Pin These Savory Tartlets are the perfect bite-sized appetizers for any festive occasion. With a crisp, buttery crust enveloping a creamy, flavorful cheese and herb filling, they combine elegance and ease in one delightful package. Adorned with vibrant diced vegetables and fresh herbs, these mini wreath-shaped tartlets bring a touch of European charm to your holiday table or casual gatherings.
Pin This appetizer not only tastes fantastic but also adds a charming decorative touch to the table. The combination of creamy cheese with fresh herbs and bright vegetable garnishes is sure to impress your guests and make your party spread stand out.
Ingredients
- Tartlet Shells
- 1 sheet (about 250 g) ready-made puff pastry or shortcrust pastry
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Cheese & Herb Filling
- 150 g cream cheese, softened
- 80 g grated Gruyère or mature cheddar
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Vegetable Garnish
- 1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper, finely diced
- 6 cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1 small cucumber, diced
- 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds (optional)
- Microgreens or fresh dill, to garnish
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- 2. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to about 3 mm thickness. Using a 6 cm round cutter, cut out 24 circles. Use a smaller cutter (about 2.5 cm) to punch out the centers, forming wreath shapes.
- 3. Arrange the pastry rings on the prepared tray. Brush lightly with beaten egg.
- 4. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Remove and let cool completely.
- 5. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, grated Gruyère, chives, parsley, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
- 6. Transfer the cheese mixture to a piping bag fitted with a star tip (optional) and pipe a generous swirl onto each cooled tartlet base.
- 7. Decorate each tartlet with diced peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, pomegranate seeds, and microgreens or dill to resemble a festive wreath.
- 8. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until serving (up to 2 hours for best texture).
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Use chilled pastry to ensure a crisp texture and prevent shrinking during baking. Rolling the dough evenly to about 3 mm thickness ensures uniform baking. Allow tartlets to cool fully before adding the filling, so it stays firm and visually appealing.
Varianten und Anpassungen
Enhance the cheese filling by mixing in chopped sun-dried tomatoes or olives for extra flavor. For a non-vegetarian version, top the tartlets with smoked salmon or delicate slices of prosciutto just before serving.
Serviervorschläge
These tartlets pair beautifully with a crisp sparkling wine or a light white wine, making them a charming and tasty start to any meal or party. Serve on a festive platter garnished with extra herbs for a stunning presentation.
Pin With their delightful looks and irresistible flavors, these Savory Tartlets are sure to become a favorite at your gatherings. Easy to prepare yet impressive to serve, they offer the perfect combination of convenience and festive cheer.
Recipe Questions
- → What type of pastry works best for the tartlets?
Both puff pastry and shortcrust pastry deliver excellent crispness and buttery texture; puff pastry offers a flakier result, while shortcrust is sturdier.
- → Can the filling be prepared ahead of time?
Yes, the cheese and herb mixture can be made in advance and kept refrigerated, making assembly on the day quicker.
- → What is the purpose of cutting centers from the pastry rounds?
Removing the centers forms delicate wreath shapes, creating a hollow base to hold the creamy cheese filling and garnishes attractively.
- → How should the tartlets be stored before serving?
Store assembled tartlets in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours to maintain texture and freshness before serving.
- → Are there suitable variations for non-vegetarians?
Adding smoked salmon or prosciutto atop the cheese filling adds savory depth suited to non-vegetarian preferences.
- → What garnishes complement the tartlets visually and flavor-wise?
Bright diced bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, pomegranate seeds, and fresh herbs like dill or microgreens provide color contrast and fresh notes.