Fruit baskets

Fruit Cups - A Delicacy Filled with Aroma and Freshness

Discover the joy of cooking with this simple fruit cup recipe, a perfect choice for any occasion. These sweet delights, filled with a smooth cream and topped with fresh fruit, are ideal for impressing family and friends. Whether you serve them at a party, a picnic, or simply to indulge yourself, fruit cups will bring smiles to everyone's faces.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 15-20 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Number of servings: 24 cups

Ingredients

For the cups:
- 1 ½ cups (200 grams) sifted flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (113 grams) butter, at room temperature
- ¼ cup (50 grams) white sugar
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten

For the cream:
- 500 ml milk
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- 100 g sugar
- 100 g butter
- 3-4 packets vanilla sugar
- Vanilla essence (to taste)

For decoration:
- Fruits: cherries and canned grapes (or other preferred fruits)

Preparation Steps

Step 1: Preparing the Dough for Cups
1. Mixing the Ingredients: In a large bowl, use a mixer to combine sugar and butter at room temperature. Mix until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth, and the sugar is completely dissolved.

2. Adding the Egg: Add the lightly beaten egg and continue mixing until well incorporated.

3. Incorporating the Flour: Sift the flour and salt over the butter and egg mixture. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to combine the dough. You should obtain a soft but homogeneous dough.

4. Chilling the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This will help solidify the butter and make the dough easier to shape.

Step 2: Shaping and Baking the Cups
1. Preheating the Oven: Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

2. Shaping the Dough: Once the dough has chilled, take it out of the refrigerator. Use a spoon to scoop portions of dough and form balls that you will gently flatten. You can shape the cups into tart shapes or, for a simpler version, into muffin shapes.

3. Baking: Place the shaped dough into the muffin or tart pan, making sure the dough reaches the sides of the mold. Bake the cups for 15-20 minutes or until they turn slightly golden. Let them cool completely.

Step 3: Preparing the Cream
1. Dissolving the Cornstarch: In a bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in ½ of the milk. Mix well to avoid lumps.

2. Heating the Milk: In a saucepan, add the remaining milk along with the sugar and bring to a boil. Once the milk starts boiling, add the cornstarch mixture. Stir continuously until the cream thickens.

3. Cooling the Cream: Once thickened, remove the cream from the heat and let it cool slightly. In another bowl, mix the butter with the vanilla sugar and vanilla essence, then gradually add the cooled cream, mixing until you achieve a smooth composition.

Step 4: Assembling the Cups
1. Filling: Use a spoon or piping bag to fill the cooled cups with the prepared cream.

2. Decorating: Add the desired fruits on top of the cream. Cherries and canned grapes are an excellent choice, but you can experiment with peaches, kiwi, or berries to add a splash of color and flavor.

Helpful Tip
To achieve perfectly shaped cups, make sure the dough is well chilled before shaping. Also, do not overbake; the cups are ready when they turn slightly golden but not dry.

Delicious Combinations
These fruit cups pair wonderfully with a fragrant tea or a refreshing drink, such as fresh lemonade. Additionally, a sweet wine can perfectly complement the dessert.

Nutritional Benefits
Fruit cups offer a delicious combination of carbohydrates, healthy fats from butter, and proteins from eggs. Fresh fruits add vitamins and antioxidants, making this dessert a healthier option when consumed in moderation.

Possible Variations
If you want to experiment, you can replace the butter with margarine for a vegan version. You can also add cocoa to the dough to make chocolate cups or enrich the cream with melted chocolate for a decadent taste.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use other fruits?
Of course! You can use any seasonal fruits or canned fruits you have on hand.

2. How can I store the cups?
Fruit cups can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

3. Can I freeze the cups?
It is recommended to freeze only the empty cups without cream. After thawing, fill them with cream and add the fruits.

I invite you to try this delicious recipe and enjoy every bite! Fruit cups are not only a treat for the taste buds but also a wonderful way to bring a touch of creativity to your kitchen. Enjoy!