.

Stop the mixer, add the flour mixture and mix on low speed, just until blended.

Pour the batter into the well-sprayed baking pan and bake for 15-18 minutes, until the top of the cake feels springy to the touch. Cool the cake on a rack for 10 minutes. Carefully invert it onto a cake dish to cool completely. (You may need a small knife to loosen the cake from the scalloped edges of the pan.)

When the cake is completely cool, arrange the fruit in circular patterns, starting along the outside and working in. I like to arrange sliced fruit around the outside and berries in the middle.

Heat the jelly or jam just to thin it, and brush it over the fruit. It will give it a nice glaze and prevent it from discoloring.

* The pan is called a flan, shortcake or Mary Ann pan. You can find it on-line at www.cookswares.com Use a standard tart pan if you can't find one.

Serves 8-10

Coming Next... Almond Fruit Tart