These Tartlets are small, elegant desserts with buttery, flaky crusts and a variety of delicious fillings. Perfect for entertaining or enjoying with a cup of tea, tartlets can be filled with everything from fresh fruit and custard to chocolate ganache or savory fillings. This recipe gives you a simple tartlet base that you can customize with your favorite fillings, whether you’re craving something sweet or savory.
Why You’ll Love This Tartlets Recipe
- Versatile: Tartlets can be filled with endless combinations of flavors, from sweet berries and cream to savory cheese and vegetables.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: These bite-sized treats are great for parties, brunches, or even a fancy afternoon snack.
- Customizable: You can make different types of tartlets with a single batch of dough, offering a variety of flavors.
- Easy to Make: Despite their elegant appearance, tartlets are simple to prepare with a basic dough and filling.
Key Ingredients for Tartlets
1. All-Purpose Flour
- Flour is the base of the tartlet dough, creating a light and flaky crust.
2. Butter
- Cold, unsalted butter gives the tartlet crust its buttery flavor and tender, flaky texture.
3. Sugar (for sweet tartlets)
- A little sugar adds sweetness to the dough for dessert tartlets, but you can omit it for savory versions.
4. Egg
- An egg helps bind the dough and gives it richness.
5. Cold Water
- Cold water brings the dough together and helps keep the butter cold, ensuring a flaky texture.
6. Fillings
- You can fill tartlets with a variety of ingredients, such as pastry cream, chocolate ganache, fruit, or even savory ingredients like cheese and vegetables.
How to Make Tartlets
This simple tartlet recipe makes a buttery, flaky crust that’s the perfect base for your favorite fillings. Here’s how to prepare it:
Step 1: Make the Tartlet Dough
- In a large bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of sugar (for sweet tartlets), and a pinch of salt. If you’re making savory tartlets, omit the sugar.
- Cut in 1/2 cup of cold, unsalted butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg and 2-3 tablespoons of cold water. Gradually add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, stirring until the dough comes together. Add more water if needed, but be careful not to overwork the dough.
- Form the dough into a ball, flatten it into a disc, and wrap it in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a mini tartlet pan or mini muffin tin.
Step 3: Roll Out the Dough
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter or glass to cut out circles that are slightly larger than your tartlet molds.
- Press the dough circles into the greased tartlet pan, ensuring the dough reaches the sides of each mold.
Step 4: Blind Bake the Crusts
- To prevent the crust from puffing up, prick the bottom of each tartlet with a fork. You can also place small pieces of parchment paper inside the crusts and fill them with pie weights or dried beans.
- Bake the tartlet crusts for 10-12 minutes, or until they are lightly golden. Remove the weights and parchment paper, and let the crusts cool completely.
Step 5: Prepare the Filling
- While the crusts are baking, prepare your desired filling. For sweet tartlets, you can use pastry cream, chocolate ganache, or lemon curd. For savory tartlets, consider using a cheese filling or roasted vegetables.
- Once the crusts are cool, fill them with your chosen filling.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
- Garnish sweet tartlets with fresh berries, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar. For savory tartlets, garnish with fresh herbs, a drizzle of olive oil, or grated cheese.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Tips for Making the Best Tartlets
1. Keep the Dough Cold
- Use cold butter and cold water to ensure the dough remains flaky. If the dough gets too warm while working with it, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes.
2. Blind Bake for Crispy Crusts
- Blind baking (pre-baking the crust without the filling) ensures the crusts stay crisp and don’t get soggy when you add the filling.
3. Customize Your Fillings
- Sweet or savory, you can fill your tartlets with anything you like. Try fruit and custard for dessert or goat cheese and roasted vegetables for a savory bite.
4. Use Mini Muffin Tins
- If you don’t have a tartlet pan, mini muffin tins work well for making small tartlets.
5. Make Ahead
- You can make the tartlet shells ahead of time and store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Fill them just before serving.
Recipe Variations
1. Fruit Tartlets
- Fill tartlet shells with vanilla pastry cream or lemon curd and top with fresh berries or sliced fruit for a beautiful and refreshing dessert.
2. Chocolate Ganache Tartlets
- Fill the tartlets with a rich chocolate ganache made from melted chocolate and heavy cream. Garnish with a sprinkle of sea salt or a dollop of whipped cream.
3. Savory Cheese and Herb Tartlets
- Fill the tartlet shells with a mixture of goat cheese, cream, and fresh herbs. Top with roasted tomatoes or caramelized onions for a savory treat.
4. Lemon Tartlets
- Fill with lemon curd for a zesty, tangy dessert. Top with a swirl of whipped cream or a raspberry for garnish.
5. Nutella Tartlets
- Spread a layer of Nutella inside each tartlet shell and top with chopped hazelnuts or banana slices for an indulgent bite.
FAQs: Tartlets
1. Can I Freeze Tartlet Shells?
- Yes! You can freeze the baked tartlet shells in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before filling.
2. How Do I Store Leftover Tartlets?
- Store leftover tartlets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Sweet tartlets with cream or fruit should be served chilled.
3. Can I Use Pre-Made Pie Dough?
- Yes, you can use pre-made pie dough or puff pastry for the tartlet crusts to save time. Roll out the dough and follow the same instructions for cutting and baking.
4. How Can I Prevent the Dough from Shrinking?
- To prevent the dough from shrinking, make sure to chill it before baking and avoid stretching it when pressing it into the tartlet molds.
5. What Fillings Can I Use for Savory Tartlets?
- Savory fillings like spinach and feta, roasted vegetables, goat cheese, or caramelized onions work well. You can even add scrambled eggs for a breakfast tartlet.
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