Name: Star Spangled Lemon Berry Tart
Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups unsalted butter; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3 cups all purpose flour; 1/4 cup granulated sugar, for star cookies; 4 ounces cream cheese, (softened); 1/3 cup sugar; 2 tablespoons heavy cream; 1/3 cup lemon curd, (homemade or store-bought); 16 ounces strawberries, stems removed and chopped; 6 ounces raspberries; 1/2 pint blueberries; 6 ounces blackberries

close up of lemon berry tart with fresh fruit on it and topped with shortbread cookie stars

This Star Spangled Lemon Berry Tart has a buttery shortbread crust, a creamy lemon curd filling and is topped with fresh fruit and shortbread star cookies. This red, white and blue dessert is perfect for Memorial Day and Fourth of July celebrations!

Every year my family hosts a big family reunion around the 4th of July. This means there’s a lot of red, white and blue themed food. Last year I made this lemon berry tart to take one of the days and loved how it turned out. So I’m sharing it here!

This lemon berry tart is a perfect summer dessert – it’s sweet and delicious yet at the same time light and refreshing. I typically go for rich, indulgent desserts, but this one is a little on the lighter side. But it’s still so delicious. That creamy lemon curd filling really puts it over the top and goes so well with the shortbread and fresh fruit!

slab tart with shortbread crust, lemon filling, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and shortbread star cookies on it

The shortbread star cookies are a fun touch to add, but don’t need to be added. It is a little bit more time and work (but worth it in my book!). The dessert will still look patriotic from the fruit and filling.

For more berry inspired desserts, be sure to check out our watermelon fruit pizza and creamy fruit pizzelles.

berry tart cut into four square pieces sitting on dark cookie sheet

close up picture of cut piece of lemon berry tart with blueberries, raspberry, strawberry and blackberry on it topped with shortbread star cookie on it

fresh berry tart on cookie sheet with one end cut into 4 squares pieces

5 from 3 votes

Star Spangled Lemon Berry Tart

Shortbread crust with a creamy lemon curd filling and topped with fresh berries and shortbread cookie stars.

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust:

1-1/2 cups unsalted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar, for star cookies

Lemon Cream Cheese Filling:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1/3 cup lemon curd, homemade or store-bought

Fresh Fruit:

(Fruit measurements are approximate, use as much of each as you like!)

16 ounces strawberries, stems removed and chopped
6 ounces raspberries
1/2 pint blueberries
6 ounces blackberries

Instructions

Shortbread Crust:

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a 10"x15" baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a stand mixer, mix together butter, powdered sugar, vanilla and salt until well combined.
Gradually mix in the flour until dough comes together.
Form the dough into a ball, and remove about a 1/4 of the dough. Set that aside.
Press the larger portion of dough onto bottom and just slightly up the edges of prepared pan.
Using a fork, poke holes throughout the crust.
Bake at 350ºF for 20-24 min or until golden. Set aside to cool.

To Make the Shortbread Star Cookies:

With the remaining small portion of dough, roll the dough out to about 1/8-inch thickness on lightly floured surface. Cut into small star shapes with cookie cutter.
In a small bowl, place granulated sugar. Dip the star cutouts into sugar, turning to coat both sides.
Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Using a small fork or toothpick, poke a few holes gently in stars.
Bake at 350ºF for 7-9 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are just turning golden.

Lemon Cream Cheese Filling:

Using a stand or hand mixer, combine softened cream cheese and sugar and mix until smooth and creamy.
Add the heavy cream and mix on medium speed for about 1 minute.
Fold in the lemon curd until completely combined.

Assembly:

Spread the lemon cream cheese filling over baked, cooled crust.
Top lemon filling with fruit.
Add star cookies on top of fruit.
Cut into squares and serve.

Recipe Notes

The lemon filling can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator.

lemon berry tart cut into square on dark cookie sheet

Be sure to check out our Food & Recipe Pinterest Board for more inspiration!

-Manda

3 comments

LandyFriday, May 23, 2025 - 9:30 am

Made this for a party and it was a huge hit! I used store bought lemon curd. Love the recipe! It’s so fresh and creamy. Definitely will be making this again in the future.ReplyCancel
christenWednesday, May 28, 2025 - 9:43 am

oh my gosh, i love this lemon filling!! i could just eat it by the spoonful, so good, as was the whole tart.ReplyCancel
MorganWednesday, May 28, 2025 - 11:03 am

This recipe is fantastic! It was fun & easy. I would definitely recommend it and will make it again!ReplyCancel