Rhubarb White Chocolate Elderflower Tart (Printable)

Crisp tart shell with white chocolate elderflower custard and tangy roasted rhubarb. A stunning spring dessert.

# Ingredient List:

→ Tart Crust

01 - 1.75 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 7 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
03 - 0.33 cup powdered sugar
04 - 1 large egg yolk
05 - 1-2 tablespoons cold water
06 - Pinch of salt

→ Custard Filling

07 - 5.3 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped
08 - 1 cup heavy cream
09 - 3.4 tablespoons whole milk
10 - 0.25 cup elderflower cordial
11 - 3 large egg yolks
12 - 2.1 tablespoons granulated sugar
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Rhubarb Topping

14 - 10.6 ounces rhubarb, trimmed and cut into 2-inch batons
15 - 0.33 cup granulated sugar
16 - Zest of 1 lemon
17 - 2 tablespoons elderflower cordial

# Directions:

01 - In a food processor, pulse flour, cold butter, powdered sugar, and salt until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add egg yolk and 1 tablespoon cold water; pulse until dough begins to come together, adding more water as needed. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
02 - Roll out chilled dough on a floured surface to fit a 9-inch tart tin. Press into tin, trim edges, and chill for 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F.
03 - Line tart crust with parchment paper and fill with baking beans. Blind bake for 15 minutes. Remove beans and parchment, then bake 5-7 minutes more until golden. Cool completely before filling.
04 - In a saucepan, heat cream and milk until steaming but not boiling. Do not allow to boil.
05 - Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl until pale and ribbon-like. Slowly pour hot cream mixture into yolks while whisking constantly to temper.
06 - Return mixture to saucepan over low heat, stirring continuously until slightly thickened and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat immediately.
07 - Add finely chopped white chocolate and elderflower cordial to custard. Stir until completely smooth and well combined.
08 - Pour warm custard into cooled tart shell. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until custard is fully set.
09 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange rhubarb batons in a single layer in a baking dish. Sprinkle with sugar and lemon zest, then drizzle with elderflower cordial.
10 - Cover baking dish with foil and roast for 15 minutes. Remove foil and continue roasting 5-8 minutes more until rhubarb is tender but holds its shape. Cool completely.
11 - Arrange cooled rhubarb batons over set custard filling. Optionally, brush with additional elderflower cordial for glossy finish. Chill until ready to serve.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It can be assembled completely ahead of time, leaving you free to enjoy your guests instead of hovering in the kitchen.
  • The floral sweetness of elderflower balances the rhubarb's sharpness in a way that feels sophisticated yet comforting.
  • Every slice looks like it came from a bakery window, with those gorgeous pink rhubarb batons on top.
  • The creamy white chocolate custard is smooth and rich without being heavy or overly sweet.
02 -
  • Don't skip chilling the dough between steps, warm pastry shrinks and puffs unevenly in the oven.
  • Temper your egg yolks slowly when adding the hot cream or you'll end up with sweet scrambled eggs instead of custard.
  • Let the rhubarb cool completely before topping the tart, or the heat will melt the custard and ruin the clean layers.
03 -
  • Brushing the baked tart shell with a thin layer of melted white chocolate before adding the custard creates a moisture barrier that keeps the crust crisp for longer.
  • If your rhubarb pieces are uneven in thickness, separate the thicker stalks and give them a few extra minutes in the oven so everything roasts evenly.
  • Always check your white chocolate label to make sure it contains cocoa butter, not just vegetable oil, or the custard won't set properly.
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