If you’re looking for a delightful dessert that feels both elegant and effortlessly charming, this Mini Peach and Cream Cheese Tarts Recipe is an absolute winner. Each mini tart features a buttery, golden crust cradling a luxuriously creamy filling with a hint of cinnamon, topped with sweet, juicy peach slices that burst with fresh flavor. It’s a small bite of sunshine that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate — perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to a sweet moment any day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple but essential ingredients come together beautifully to create a harmony of creamy, fruity, and buttery notes. Each element plays a vital role in giving the tarts their irresistible texture, flavor, and visual appeal.
- Refrigerated pie crusts (or homemade pie dough): The flaky base that holds everything together, providing a golden and tender shell.
- Cream cheese, softened: Creates a smooth and rich filling that’s mildly tangy and heavenly in texture.
- Powdered sugar: Adds just the right touch of sweetness without graininess, perfect for a silky cream cheese blend.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the cream cheese with a warm, aromatic note that elevates the overall flavor.
- Ground cinnamon: Infuses a subtle spice that complements the fruitiness of the peaches and adds depth.
- Peach slices in syrup, drained (or fresh peaches, sliced): The star of the show — juicy and tender slices that bring natural sweetness and a lovely color contrast.
- Peach preserves or apricot jam (optional): For glazing, this adds a glossy finish and an extra layer of fruity sweetness that makes the tarts shine.
How to Make Mini Peach and Cream Cheese Tarts Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out your pie crust dough and cut it into circles sized to fit your mini tart pans or muffin tin. Carefully press each dough circle into the mold, forming a little crust shell. Bake these for about 10 to 12 minutes, until they turn a gorgeous golden brown. This creates the perfect sturdy yet tender base that will hold the creamy filling and peaches without getting soggy.
Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
While the crusts cool, whip up the filling by beating together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon. Mix everything until it’s perfectly smooth and creamy — this is going to be the luscious heart of your tarts. The cinnamon adds a cozy warmth that pairs magically with the fresh peach slices.
Step 3: Assemble Your Tarts
Once the tart shells have cooled completely, spoon a generous dollop of the cream cheese filling into each one. The filling should stay firm enough to hold its shape but remain creamy and inviting.
Step 4: Top with Peaches
Carefully arrange your peach slices on top of the cream cheese filling. Whether you choose canned peaches or fresh, their bright color and juicy sweetness will make these tarts pop with appeal. If you want to add a special finishing touch, warm the peach preserves or apricot jam for a few seconds and gently brush it over the peaches for that irresistible glossy shine.
Step 5: Chill Before Serving
Pop the tarts into the refrigerator for at least an hour. This chilling time lets the flavors meld beautifully and helps the filling set just right before you serve these delightful mini treats.
How to Serve Mini Peach and Cream Cheese Tarts Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a little extra flair on top can elevate your Mini Peach and Cream Cheese Tarts Recipe to the next level. Fresh mint leaves, a light dusting of powdered sugar, or even a sprinkle of finely chopped toasted almonds bring delightful texture and color contrasts that make your presentation pop.
Side Dishes
Pair your tarts with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent dessert experience. For a lighter touch, serve alongside a fresh berry salad or a cup of herbal tea to balance sweetness with freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Thinking beyond the classic tart pans? Consider serving your tarts on an elegant tiered dessert stand for a party, or place each tart inside pretty paper cupcake liners for a cute and convenient individual dessert. These small tweaks make a big impression while keeping things fun and approachable.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (they tend to disappear quickly though), store your Mini Peach and Cream Cheese Tarts Recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The crust may soften slightly, but the flavours will remain deliciously fresh.
Freezing
While freezing is possible, it’s best to freeze only the baked tart shells before adding the cream cheese filling and peaches. Wrap shells tightly and freeze for up to a month. When ready to serve, thaw shells and assemble fresh to maintain the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
Because these tarts are best enjoyed chilled, reheating isn’t generally recommended. However, if you prefer the crust slightly warm, briefly heat the tart shells before adding filling, then chill again before assembling.
FAQs
Can I use fresh peaches instead of canned?
Absolutely! Fresh peaches add a wonderful natural sweetness and juiciness. Just be sure to slice them thinly so they fit nicely on the tarts and consider lightly tossing them with a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning.
Is there a substitute for cream cheese?
You can substitute mascarpone or ricotta cheese for a different texture and flavor, but cream cheese offers the perfect balance of tanginess and creaminess that best complements the peaches in this recipe.
How do I prevent the crust from becoming soggy?
Baking the crust shells until golden and cooling them completely before adding the filling helps keep them crisp. Also, chilling the assembled tarts allows the filling to set without making the crust soggy.
Can this recipe be made vegan?
Yes! Use a vegan pie crust and substitute the cream cheese with a plant-based cream cheese alternative. Just make sure to select peach preserves or jam that is free from animal products for glazing.
What’s the best way to serve these at a party?
Arrange the mini tarts on a beautiful platter with fresh mint sprigs or edible flowers. Providing small dessert forks or toothpicks makes serving easy, and the bite-sized portion is perfect for mingling guests.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, the Mini Peach and Cream Cheese Tarts Recipe is guaranteed to delight. From the buttery crust to the creamy filling and sweet peaches, every bite feels like a little celebration of fresh flavors. Don’t hesitate to whip up a batch — these tarts are a sure way to brighten any day and impress your loved ones with your baking charm.
Print
Mini Peach and Cream Cheese Tarts Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 mini tarts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Mini Peach and Cream Cheese Tarts combine flaky, buttery pie crusts with a smooth, sweetened cream cheese filling and juicy peach slices. Perfectly glazed with peach preserves for an elegant shine, these bite-sized tarts are a delightful dessert or snack that come together quickly with simple ingredients. Ideal for summer gatherings or anytime you want a fresh, fruity treat.
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- 1 package refrigerated pie crusts (or homemade pie dough)
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Fruit Topping
- 1 can peach slices in syrup, drained (or fresh peaches, sliced)
- 1 tablespoon peach preserves or apricot jam (optional, for glazing)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the tart shells.
- Prepare Crusts: Roll out the pie crust dough and cut into circles that fit mini tart pans or a muffin tin, ensuring uniform size for even baking.
- Bake Crusts: Press the dough circles gently into the pans and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and set. Remove and cool completely before filling.
- Make Cream Cheese Filling: While crusts cool, beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until smooth and creamy.
- Fill Tart Shells: Spoon the cream cheese mixture evenly into each cooled tart shell, filling them generously.
- Add Peach Slices: Arrange the drained peach slices artfully on top of the cream cheese filling, using fresh peaches if preferred.
- Glaze Tarts (Optional): Warm the peach preserves or apricot jam briefly in the microwave to soften, then drizzle a thin layer over the peach slices to create a glossy, attractive finish.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the assembled tarts for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and filling to set before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh peaches when in season for a fresher flavor.
- Use homemade pie dough for a more buttery and flaky crust if desired.
- The glaze is optional but adds a beautiful finish and extra sweetness.
- Ensure cream cheese is fully softened to make beating easier and achieve a smoother filling.
- These tarts can be made a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
