Name: Maple Mascarpone Fruit Tart Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed; 4 ounces mascarpone cheese (half of an 8 ounce tub); 6-8 plums, sliced and pitted; 1/4 cup real maple syrup; Confectioners sugar, for dusting; Ice cream, to serve

There’s something so effortlessly charming about a flaky puff pastry kissed with creamy mascarpone and fresh fruit—especially when finished with a drizzle of real maple syrup. This Maple Mascarpone Fruit Tart Recipe is my go-to for an elegant dessert that comes together in no time, yet wows every single time.

The image shows a square fruit tart with a golden-brown flaky crust that looks crisp and slightly puffed. On top, there are eight sections of thinly sliced yellow fruit, arranged in overlapping rows that create a layered texture. Two round scoops of white ice cream sit on the tart, slightly melting and spreading over the fruit. The fruit slices have a light dusting of powdered sugar for a soft white contrast. The tart is on a dark textured surface, and three pieces have been cut from the bottom edge, revealing the thick, flaky crust and the creamy layer beneath the fruit. A woman’s hand is reaching towards the tart, and metal forks are visible on the side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Maple Mascarpone Fruit Tart Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Maple Mascarpone Fruit Tart Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Maple Mascarpone Fruit Tart Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I absolutely adore how this tart transforms just four simple ingredients into a stunning, crowd-pleasing dessert. It’s a perfect balance of textures and flavors that feels fancy but is honestly so simple anyone can make it.

Minimal Ingredients: Just four basic ingredients make this tart both foolproof and budget-friendly.
Quick to Make: From prep to bake, it takes only about 40 minutes total—perfect for last-minute guests.
Versatile Flavors: Swap out plums for apples, pears, or figs anytime you want to switch it up.
Perfect Presentation: The glossy maple finish and golden crust make it look professionally made every time.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Choosing the right ingredients really makes this tart shine. Be sure to pick ripe, firm plums for that perfect balance of sweet and tart, and definitely grab real maple syrup—it adds a beautiful flavor layer that imitation syrups can’t match.

Flat lay of a single sheet of golden thawed puff pastry, a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth mascarpone cheese, six ripe purple plums with a natural matte skin, a small white bowl containing amber maple syrup, and a delicate dusting of fine white confectioners sugar artfully sprinkled nearby, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Frozen puff pastry: The flaky, buttery base that bakes up golden and crisp without any fuss.
Mascarpone cheese: Creamy and mild, mascarpone gives a luscious richness to balance the fruit’s brightness.
Plums: I like to use 6 to 8, sliced thin for a beautiful layering effect and juicy bite.
Maple syrup: Pure and real, this sweetener adds a glossy finish and subtle warmth.
Confectioners sugar: A light dusting at the end makes the tart look extra special.
Ice cream: A scoop on the side makes it an indulgent treat—vanilla is a classic pairing.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This Maple Mascarpone Fruit Tart Recipe is wonderfully versatile, allowing you to tailor it to your taste and what’s fresh at your market. Swap fruits, adjust toppings, or experiment with garnishes to make this tart uniquely yours.

Seasonal Fruit Swap: I often replace the plums with crisp apples or ripe pears in the fall. The tart sweetness of apples pairs beautifully with the creamy mascarpone and maple syrup, making it a cozy autumn treat.
Dairy-Free Delight: For friends who avoid dairy, I substitute mascarpone with a vegan cream cheese alternative and use non-dairy ice cream. The flavor stays rich and comforting without compromise.
Spiced Variation: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg over the mascarpone before layering the fruit elevates the flavor and adds a warm spice note that’s especially lovely in cooler months.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Maple Mascarpone Fruit Tart Recipe

A close-up view of a golden brown puff pastry tart with finely sliced layered pears arranged in rows inside the pastry’s edge. The pears have a shiny glaze and a light dusting of powdered sugar. On top of the pears is a single scoop of creamy white ice cream that looks smooth and cold. Two vintage silver forks rest next to the ice cream on the tart. The tart is placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven & Prep the Pastry

Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures that it’s nice and hot for a perfectly flaky crust. While the oven warms, lay your thawed sheet of puff pastry on a piece of parchment paper and gently roll it out into a slightly longer rectangle. This gives you enough surface to work with, and helps the edges crisp beautifully during baking.

Step 2: Spread the Creamy Mascarpone

Using a spatula or the back of a spoon, evenly spread 4 ounces of mascarpone cheese across the puff pastry, stopping about 1.5 inches from the edges. Leaving this border is key—it becomes the golden crust that frames your tart and keeps all that delicious fruit filling in place.

Step 3: Slice and Arrange the Plums

Slice your plums in half and remove the pits. Then, cut each half into thin slices, keeping the slices together to lay them out nicely on the mascarpone. Arrange these plum slices neatly, allowing their natural sweet juices to mingle with the cheese below, creating that irresistible richness.

Step 4: Form the Crust Edge & Add the Maple Syrup

Gently roll up the edges of the puff pastry toward the fruit filling, creating a raised border that will hold in all those lovely juices as it bakes. Next, generously brush the exposed fruit and the crust edge with ¼ cup of real maple syrup. This step adds sweetness and a gorgeous glossy finish once baked.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Glossy

Slide the tart (on its parchment paper) into the preheated oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the crust turns a perfect golden brown, the fruit is bubbling with a shiny glaze, and the mascarpone is gently sizzling underneath.

Step 6: Finish with a Dusting and Serve Warm

Once out of the oven, let the tart rest for a few minutes. Then, if you like, dust it lightly with confectioners sugar for an elegant touch. Cut into 12 squares and serve warm with a scoop of your favorite ice cream—vanilla or cinnamon work beautifully. Enjoy every comforting, sweet bite!

Top Tip

These tips will help you get the best results and enjoy every step of making this delightful Maple Mascarpone Fruit Tart Recipe!

Thaw Puff Pastry Completely: I always make sure the puff pastry is fully thawed before rolling it out. It makes it easier to handle and helps achieve that perfect flaky crust.
Keep Fruit Slices Neat: Slicing and keeping plum halves intact before arranging helps the tart look gorgeous and bake evenly — a little detail that really pays off.
Generous Maple Brush: Don’t be shy with the maple syrup brush on both fruit and crust. It creates that irresistible gloss and adds a lovely sweetness that bakes in beautifully.
Don’t Skip the Crust Fold: Rolling up the edges to create a raised crust prevents juices from spilling over and keeps everything neat. Avoiding this was one mess I learned from my first attempt!

How to Serve Maple Mascarpone Fruit Tart Recipe

The image shows a rectangular tart with a light beige crust that is thick and folded over neatly around the edges. Inside the crust, there is a layer of smooth cream or custard that fills the whole middle area. On top of this layer, there are about twelve green and yellow apple halves arranged in a grid, each one sliced thinly and fanned out evenly, revealing their juicy texture. The apples have a shiny glaze on them that makes them look fresh and moist. The tart is on white parchment paper, placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

A light dusting of confectioners sugar never fails to add a lovely delicate finish and extra sweetness. For a little indulgence, serve warm slices with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream – it melts just a bit, creating an amazing creamy contrast with the plums.

Side Dishes

This tart shines as a dessert on its own, but if you want to create a fuller treat, pair with a simple green salad or a bright citrusy sorbet to refresh the palate between bites.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover tart in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days to keep the puff pastry crisp and the mascarpone fresh.

Freezing

You can freeze unbaked tart assembled in a baking dish, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil, for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before brushing with maple syrup and baking as usual.

Reheating

Reheat leftover slices in a 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes to revive that crisp crust and warm the mascarpone just right without melting the ice cream topping you might want to add later.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fruits other than plums for this tart?

Absolutely! This Maple Mascarpone Fruit Tart Recipe works wonderfully with apples, pears, figs, or any firm fruit you prefer. Just slice them thinly and arrange as you would the plums.

Is it important to use real maple syrup?

Yes, using real maple syrup gives the tart its signature sweetness and glossy finish. I recommend avoiding imitation syrups to get the authentic flavor this recipe is known for.

Can I make a dairy-free version?

You can! Substitute mascarpone with a vegan cream cheese alternative and pair with your favorite non-dairy ice cream for a delicious dairy-free treat.

What's the best way to serve this tart?

The tart is delightful warm or at room temperature. I love serving it with a dusting of confectioners sugar and a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream to complement the sweet plums and creamy mascarpone.

Final Thoughts

This Maple Mascarpone Fruit Tart Recipe is one of those lovely quick desserts that looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. With just four simple ingredients and under 40 minutes, you create a flaky, creamy, fruity delight that can impress any guest or satisfy your own sweet craving. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients and a bit of care can make magic happen – I can’t wait for you to try it and enjoy every bite!