Spring's charm: Simple fruit tartlets steal the easter show
The Easter table is overflowing with delicious treats, and these charming mini-desserts are sure to steal the show! Simple fruit tartlets are the essence of spring on a plate. A flaky crust, velvety cream, and a burst of fresh fruit colours make preparation surprisingly simple, and the result? Stunning! Impress guests with these little masterpieces that taste just as amazing as they look. Perfect for a holiday breakfast and any other occasion!
I can’t imagine a holiday table without colourful, light, and delightful desserts. This year, I'm going for simple fruit tartlets—they not only taste great but also look like little works of art. They're perfect for the Easter table, easy to prepare, and versatile because you can decorate them with any favourite fruits.
Simple fruit tartlets – flaky crust and delicate cream
The secret to successful tartlets lies in the well-prepared dough. I always start with a classic, flaky crust — the base must be delicate yet stable. Flour, cold butter, an egg, and a bit of powdered sugar — just a few ingredients are enough to create the perfect dough. After chilling, I roll it out and line the moulds with it. Baking to a golden colour makes the tartlets crispy but not hard.
And what about the filling? For this recipe, I’m going with a quick and light lemon cream based on homogenized cheese. I combine it with cream, powdered sugar, and grated lemon zest, which gives the dessert a fresh, slightly tangy flavour. It’s a great counterbalance to the sweet fruits and flaky crust.
How to make simple fruit tartlets step by step?
To ensure the tartlets turn out well and delight guests, it’s worth following a proven routine:
Ingredients for the flaky crust:
- 250 grams of wheat flour,
- 140 grams of cold butter,
- a pinch of salt,
- 4 tablespoons of powdered sugar,
- 1 egg,
- 1 tablespoon of cold milk (optional).
Ingredients for the cream and toppings:
- 250 grams of homogenized cheese,
- 100 grams of homogenized cream,
- 60 grams of powdered sugar,
- ½ teaspoon of grated lemon zest,
- favourite fruits: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries,
- fresh mint, chocolate shavings, powdered sugar (for decoration).
Preparing the crust:
- Sift the flour onto a pastry board, add cubed butter, salt, and powdered sugar. Chop the ingredients with a knife until fine crumbs form.
- Add the egg and quickly knead the dough. If the mixture seems too dry, add a tablespoon of cold milk.
- Shape into a ball, wrap in cling film, and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
- Roll out the dough to about 3 mm thick and cut out circles larger than the tartlet moulds. Line the moulds with the dough, pressing the edges and removing excess with a knife.
- Prick the bottom with a fork and bake at 175°C for about 15 minutes, until golden brown. Set aside to cool completely.
Preparing the cream:
- In a bowl, mix the cheese with cream, powdered sugar, and lemon zest. The cream should be smooth and fluffy.
- Spoon it into cooled tartlets, then decorate with fresh fruits and toppings as desired.
- Finally, dust with powdered sugar and add mint leaves— the result? Little, colourful wonders that disappear from the table in no time!
Simple fruit tartlets are a delicious dessert and an impressive table decoration. They don’t take much time to prepare, and the outcome will satisfy both adults and children. You can prepare them even the day before the holiday with their short baking time and easy cream.
Tartlets pair wonderfully with other Easter pastries—babkas, mazurkas, or cheesecakes—but also make an excellent alternative for those who prefer something lighter and more fruity.
