Mini Strawberry Tarts Recipe
Make the components of this mini strawberry tarts recipe ahead of time for a special yet quick dessert. And with a strawberry tartlet, you get the benefit of satisfying your sweet tooth without the guilt of a big dessert! 😉
I’ve said it before; I am all about mini desserts! My sweet tooth is assuaged without the guilt of a large treat. When a little bit of a post-dinner sweet is combined with this make-ahead delicious dessert’s ease, it is an even greater win! These little strawberry tarts check all the boxes!
While the mini tarts look fancy, this is a very easy recipe that can be made beforehand.
why you will love these mini strawberry tartlets.
You’ll love the Strawberry Tartlets with Strawberry Curd for several reasons:
- Fresh and fruity flavor: The combination of fresh strawberries and tangy strawberry curd creates a delightful fruity flavor that is perfect for the warm seasons or any time you’re craving a light, refreshing dessert.
- Elegant presentation: These strawberry tartlets look stunning on a dessert table with their vibrant red color and delicate pastry shells. They are sure to impress your guests and make any gathering feel extra special.
- Perfectly balanced taste: The sweet and tangy strawberry curd, combined with the buttery, flaky tartlet crust, creates a harmonious balance of flavors that will leave you craving more.
- Easy-to-follow recipe: The step-by-step instructions provided on the website make this recipe easy to follow, even for those who are new to baking.
- Versatile and adaptable: The recipe can be easily adapted to suit various dietary needs, such as gluten-free, vegan, or egg-free. Additionally, you can experiment with different fruits for the curd to create your own unique variations of the tartlets.
- Make-ahead friendly: The tartlet dough and strawberry curd can be prepared in advance, making it convenient for busy schedules or for prepping for an event.
- Perfect for any occasion: These strawberry tartlets are suitable for a wide range of occasions, from casual family gatherings to elegant dinner parties or festive celebrations.
- Individually portioned: The tartlets are individually portioned, making them easy to serve and enjoy, as well as preventing overindulgence.
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these strawberry tartlets have three simple components:
- The simple, sugar-cookie-like buttery crust of the mini-tart shells can be made ahead and even frozen if need be.
- This fresh strawberry curd can be made ahead and frozen.
- Fresh strawberries to top your mini strawberry tarts.
the mini-tart shells
Instead of traditional pie crust or pastry crust, these mini tart shells are made from sugar cookie dough, thus, are less fragile.
My Williams-Sonoma Mini Tart Baking is my go-to when making mini-tarts. Sadly, they no longer carry these little tart pans. I’m confounded…this is such a handy little set! However, this little tool paired with a mini-tart or cupcake pan would work just fine.
You can bake these tartlet shells days in advance and refrigerate or freeze them until you need them.
I swing back and forth between adding dry beans as weights with this tart dough. Most of the time, I don’t feel I need to add the beans; but the dough will puff up while baking every once in a while. So, if you want to be on the safe side, then add some dry beans to the tarts before you pop them in the oven.
One tip, work your dough as little as possible. The more you work your dough, the more shrinkage you will get. This mini tart recipe suggests that you divide the dough into 3 pieces so that you will not need to work it as much for your second and third batches of tarts.
the fresh strawberry curd
My fresh strawberry curd recipe is perfect for these strawberry tartlets. Traditional curds are made from fruit puree, lemon juice, egg yolks, and sugar. In my recipe, strawberry powder makes the curd taste even fresher and more strawberry-ish.
Don’t be intimidated by the strawberry powder. Strawberry powder is simply ground-up dehydrated strawberries! I was able to find the dehydrated strawberries in the dried fruit section of my regular old grocery store. Trader Joe’s also carries freeze-dried strawberries, as does Amazon.
a fresh strawberry for the top of your mini strawberry tarts!
Make 3 cuts in your fresh berries, from the bottom almost to the top where the stem is; then fan the 4 pieces out as you place it on top of your strawberry tartlets.
can I make the tartlet dough in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the tartlet dough in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months; just remember to thaw it in the refrigerator before using it.
You can refrigerate your strawberry curd for up to 2 weeks, or you can freeze it. Let it come to room temperature on its own, don’t try to defrost or thaw it in the microwave. Head over here for the Strawberry Curd recipe and instructions.
how do I store the finished strawberry tartlets?
Store the finished tartlets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s best to keep them in a single layer to prevent the tart shells from becoming soggy.
can I use a different type of fruit for the curd?
Yes, you can substitute other fruits like raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries for the strawberries in the curd. Just make sure to adjust the sugar levels accordingly to balance the sweetness and tartness of the fruit.
can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, to make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour in the tartlet dough with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to choose a blend that works well for pastry dough.
how can I make the tartlet dough without a food processor?
If you don’t have a food processor, you can make the tartlet dough by hand. Simply cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, then add the cold water and mix until the dough comes together.
can I use store-bought tart shells for this recipe?
Yes, you can use store-bought tart shells if you’re short on time. Just follow the instructions on the package for baking the shells and proceed with filling them with the strawberry curd.
can I make this recipe vegan?
To make a vegan version of this recipe, substitute the butter in the tartlet dough with vegan butter or coconut oil. Replace the eggs in the strawberry curd with a plant-based egg substitute, and use a vegan-friendly thickening agent like agar-agar.
Overall, the Strawberry Tartlets with Strawberry Curd from Nourish and Nestle are a delightful, visually appealing dessert that offers a burst of fresh, fruity flavor in every bite. The versatile and easy-to-follow recipe makes it a perfect choice for any occasion or dietary preference.
These delightful little strawberry tartlets are the perfect spring and summer mini-dessert. Consider them for your Easter dinner or Mother’s Day! If you are putting together a Spring dessert board, add these strawberry curd tarts along with these Lemon Icebox Cookies and these Vanilla Teacakes.
If you are looking to bake just one larger tart, check out this Strawberry Tart recipe. And for more Strawberry Dessert Recipes, consider this Strawberry Jam Cake and this Strawberry Crisp Recipe.
Strawberry Tartlets with Strawberry Curd
The components of this strawberry tartlets recipe can be easily made ahead for a special, yet quick dessert. And with a mini strawberry tart, you get the benefit of satisfying your sweet tooth without the guilt of a big dessert!
Ingredients
For the Mini-Tarts
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 stick of very cold, unsalted butter
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons ice-cold water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- One recipe of Strawberry Curd
- Fresh Strawberries for Garnish
Instructions
- Cut the butter into 1/2 inch (ish) pieces and put back in the freezer. I find this the best way to get the cold butter that makes this recipe successful.
- Combine egg yolk, ice water, and vanilla extract and keep cold
- Combine flour, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a food processor or a large bowl.
- If using a food processor, add the butter all at once and pulse to combine. You will want it to look like coarse cornmeal with larger butter pieces no bigger than a pea. If not using a food processor, using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse cornmeal with the larger butter pieces no bigger than a pea.
- Add the egg mixture. If using a food processor, combine just until the dough starts to pull together, and you can squeeze the dough together, and it holds. If by hand, mix with a fork until the dough begins to pull together, and you can press the dough together, and it holds.
- On your work surface, divide the dough between two sheets of plastic wrap or cling film. Form into disks, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350F°
- Remove one disk at a time and roll out on a lightly floured surface, re-dusting your rolling pin and the surface of your dough just as needed to prevent sticking.
- Roll to 1/8 inch thickness
- Using a knife, biscuit cutter, or cookie cutter, cut dough 1/2" to 1" wider in diameter than the diameter of your mini-tart pan.
- Grease tarts pans or spray with a little cooking spray if they are not non-stick.
- Transfer by spatula to your tart pan and gently push down into your tartlet pans.
- Optional: add dried beans to the uncooked dough to prevent any bubbling.
- Bake for 10 minutes, checking after 8 for browning.
- Let cool in pans on a wire rack.
- Once cool, transfer to an airtight container until ready to be filled and enjoyed.
- Your baked mini-tart shells will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and in the freezer for a month.
Notes
Consider whipping some heavy whipping cream and putting a little dollop on each mini tart before you add the strawberry.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 15 Serving Size: 2Amount Per Serving: Calories: 117Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 11mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 1g
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Happy Baking, my friends!
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