Indulge in the charm of Mini Strawberry Tartelettes, each a perfect harmony of crisp pastry filled with a luscious cheese mixture and crowned with fresh strawberries. These tartelettes are not just a treat to the palate but also a feast for the eyes, making them a fantastic choice for gatherings where you want to impress with both flavor and presentation.
Why You'll Love This: These mini tartelettes offer a delightful bite that balances the buttery crispness of the pastry with the smooth, rich filling, topped with the fresh zing of strawberries. Each component complements the others beautifully, creating a dessert that's not too sweet and perfect for those who appreciate refined, fruit-forward treats. They are small enough to be enjoyed in a few bites but memorable enough to leave a lasting impression.
Perfect Occasion: These Mini Strawberry Tartelettes are ideal for tea parties, bridal showers, or any event where elegant, easy-to-serve desserts are desired. They're also great for picnics and family gatherings as they are easy to transport and can be enjoyed without the need for utensils, making them as practical as they are tasty.
Decoration Tips: For an extra touch of elegance, you can dust the tartelettes with a little powdered sugar or drizzle them with a thin glaze. To make them festive, consider adding a small mint leaf on top of each tartelette or a dollop of whipped cream for those who desire a richer dessert experience.
Ingredients:
- For the Tartelette Dough:
- 150 g all-purpose flour
- 75 g cold butter, cut into small pieces
- 30 g powdered sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp cold water
- For the Filling:
- 125 g quark or cream cheese
- 1 egg yolk
- 30 g powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- Fresh strawberries, diced
- Begin by preparing the dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and powdered sugar. Add the cold butter and blend using your fingers or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Mix in the egg yolk and cold water, and knead briefly to form a smooth dough. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- After chilling, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 3mm. Use a round cutter to cut out 7 cm circles, then place these into the wells of a muffin tin, pressing gently to fit. Prick the bottoms with a fork and chill again for 15 minutes.
- For the filling, whisk together the quark or cream cheese, egg yolk, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Arrange a few pieces of diced strawberries in each pastry shell, top with a tablespoon of the cheese mixture, and then add a few more strawberry pieces.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and the filling has set.
- Let the tartelettes cool in the pan before removing them to prevent breaking.
Enjoy these exquisite Mini Strawberry Tartelettes, a deliciously sophisticated treat that is sure to delight guests at your next gathering!