These Mini Quince Jam Tarts are a delicious combination of a buttery, lemon-infused crust and a sweet, tangy quince jam filling. The delightful little tarts are perfect for any event, offering a beautiful presentation and a rich flavor that will steal hearts. Easy to make and versatile, you can bake these tarts as a large tart or several smaller ones to suit your needs.
Why You’ll Love This: You will love these mini tarts for their crumbly, tender crust paired with the aromatic and sweet quince jam. The lemon zest in the dough adds a refreshing touch, balancing the richness of the pastry. These tarts are not only delicious but also visually appealing, making them perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Perfect Occasion: These mini quince jam tarts are ideal for afternoon tea, family gatherings, or festive occasions like holidays and birthdays. They are also great for potlucks, picnics, and casual get-togethers. Their small size makes them easy to serve and enjoy without the need for cutting or additional utensils.
Decoration Tips: To add an elegant touch, dust the cooled tarts with powdered sugar. You can also garnish with fresh mint leaves or a small dollop of whipped cream. For a professional look, use a lattice cutter to create neat pastry strips for the top of the tarts.
Ingredients:
- For the Dough:
- 320g all-purpose flour
- 130g granulated sugar
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 165g butter, at room temperature
- 1 whole egg
- 2 egg yolks
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (2.5g)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- For the Filling:
- 400g quince jam
- Hot water (as needed)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a bowl or using a mixer, cream together the butter, sugar, and lemon zest until light and fluffy.
- Add the whole egg and egg yolks one at a time, beating until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing until just combined.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and form it into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30-40 minutes.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a bowl, mash the quince jam with a fork, adding a little hot water as needed to create a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Assemble the Tarts:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour four 12×2 cm tartlet pans or one large 24-26 cm tart pan.
- Divide the dough into portions. Press pieces of dough into the bottom and sides of each tartlet pan.
- Fill each tartlet with a generous amount of quince filling.
- Roll out the remaining dough and cut into strips to create a lattice pattern on top of each tartlet.
- Bake the Tarts:
- Place the tarts on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown. If making a larger tart, bake for a longer time as needed.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the tarts to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy these delightful Mini Quince Jam Tarts, with their buttery, lemon-scented pastry and sweet quince filling, perfect for any occasion!
