Mother's Day is just around the corner, and what better way to show your love and appreciation than by making a homemade gift? These mini fruit tarts are not only delicious, but they're also beautiful and easy to make. With a buttery crust, creamy filling, and fresh fruit toppings, these tarts are sure to impress. Follow these simple steps to create a sweet treat that your mom will love.
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 1 egg yolk
- 1-2 tablespoons ice water
For the filling:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
For the toppings:
- Assorted fresh fruit (such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, and mango)
- 1/4 cup apricot jam
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and sugar. Add chilled butter and use a pastry cutter or fork to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of ice water to the mixture and stir until the dough comes together. Add more ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed.
- Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter or a glass to cut out circles of dough and place them in a mini muffin tin. Prick the bottom of each tart with a fork.
- Bake the tart shells for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Let them cool completely.
- In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. In a separate bowl, beat heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
- Fill each tart shell with the cream cheese mixture using a spoon or a piping bag.
- Arrange the fresh fruit on top of the cream cheese mixture.
- In a small saucepan, heat apricot jam and water over low heat until the jam is melted and smooth. Brush the jam mixture over the fruit to glaze.
- Chill the mini fruit tarts in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
These mini fruit tarts are not only delicious but also a beautiful gift that your mom will love. The buttery crust, creamy filling, and fresh fruit toppings make for a perfect combination of flavors and textures. Plus, they're easy to make and can be customized with your mom's favorite fruits. Give this recipe a try and show your mom how much you love her on Mother's Day!
