This is one of my good ole standbys for quick, easy and delicious desserts that can be made ahead of time. I love these little bite-size treats and they are perfect for any kind of gathering. This version was originally in Tart Shell Fillings Eight Ways but the post needed some better pictures. So I decided to repost it and give it a special place on its own. Custard and cream fillings – so rich but always good, especially when topped with fresh fruit or a piece of chocolate. Not too hard on the diet if you only have one or two. Look out for munchkins who “steal” the fruit 🙂
In addition to the above post check out Raspberry-Cream Shortbread Tartlets using pudding and a no-cook Baklava Tart Filling.
The tarts above I purchased but you can make your own. See Tart Shell Doughs Five Ways which includes pastry dough, chocolate cups and graham cracker crust. “Fill and serve” makes this dessert really easy.
Also, I have been absent from the blogging world since my last post on April 12th of this year. I not only moved but I downsized. My previous moves were always into a bigger house – thus more room to store things, especially kitchen items. But moving from a house to a condo is going to take some great organizational skills!
How does one fit a large kitchen into a much smaller one? I may have downsized furniture wise but my kitchen gadgets are not easy to part with. How could I decide what I wanted to keep – you know how it goes, as soon as you get rid of something you wish you hadn’t! I am making slow progress and hope to be organized soon. Thankfully I do have a large basement and 2 car garage for kitchen overflow. Even for this post I could not find my chocolate leaf molds to add to the tarts. I did, however, make chocolate tarts so that took care of the chocolate issue.
Also, I have missed stopping by and commenting on a number of favorite bloggers and plan to get back into the groove. Moving is stressful, but downsizing makes it ten times worse!
Custard Filling For Mini Tart Shells
- 2 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp. cornstarch
- 1-1/2 cups whole milk
- 2 egg yolks, lightly beaten
- 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
- fresh fruit such as sliced strawberries, blueberries and blackberries
- chocolate leaves
Beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Then add the sour cream until smooth and set aside.
In a saucepan add the cornstarch and sugar; stir in the milk until smooth. Cook, stirring constantly until the mixture is thickened, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat and cook an additional 2 minutes.
Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of the hot mixture into the egg yolks and return to the pan. Do this carefully as you do not want the eggs to curdle. This happened to me a long time ago but only once as I learned my lesson! Bring to a gentle boil and cook while stirring, for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla and sour cream mixture. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com
Linking to Fiesta Friday.
Update – here are some pictures of chocolate molds.
I know where you are coming from with the downsizing. In the end, we are very happy that we made the move. Yes, I got rid of a lot of my kitchen goodies but I kept enough to get me through most recipe creations. Speaking of creations, your little tarts are very enticing.
Thanks Karen – I know you had a big move. I still have most of my kitchen goodies so for now I will use closets, the garage and basement for the overflow. Next step will be to decide what I really need. One step at a time 🙂
These tasty morsels are perfect for easy entertaining. Glad to see you back! 🙂
Thanks Ronit – they are easy to make and a favorite especially if I am short on time. Like recently with all the unpacking, trying to find things and then remembering where I put them 🙂
Yea you got moved! I don’t know what I could give up. Seriously just reading this I was thinking I need to get some chocolate leaf molds LOL! I love these little tarts. They are perfect for a nice light dessert and I’m sure little hands made it hard to keep the fruit in place.
Thanks Julie. It’s been a long two months and I had a month to move a lot of my stuff which definitely helped with the stress. Garden items and furniture I downsized but very little of my kitchen gadgets. Very hard to give up anything 🙂
Welcome back! Hope your move was not too difficult!
Thanks so much! Moving is hard but downsizing is stressful.
They look fantastic, would be great for a summer party 😀
Thanks – perfect when local fruit is available. Can always add some chocolate too 🙂
It’s nice to have you post again! This looks perfect for a summer dessert, yum! Good luck organizing in your new place. I can relate to your dilemma as when we moved here I went from having a storage pantry in the kitchen to none here. The good thing is that I have a bigger kitchen here with a few more cupboards and many drawyers. I’m sure you’ll figure out some clever ways to save space. 😎💜
Thanks so much – I have a nicer quality kitchen but less storage space. For now my kitchen is spread throughout the entire condo. I am gradually finding a place for things and I have even donated some to Goodwill. Long, slow process but it will work out.
Nice to see you, I wondered where you’d gone?!
Good luck with the organising, I know that downsizing comes to all of us eventually, but I don’t envy you!!
Thanks Elaine – 4 bedroom 1 acre to a 2 bedroom (plus office) condo with a 2 car garage and full basement is quite the challenge. It was hard to give up a lot of my gardening items and even canning supplies. So far I am hanging on to most of my kitchen stuff 🙂
Golly, that is a change! I’m sure you’ll acclimatise but I can imagine it’s a big adjustment..
What a visual treat those little ones are. Looking delicious.
I know what you are talking about Judi. Kitchen gadgets are difficult to part with. Their need arises as soon as they are disposed. I am sure you will get the hang of things soon. All the best👍🏻😊
Thanks Ana – would you believe it has already happened. I got rid of something I wish I hadn’t! The tarts are very tasty and so easy if you buy the pre-baked shells 🙂
Ahhh, I love your page! Real food recipes that look so so goos, I can’t wait to try one (or some more xx) or them! Keep it up!
Thanks so much as everyone seems to love bite-sized treats!
Lovely! It is so hard to move and to downsize! Hope all is well xx
Thanks Lynn – it will take awhile but I will get organized 🙂
It’s hard to move
Good to see you back Aunt Juju and funny as I’m about to slightly downsize from a large apartment to an even smaller one – slowly selling lots of belongings prior to the move to make it easier!
I ended up donating/giving away to family and leaving some things for the new owners. Trying to sell things would have been too stressful and too much work. I made a lot of people happy 🙂 I wish you the best in your move Laura!
Thanks Aunt Juju and agree with selling being stressful – that’s what I’m doing!
Such a palatable and appetizing treat! I will have to give it a try!
Thanks so much – everyone enjoys these bite size treats 🙂
Pingback: Custard Filling for Mini Tart Shells | homethoughtsfromabroad626
They look so pretty! Even without the chocolate leaf 😄 Reading your post makes me want to start paring down my belongings so it’ll be easy to downsize later on, lol. Stay calm, Judi, you can do it! 😂😂
Thanks Angie – a simple dessert! I just had to buy another cherry pitter because it’s packed away somewhere. I only use it once a year… Downsizing is tough but I especially miss all my beautiful gardens full of herbs, flowers and veggies. I have kept most of my kitchen items and they are stored everywhere 🙂
This looks simple enough even for me! I feel your pain about downsizing. Less space to clean but …. less space for everything you think you need. I’m sure you will figure it all out and organize everything that’s important. Remember in our twenties when we could create a meal with a spoon, a bowl and a hot plate?
Good luck,
Tracey
Thanks Tracey – I sure remember the hot plate that I had in my freshman year of undergrad school – a lifesaver 🙂 My condo is big and I am gradually finding a place for everything – I even have to buy a few new pieces of furniture (bookcases).
Looks delicious and so pretty!
Thanks Arlene – they are easy and great for entertaining 🙂