Here at Eat Out HQ we love a good bake-off. We’ve previously celebrated pies (15 recipes to pies for) and have done more than our fair share of cake worship (10 cake recipes to restore your faith in humankind and 30 cakes that will make everything OK). But we thought it was perhaps time to raise the tone a bit, to graduate to more fancy – and ever-so-slightly more French – tarts. Some recipes call for ready-made pastry and cream cheese; some need fresh fruit or aged cheese; and others require you to roll up your sleeves and roll out the dough… but rest assured that all are absolutely irresistible. (This badger pretty much sums up our feelings on the matter.)

Cheesy

Feta tart
This simple, beautiful tart is great accompanied by a delicious pickle or relish for a braai or roast.

Free-form sweet fig and ricotta tart
Calling for sweet, juicy figs, a hint of vanilla blended into ricotta, and golden brown pastry, this dessert is both simple and scrumptious.

Free-form sweet fig and ricotta tart

Potato, taleggio and spinach tart
The use of flavoursome Italian cheeses, taleggio and parmesan, make this potato and baby spinach tart a moreish, tasty option.

Potato, taleggio and spinach tart

Slow-roasted tomato and gruyère tart
Sweet, slow-roasted tomatoes combine with nutty gruyère in this winning recipe.

Slow-roasted tomato and gruyère tart

Smoked salmon, baby marrow and cream cheese tart
Spring onions and a sprinkle of black pepper add zing to this decadent tart recipe. Made with ready-made puff pastry, it couldn’t be simpler.

Spinach, sweet pepper and feta phyllo tart
Bernadette Le Roux, author of vegetarian cookbook Roots, Shoots & Leaves, says, “This is really like a quiche, but in a phyllo casing. The edges of phyllo, when left uncut and folded upwards before baking, make for a visually appetising dish that looks as good as it tastes.”

Spinach, sweet pepper and feta phyllo tart

Upside-down caramelised shallot and camembert tart
Whip up this French-style tart for a picnic lunch or light dinner.

Upside-down caramelised shallot and camembert tart

Wild mushroom, potato and goat’s cheese tart
This impossible-to-resist tart recipe hails from Hilda’s Kitchen at Groote Post.

Savoury

Chorizo and caramelised onion tart
It’s hard not to fall in the love with this tart. Beautiful and delicious, it’s easy to make, too.

Free-form tart with spring vegetables
Blanched or roasted root vegetables serve as a fresh and tasty topping to the pastry. It’s great as a pretty starter or magnificent meat-free main.

Prosciutto and mushroom tart
This easy tart is full of flavour thanks to puff pastry, prosciutto, mushrooms and goat’s cheese.

Prosciutto and mushroom tart

Souffléed crab and asparagus tart
A pinch of nutmeg and chilli powder lifts the crab and asparagus to something super special.

Souffléed crab and asparagus tart

Fruity

Apple tarte tatin
This apple tarte tartin by chef Tanya Kruger of top Stellenbosch restaurant Makaron is simple, but oh so satisfying.

Apple tarte tatin

Baked pear and honey tart
Boasting layers of baked egg custard over sweet pear purée and crispy pastry, this is one dreamy tart. (A little like its creator, British dessert king James Martin.)

Baked pear and honey tart

Fruit lattice tartlets
Fresh strawberries, plums and peaches, all baked up in rich golden pastry. Did we mention there’s condensed milk in the pastry?

Fruit lattice tartlets

Lemon tart
A golden homemade crust and sour-sweet citrus filling combine to make the perfect lemon tart.

Macaroon tartlets
Delicate and delicious, these macaroon tartlets make beautiful baskets for any seasonal fruit. Perfect for a high tea or a light dessert.

Macaroon tartlets

Sweet

Baked white chocolate and cheese tart
For those who thought there was no way to improve upon cheesecake, try this white chocolate version with a crispy base of amaretti biscuits and coconut.

Chocolate and marmalade tart
Rich and decadent, this tart combines the classic flavours of orange and dark chocolate.

Chocolate and marmalade tart

Salted caramel tart
With its rich, luscious salted caramel topping , chocolate ganache and chocolate pastry, this recipe is definitely worth the calories.