Elegant Strawberry Rose Tart Mother’s Day Dessert

Okay, can we talk about Mother’s Day desserts for a second? Because last year, when I hosted our family celebration at my house with all my siblings, I spent HOURS making these fancy individual chocolate soufflés that quite literally collapsed the moment everyone sat down. My sister still sends me soufflé memes randomly on Tuesdays.

This year, I’m all about beautiful and elegant Mother’s Day dessert recipes that won’t leave me hiding in the pantry stress-eating chocolate chips before guests arrive.

And honestly? This Strawberry Rose Tart has become my absolute favorite pretty Mother’s Day dessert that looks like you spent all day on it (but between us, it’s actually pretty simple).

The way those strawberry slices create rose patterns feels so perfect for Mother’s Day dessert recipes.

The best Mother’s Day desserts are the ones that make Mom feel special without keeping you chained to the kitchen all day. This cute Mother’s Day dessert definitely qualifies!

And of course, it makes a great dessert for any other occasion for which you want to impress with a fancy dessert, such as a birthday or other special occassion.

What Makes This Strawberry Rose Tart Perfect for Your Mother’s Day Desserts Table

Listen, I’ve tried a LOT of Mother’s Day desserts recipes in my day.

This tart is different, I promise. It combines a buttery, crisp shortbread crust with a silky vanilla bean mascarpone filling and those beautiful strawberry roses on top. It’s one of those easy Mother’s Day desserts that actually delivers on both looks AND taste.

The combination of textures makes this one of the best desserts for Mother’s Day brunches I’ve ever made. The flavor is light and not too sweet, with the natural strawberry tartness balancing the creamy filling perfectly.

Total time needed is about 2 hours, but here’s the secret for all my fellow last-minute planners: most of that is chilling time!

Actual hands-on work is just about 30 minutes, which leaves you plenty of time to frantically clean the living room before everyone arrives. Not that I speak from experience or anything.

Best of all, this tart can be assembled a day ahead (minus the strawberry topping) and finished just before serving. It’s perfect for homemade Mother’s Day desserts that won’t have you sweating through your cute brunch outfit.

Ingredients for this Simple Mother’s Day Dessert

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour (180g)
• ⅓ cup powdered sugar (40g)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed (113g)
• 1 egg yolk
• 2-3 tablespoons ice water
• 16 oz mascarpone cheese, room temperature (450g)
• ½ cup granulated sugar (100g)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or extract)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 pounds fresh strawberries (900g)
• 3 tablespoons strawberry jam
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions for this Easy Mother’s Day Dessert

1. Start by making the shortbread crust. In a food processor, combine the flour, powdered sugar, and salt with a few quick pulses.
2. Add the cold cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. This usually takes about 10-12 pulses or roughly the same amount of time it takes my son to ask “is it ready yet?” when I’m baking.
3. Add the egg yolk and 2 tablespoons of ice water, then pulse just until the dough begins to come together. If it seems too dry, add the remaining tablespoon of water.
4. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently form it into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This is the perfect time to scroll through TikTok for “just five minutes” and somehow lose half an hour.
5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the dough has chilled, roll it out on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
6. Carefully transfer the dough to a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press it into the pan and trim any excess. Prick the bottom several times with a fork.
7. Line the crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. I’ve been using the same jar of dried beans for “pie weights” for seven years. They’ve outlasted two phones and my daughter’s interest in competitive jump rope.
8. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the weights and parchment. Return the crust to the oven and bake for another 10-12 minutes, until golden brown. Set aside to cool completely.
9. While the crust cools, make the filling. In a large bowl, beat the mascarpone, sugar, vanilla bean paste, and lemon juice until smooth and creamy. Don’t overthink this step. My first attempt looked like cottage cheese because I got distracted watching the season finale of that K-drama I was binging.
10. Spread the filling evenly into the cooled tart shell. Place in the refrigerator while you prepare the strawberries.
11. Here comes the fun part! Hull the strawberries and slice them thinly, about ⅛-inch thick. You can stand the strawberry up and slice downward to get nice, even slices.
12. Starting at the outer edge of the tart, arrange the strawberry slices in an overlapping pattern, with the pointed ends facing outward. Each slice should overlap the previous one by about half.
13. Continue arranging the strawberries in concentric circles, working your way toward the center of the tart. The slices will naturally curve and create a rose-like appearance. This is where the magic happens for these pink Mother’s Day desserts!
14. For the center “bud” of each rose, roll one strawberry slice into a tight spiral and place it in the center. You might need to use a smaller, narrower slice for this.
15. Heat the strawberry jam in the microwave for about 20 seconds until it’s runny. Gently brush it over the strawberries to give them a beautiful shine that will make your Mother’s Day desserts aesthetic totally Instagram-worthy.
16. Garnish with fresh mint leaves all around the if desired. Refrigerate the tart for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow everything to set properly.

Storage Tips for These Easy Mother’s Day Desserts

I know everyone likes to write “oh we never have leftovers!” but let’s be real.

Sometimes you make too much food because you’re worried about not having enough, and then you’re eating strawberry tart for breakfast three days later. No judgment here!

This tart is best enjoyed the day it’s made, but you can prepare components ahead of time. The baked crust can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

The mascarpone filling can be spread in the crust and refrigerated overnight, making this one of those perfect quick and easy Mother’s Day desserts you can finish just before serving. If you have a fully assembled tart with leftovers, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Notes and Tricks for Mother’s Day Desserts Success

The key to those beautiful rose patterns is selecting strawberries of similar size and slicing them to equal thickness. I found that a really sharp knife makes all the difference here. I tried using my “good enough” knife the first time and ended up with strawberry massacre 2023.

For the absolute prettiest presentation of these strawberry desserts for Mother’s Day, look for berries that are bright red all the way through. Those pale ones from the off-season just won’t have the same visual impact.

If mascarpone is hard to find or outside your budget (because have you SEEN grocery prices lately?), you can substitute cream cheese mixed with a little heavy cream. The flavor will be slightly tangier, but still delicious for your spring desserts Mother’s Day spread.

Room temperature mascarpone is CRUCIAL for a smooth filling. I learned this the hard way when I tried to rush things during my book club’s Mother’s Day potluck last year and ended up with little lumps throughout my filling. Lisa still ate three slices, but she was being nice.

For a little extra something special to your Mother’s Day baking ideas desserts, try adding a thin layer of melted white chocolate between the crust and filling. This creates a barrier that keeps the crust crisp longer and adds another layer of flavor.

Elegant Pairing Suggestions for Your Mother’s Day Dessert at Brunch

This Strawberry Rose Tart pairs beautifully with so many spring beverages. A glass of prosecco or champagne turns this dessert into a true celebration worthy of all the special moms in your life.

For a non-alcoholic option for these desserts for Mother’s Day brunch, try serving it with a delicate strawberry-infused tea or a French press coffee with a splash of vanilla syrup. I served this to my Monday yoga group with lavender lemonade and they still talk about it.

If you’re serving this as part of a larger Mother’s Day brunch, consider balancing the sweetness with some savory options like a spring vegetable quiche or a beautiful avocado toast bar where everyone can customize their own.

This tart is also lovely following a light lunch of spring salads, especially ones featuring fresh greens, citrus, and light vinaigrettes. These light desserts for Mother’s Day won’t leave everyone in a food coma afterward!

Frequently Asked Questions About Mother’s Day Desserts Recipes

Can I make this tart gluten-free?

Absolutely! For Mother’s Day gluten-free options, simply substitute the all-purpose flour in this dessert with your favorite gluten-free flour blend. I’ve tested it with Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour with excellent results after my friend Anna discovered she had a gluten sensitivity.

What if strawberries aren’t in season or looking good at my store?

You can create beautiful “roses” with other fruits too! For lemon desserts for Mother’s Day, try a lemon curd filling with thinly sliced mango roses. Thinly sliced peaches, or even kiwi can work wonderfully for unique Mother’s Day desserts. Just adjust the jam glaze to match your fruit choice.

How far in advance can I make this tart for Mother’s Day?

I recommend baking the crust and preparing the filling the day before. Store the crust at room temperature and refrigerate the filling separately. The morning of Mother’s Day, assemble the tart, add the strawberry roses, and refrigerate until serving time. Perfect for those of us who need quick Mother’s Day desserts because we procrastinated!

Can I freeze this tart?

Unfortunately, this isn’t a great candidate for freezing. The mascarpone filling and fresh strawberries won’t maintain their texture once thawed. Trust me, I tried freezing a slice and it turned into something my cat Milo wouldn’t even investigate.

Do I need any special equipment to make this tart?

A 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom makes for the easiest serving experience for these recipes for Mother’s Day desserts, but if you don’t have one, you can use a regular pie dish. You’ll just need to serve slices directly from the dish rather than removing the whole tart.

Creative Ideas To Make This Mother’s Day Dessert Your Own

Add a Surprise Layer for Special Mother’s Day Desserts

Try spreading a thin layer of high-quality strawberry or raspberry preserves on the bottom of the cooled crust before adding the mascarpone filling. This adds a beautiful flavor contrast and makes each bite even more exciting.

After Lisa tried my tart at book club last month, she went home and made her own version with a layer of chocolate ganache beneath the mascarpone, which works great if you’re looking for chocolate desserts for Mother’s Day. The woman’s a genius, seriously. It was better than mine, which I would be annoyed about if I wasn’t so busy eating it.

Individual Mini Tarts for Cute Mother’s Day Desserts

For a Mother’s Day brunch where everyone gets their own special dessert, divide the crust and filling among six 4-inch tart pans.

Top each with its own strawberry rose for a personalized touch that feels extra thoughtful and makes these individual Mother’s Day desserts feel extra special.

I did something similar for my daughter’s ballet recital last year, and those tiny tarts disappeared faster than my willpower at a farmers market.

The girls felt so grown-up with their individual fancy desserts! My daughter actually hugged me in public, which never happens anymore since she turned 13.

Final Thoughts on Creating Happy Mother’s Day Desserts Memories

When I think about what makes Mother’s Day meaningful, it’s rarely about elaborate gifts. I mean, the macaroni necklace my son made me three years ago is still my favorite piece of “jewelry” even though the pasta is starting to disintegrate.

This Strawberry Rose Tart is a way to show Mom that she deserves something beautiful that was made with love and attention to detail.

Whether you’re celebrating your mom, grandmother, aunt, mentor or friend this Mother’s Day, I hope this Strawberry Rose Tart helps make your Mother’s Day desserts as sweet and beautiful as she is.

And if you want to make her day even more special, take a look at these Mother’s Day breakfast ideas to maker her day extra memorable.

Save this pin for the perfect celebration!