Hamdi Saidani This Sweet Strawberry Tartlets recipe is a creamy and sweet recipe, which is made with a Maria cracker crust and a no-bake strawberry cream cheese filling. It’s a great make-ahead dessert, perfect for a spring or summer party.
Sweet Strawberry Tartlets Ingredients
A simple, delicious combination for beautiful individual desserts.
For the Crust:
- 5 ounces Maria crackers (about 32 crackers) or graham crackers
- 1/4 cup packed minced piloncillo or brown sugar
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cubed
For the Strawberry Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups hulled, quartered fresh strawberries
- 1/2 cup sugar, plus 3 tablespoons
- 1 (8-ounce) bar cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 envelope whipping powdered topping (like Dream Whip)
- Nonstick cooking spray
How To Make Sweet Strawberry Tartlets
A step-by-step guide to these creamy and delicious no-bake treats.
- Macerate the Strawberries: In a small bowl, mix the quartered strawberries with 3 tablespoons of the sugar. Let them sit at room temperature for about 1 hour to macerate and release their natural juices.
- Make the Crusts: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray six individual tartlet pans with removable bottoms with nonstick cooking spray. In a food processor, pulse the Maria crackers and piloncillo (or brown sugar) until coarse crumbs form. Add the chilled butter cubes and process until the crumbs come together.
- Bake and Cool the Crusts: Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared tartlet pans. Bake for about 10 minutes, until the shells are golden brown. Let them cool completely.
- Make the Strawberry Cream Filling: In a bowl with an electric mixer, whip the softened cream cheese and sour cream until fluffy. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar and beat until well combined. Add the powdered whipping topping and whip until the mixture is very light and fluffy.
- Assemble and Chill: Drain the macerated strawberries, reserving about 2 tablespoons of their liquid. Gently fold the drained strawberries and the reserved 2 tablespoons of liquid into the cream cheese mixture. Spoon this filling into the cooled tartlet shells, dividing it equally.
- Serve: The tarts can be served immediately, but they are best if covered and refrigerated for at least an hour to firm up.
Recipe Tips
For perfect, creamy tartlets every time.
- What are Maria crackers? As the recipe notes, they are a type of sweet, vanilla-flavored biscuit, similar to an English Marie biscuit or an American vanilla wafer. Graham crackers are a perfect and easily accessible substitute.
- What is piloncillo? Piloncillo is an unrefined whole cane sugar, common in Mexican cuisine. It has a rich, caramel-like flavor similar to dark brown sugar, which makes brown sugar a great substitute.
- How to get the fluffiest filling? Using the powdered whipping topping (like Dream Whip) is a clever trick that acts as a stabilizer and helps to create an incredibly light, fluffy, and stable no-bake filling that holds its shape beautifully.
- Can I make these ahead of time? Yes, these are a fantastic make-ahead dessert! The recipe notes that they can be prepared completely, covered, and refrigerated for up to one day before serving.
What To Serve With Sweet Strawberry Tartlets
These individual desserts are a complete treat on their own.
These sweet and creamy tartlets are perfect for a dessert buffet, a baby shower, or a spring luncheon. They are lovely served with:
- A sprig of fresh mint for garnish
- A dollop of extra whipped cream
- A glass of sparkling rosé or a cup of tea
How To Store Sweet Strawberry Tartlets
Keeping your delicious treats fresh.
- Refrigerate: These tartlets must be stored in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese filling. Keep them in an airtight container, and they will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. The crust will soften slightly over time.
Sweet Strawberry Tartlets Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per tartlet.
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Fat: 30 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I make this as one large tart?
Yes, the recipe notes that you can make this in one 9-inch tart tin with a removable bottom instead of individual tartlets. The baking time for the crust will remain the same.
Can I use a different fruit?
Absolutely. This recipe would be wonderful with other macerated berries, like raspberries or a mixed berry blend. Sliced peaches would also be a delicious summer variation.
Do I have to bake the crust?
For the best texture, a short 10-minute bake is recommended to create a crisp, sturdy crust. However, for a completely no-bake version, you can simply press the crumb mixture into the pans and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes until firm before adding the filling.
Try More Recipes:
Sweet Strawberry Tartlets Recipe
Description
Creamy and delicious no-bake strawberry tartlets with a crisp Maria cracker (or graham cracker crust and a light, fluffy strawberry and cream cheese filling.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a small bowl, toss the strawberries with 3 tablespoons of sugar and let them macerate for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- For the crust, pulse the crackers and brown sugar in a food processor to crumbs. Add the chilled butter and pulse until the mixture comes together.
- Press the crumb mixture into 6 individual tartlet pans. Bake for 10 minutes until golden. Let cool completely.
- For the filling, beat the softened cream cheese and sour cream until fluffy. Beat in the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar, then the powdered whipping topping, until very fluffy.
- Drain the strawberries, reserving 2 tablespoons of their juice. Fold the drained berries and the reserved juice into the cream cheese mixture.
- Spoon the filling into the cooled tartlet shells.
- Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- Maria crackers can be found in the international aisle of many supermarkets; graham crackers are a perfect substitute.
- The powdered whipping topping helps to stabilize the filling, making it light and airy.
- These tartlets are a great make-ahead dessert and can be prepared up to a day in advance.
- For easy removal, be sure to use tartlet pans with removable bottoms.
