Tartlet Recipe

If you’ve ever admired those dainty little tartlets lined up at bakery counters—filled with creamy goodness and topped with glistening fruit—you’re not alone. The good news is that you can recreate these beautiful treats right in your own kitchen with this simple tartlet recipe. Whether you’re hosting an afternoon tea or just want to indulge in a sweet homemade dessert, these tartlets will win hearts and impress taste buds.

Let’s dive into this step-by-step tartlet recipe that combines buttery crusts with a smooth pastry cream filling and endless topping possibilities.

What Are Tartlets?

Tartlets are miniature versions of tarts—essentially small pastry shells filled with sweet or savory ingredients. In this recipe, we focus on the sweet kind, making tartlets with a buttery crust and a creamy vanilla pastry cream. They’re perfect for parties, celebrations, or just as a lovely treat with your coffee.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before starting, gather the following ingredients. They’re all common pantry staples, so there’s a good chance you already have everything you need.

For the Tartlet Dough:

• 100 g butter (at room temperature)

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 1 egg

• 2 to 2.5 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 packet vanilla sugar (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)

For the Pastry Cream:

• 2 cups milk

• 2 tablespoons flour

• 3 tablespoons starch (either cornstarch or wheat starch)

• 1 packet vanilla sugar (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 1 egg

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 100 ml heavy cream (approximately half a packet)

Step-by-Step Process to Make Perfect Tartlets

Step 1: Prepare the Tartlet Dough

In a large bowl, knead together the butter, powdered sugar, egg, vanilla sugar (or extract), and 2 to 2.5 cups of flour. Adjust the flour as needed until the dough becomes soft and pliable. Wrap the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Roll and Shape the Dough

Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll it out to about 3–4 mm thickness. Cut out circles using a round cutter. Flip a muffin tin upside down and place each dough circle over the back of the cups to form the tartlet shells. Prick the dough lightly with a fork to prevent puffing during baking.

Step 3: Bake the Tartlet Shells

Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F). Bake the shaped dough for about 20 minutes or until lightly golden. Let the tartlet shells cool completely before removing them from the muffin tin.

Step 4: Cook the Pastry Cream

In a saucepan, combine milk, flour, starch, egg, and sugar. Cook over medium heat while stirring continuously until the mixture thickens. Once thickened, remove it from the heat and stir in the butter until fully melted.

Step 5: Finish the Cream

Let the cooked cream cool to room temperature. Then add vanilla sugar (or extract) and heavy cream. Beat the mixture using a mixer until smooth, creamy, and fluffy.

Step 6: Assemble and Decorate

Fill each cooled tartlet shell with the pastry cream using a spoon or piping bag. Decorate with fresh fruits, nuts, chocolate, or any toppings you love. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Tips for Success

• Don’t Overbake: Watch the tartlet shells carefully during baking. Overbaking can make them too hard and dry.

• Use Fresh Ingredients: High-quality butter and fresh eggs make a noticeable difference in flavor.

• Get Creative with Toppings: Use seasonal fruits, caramel drizzle, or even a touch of lemon zest for extra flair.

Creative Topping Ideas to Elevate Your Tartlets

Once your tartlet shells are filled with smooth, creamy pastry cream, the real fun begins—toppings! Toppings don’t just make your tartlets look beautiful, they also add texture and extra bursts of flavor. Whether you want to keep it classic or go bold, here are a few topping ideas to inspire your next batch.

Fresh Fruits
Nothing beats the elegance and freshness of fruit-topped tartlets. Strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, mango, raspberries, or sliced peaches all pair beautifully with pastry cream. For added shine, brush the fruit with a little warm apricot jam to create that professional glossy finish.

Chocolate Lovers’ Dream
For chocolate fans, drizzle melted dark or white chocolate over the cream, or add a chocolate curl or two for decoration. Mini chocolate chips or a sprinkle of cocoa powder also add a nice touch without overwhelming the tartlet.

Nutty Crunch
To add some crunch, top your tartlets with chopped pistachios, toasted almonds, or crushed hazelnuts. Not only do they enhance the texture, but they also bring in a nutty richness that balances the sweet cream.

Edible Flowers and Herbs
For something elegant and Instagram-worthy, try adding edible flowers like pansies or violets. You can also use a tiny mint leaf or a sprinkle of lemon zest to give your tartlets a refreshing finish.

Customize for Any Occasion
Whether it’s a birthday, a baby shower, or a weekend treat, you can decorate your tartlets to match any theme. Use colored sprinkles for kids, gold dust for parties, or even themed toppers to personalize each one.

No matter how you top them, tartlets always look impressive and taste incredible!

Why You’ll Love This Tartlet Recipe

This tartlet recipe hits all the right notes—simple, versatile, and incredibly satisfying. The tartlet shells are crisp and buttery, the pastry cream is smooth and rich, and the toppings can be as creative as you want. These treats look sophisticated but are surprisingly easy to make at home.

Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner looking for a show-stopping dessert, tartlets are a go-to choice. Make them for special occasions, or just to treat yourself—you’ll love every bite.

Final Thoughts

Tartlets are the kind of dessert that brings joy to any table. With a tender crust and creamy filling, they feel luxurious without being overly complicated. This tartlet recipe is ideal for anyone who wants to create a beautiful dessert from scratch without spending hours in the kitchen.

Serve them at parties, birthdays, or even as part of a brunch spread. One thing’s for sure—once you try them, you’ll be making these tartlets again and again.

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Tartlet Recipe

Delicious homemade tartlet recipe with creamy filling and creative topping ideas. Perfect for any occasion or sweet craving!

Type: Dessert

Cuisine: European / French-inspired

Keywords: tartlet recipe, mini tart dessert, pastry cream tart, fruit tartlets, tart shell recipe

Recipe Yield: 12 tartlets

Calories: Approximately 220 per tartlet (varies based on toppings)

Preparation Time: 25 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Recipe Ingredients:

• 100 g butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 to 2.5 cups flour
• 1 packet vanilla sugar
• 2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 3 tablespoons starch (cornstarch or wheat starch)
• 1 packet vanilla sugar (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 egg
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 100 ml heavy cream

Recipe Instructions:

Prepare the Tartlet Dough:

In a large bowl, knead together the butter, powdered sugar, egg, vanilla sugar (or extract), and 2 to 2.5 cups of flour. Adjust the flour as needed until the dough becomes soft and pliable. Wrap the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.

Roll and Shape the Dough:

Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll it out to about 3–4 mm thickness. Cut out circles using a round cutter. Flip a muffin tin upside down and place each dough circle over the back of the cups to form the tartlet shells. Prick the dough lightly with a fork to prevent puffing during baking.

Bake the Tartlet Shells:

Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F). Bake the shaped dough for about 20 minutes or until lightly golden. Let the tartlet shells cool completely before removing them from the muffin tin.

Cook the Pastry Cream:

In a saucepan, combine milk, flour, starch, egg, and sugar. Cook over medium heat while stirring continuously until the mixture thickens. Once thickened, remove it from the heat and stir in the butter until fully melted.

Finish the Cream:

Let the cooked cream cool to room temperature. Then add vanilla sugar (or extract) and heavy cream. Beat the mixture using a mixer until smooth, creamy, and fluffy.

Assemble and Decorate:

Fill each cooled tartlet shell with the pastry cream using a spoon or piping bag. Decorate with fresh fruits, nuts, chocolate, or any toppings you love. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.