Discover the simple elegance of this puff pastry tart, filled with a luscious cream cheese mixture and topped with fresh apricots. This tart is a versatile dessert that can easily adapt to any season by substituting apricots with other fruits like rhubarb or berries. The creamy filling and flaky crust offer a delightful contrast, while almond flakes add a subtle crunch and visual appeal.
Why You'll Love This:
This tart is not only beautiful but also incredibly easy to prepare, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced bakers. The combination of tangy cream cheese and sweet fruit nestled in a buttery, flaky pastry creates a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that's sure to impress at any gathering.
Perfect Occasion:
Ideal for a spring brunch, summer picnic, or as a light dessert at any dinner party. It's also a great choice for holidays, where you can customize the fruit topping to suit the season, making it a versatile addition to your dessert repertoire.
Decoration Tips:
For a festive touch, arrange the fruit in a decorative pattern before baking. Post-baking, a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of honey over the top can enhance both the flavor and appearance. If serving at a formal event, pair each slice with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients:
- Base:
- 1 sheet of puff pastry
- Cream Cheese Filling:
- 265g double cream cheese
- 100g quark (or a similar soft cheese)
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 egg
- Fruit Topping:
- Apricots, rhubarb, or berries, as preferred, chopped
- For Garnish:
- Almond flakes
- Egg-milk mixture for brushing (combine 1 beaten egg with a splash of milk)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 180°C (356°F) with both top and bottom heat.
- Prepare the Tart Shell: Unroll the puff pastry and cut it in half. Press the pastry into a 25 cm (about 10 inches) tart pan, molding it to fit the edges and bottom.
- Make the Filling: In a bowl, mix together the double cream cheese, quark, sugar, and egg until smooth.
- Assemble the Tart: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the pastry base. Scatter your chosen chopped fruit on top of the cream layer.
- Fold and Garnish: Fold the edges of the pastry over the filling slightly. Brush the pastry with the egg-milk mixture and sprinkle with almond flakes.
- Bake: Place the tart in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and the filling is set.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let the tart cool slightly before serving, ideally while still warm for the best flavor and texture.
Enjoy this delightful puff pastry tart, a perfect blend of creamy, fruity, and flaky that's sure to satisfy any dessert lover!