Description
Delight in these Mini Strawberry-Pistachio Mascarpone Tarts, featuring a buttery baked crust filled with a creamy mascarpone mixture, topped with fresh strawberries and crunchy pistachios. Perfect for a refreshing summer dessert that’s elegant yet easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
For the crusts:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1–2 tablespoons cold water
For the filling:
- 8 oz mascarpone cheese
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
For the topping:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
- Optional honey for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a food processor, combine the flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add cold cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, pulsing until the dough just holds together.
- Form and bake crusts: Press the dough evenly into mini tart pans to make about 6 tartlets. Prick the bottoms with a fork to prevent puffing. Bake for 15–18 minutes or until the crusts are lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
- Make the filling: In a mixing bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form, then gently fold it into the mascarpone mixture until light and fluffy.
- Assemble the tarts: Spoon or pipe the mascarpone filling into the cooled tart shells evenly. Top each tart with sliced fresh strawberries and sprinkle with chopped pistachios.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the assembled tarts for at least 30 minutes to set the filling. Just before serving, drizzle with honey if desired for extra sweetness and shine.
Notes
- These tarts can be prepared a day in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator.
- Swap strawberries for raspberries or blackberries for a different berry variation.
- To save time, use pre-made mini tart shells instead of making the crust from scratch.
