Christmas Mini Tarts
Delightful bite-sized treats featuring a buttery crust, sweet fruit filling, and crunchy nut topping, perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1 cup all-purpose flour The base for a sturdy yet tender crust.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened Adds richness and flavor.
- ¼ cup powdered sugar Sweetens the dough and contributes to its fine texture.
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract A must for that delightful aroma.
For the Filling
- ½ cup fruit preserves Choose your favorite flavor like raspberry, apricot, or strawberry.
For the Topping
- ¼ cup chopped nuts Walnuts or pecans pair wonderfully with the sweet filling.
- 1 large egg, beaten For brushing on the edges and giving a lovely golden color when baked.
Instructions
Preparation
- Start by gathering all your ingredients in one place. Make sure your butter is softened for easy mixing.
- In a bowl, mix the flour, softened butter, and powdered sugar until the mixture is crumbly.
- Add the vanilla extract to your crumbly mixture and mix until it’s well combined.
- Press the mixture into mini tart pans, ensuring an even coverage.
- Fill each tart shell generously with your chosen fruit preserves.
- Sprinkle the chopped nuts over the top of the fruit preserves.
- Lightly brush the edges of the tart crust with the beaten egg.
Baking
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the tarts for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let the tarts cool for a few minutes before removing them from their pans.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
These tarts can be customized with different flavors of preserves, nuts, or even alternative fillings like chocolate or lemon curd. Perfect for various occasions beyond Christmas.