Little boats with cream

Cream Tarts – A Sweet Delicacy That Will Captivate You

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 20-25 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 12 tarts

Cream tarts are an elegant dessert, perfect for impressing guests or enhancing an ordinary day. These mini tarts, with a flaky crust and delicious cream, are ideal for any occasion. Over time, pastry dishes have been used in various cultures to hold sweet or savory fillings, and our tarts are a refined reinterpretation of this tradition.

Ingredients:

For the crust:
- 1 1/4 cups of flour
- 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar
- 150 g of cold butter, diced
- 1/4 cup of cold water

For the cream:
- 1 packet of chocolate or vanilla pudding (about 100 g)
- 250 ml of heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon of sugar (for the whipped cream)
- Rum essence (optional)

For decoration:
- Fresh seasonal fruits (like raspberries or strawberries)
- Apricot jam (to prevent fruit oxidation)

Preparation steps:

1. Preparing the crust:
In a large bowl, sift the flour and powdered sugar. This will help aerate the flour and make the crust lighter. Add the cold diced butter. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. This technique is called "making a crumbly dough" and is essential for achieving a flaky texture.

2. Forming the dough:
Gradually add cold water, mixing gently with a spatula or your hands until the dough comes together. Do not knead too much, as this can make the dough elastic and tough. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This step is important to allow the butter to solidify, which will help achieve the perfect texture.

3. Preparing the tarts:
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. After the dough has chilled, remove it and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 5 mm thick. Cut the dough into squares or circles, depending on the desired shape, and line the tart or muffin molds. Make sure the dough covers the molds well, and prick the bottom of each tart with a fork to prevent puffing during baking.

4. Baking:
Bake the tarts for 20-25 minutes or until golden. Once done, remove them from the oven and let them cool on a plate.

5. Preparing the cream:
In a bowl, prepare the pudding according to the package instructions, using 250 ml of milk. Add the rum essence for extra flavor if desired. Once the pudding has cooled, fill each tart with the prepared cream.

6. Preparing the whipped cream:
In another bowl, whip the heavy cream with a tablespoon of sugar until stiff peaks form. This is a perfect time to add a splash of vanilla essence if you want to enhance the flavor.

7. Decorating:
Using a piping bag, decorate each tart with a dollop of whipped cream. If you want to add fresh fruits, make sure to lightly brush them with diluted apricot jam to prevent oxidation. Fresh fruits not only add an attractive appearance but also a delicious taste that perfectly complements the cream.

8. Cooling and serving:
Let the tarts chill in the refrigerator for a few hours to firm up the cream and meld the flavors. They are delightful served cold, alongside a cup of tea or coffee, or even with a glass of sweet wine for a pleasant contrast.

Useful tips:
- You can experiment with different pudding flavors, such as caramel or coffee, to vary the taste of the tarts.
- If you don't have tart pans, you can use muffin tins – the tarts will have a slightly different shape but will be just as delicious.
- Add toasted nuts or grated chocolate to the cream for added texture and flavor.

Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use salted butter for the dough?
Yes, but you will need to adjust the amount of salt in the recipe, as salted butter will affect the final taste.

2. How can I store the tarts?
It is best to keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they can stay fresh for 2-3 days.

3. Can I make the dough in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. When you're ready to bake, take it out and let it come to room temperature before using.

4. What other recipes can I combine the tarts with?
These tarts are excellent alongside a fresh fruit salad or even with a scoop of ice cream for a more complex dessert.

Cream tarts are not just a dessert, but a true culinary experience. Each bite is a perfect combination of textures and flavors that will make you come back for more. So gather your ingredients, invite your friends to the table, and enjoy these wonderful sweet creations!