Apple Cream Cheese Tarts
The perfect blend of sweet and creamy, Apple Cream Cheese Tarts are a delightful treat for any occasion. With a flaky puff pastry base and a luscious filling of fresh apples and cream cheese, these easy-to-make tarts are sure to impress. Treat yourself to these scrumptious bites tonight!
Equipment
- Skillet
- Oven
- Peeler
- Chef's Knife
- Mixing Bowl
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 large apple peeled, core removed, and sliced thin
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 sheets whole-wheat puff pastry
- 1/4 cup cream cheese fat-free, softened
- 3 tablespoons coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees. This ensures that your tarts will bake evenly. While it heats up, lightly spray a muffin tin with non-stick spray and set it aside. This will help your tarts release easily after baking.
- In a small skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the thinly sliced apple and lemon juice. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the apples start to soften and become fragrant. Remove the skillet from the heat and pat the apples dry with a paper towel.
- Next, prepare the puff pastry. Unroll each sheet and cut them into four equal strips. You should have a total of eight strips. This is where the magic happens!
- Spread a layer of softened cream cheese onto each strip of pastry. Make sure it's an even layer, allowing the creamy goodness to meld perfectly with the apples.
- Now, sprinkle the coconut sugar over the cream cheese. This will create a delightful sweet layer that caramelizes beautifully during baking.
- Top each strip with the sautéed apple mixture from earlier, spreading them evenly to ensure every bite is filled with flavor.
- Fold each pastry strip in half lengthwise, encasing the filling and creating a beautiful pocket. Roll them into a spiral shape, working from one end to the other, similar to how you would make a cinnamon roll.
- Gently place each rolled tart into the prepared muffin cup, making sure that the spiral side is facing up. This allows the tarts to rise beautifully as they bake.
- In a small bowl, combine cinnamon and honey. Lightly glaze the top of each tart using a pastry brush. This will give them a lovely shine and extra flavor.
- Finally, bake your tarts in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes or until they turn golden brown and puffed. When they're done, allow them to cool slightly in the muffin tin before serving. Enjoy the delightful aroma that fills your kitchen!
Notes
- Storage: To keep leftovers fresh, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Freezing: If you want to prepare them ahead of time, you can freeze the unbaked tarts. Just bake them straight from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
- Variations: Feel free to experiment with different fruits or spices to create your personalized version of this tart.