Puff Pastry Strawberry Tarts. Puff pastry, strawberries, almonds and mint. These super simple puff pastry strawberry tarts taste like spring and are the perfect make ahead dessert for Easter.
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Ingredients
- Puff pastry
- Fresh strawberries
- Raw cane sugar
- Pure vanilla extract
- Lemon juice
- Egg
- Sliced almonds
For serving
- Fresh mint
- Ice cream or whipped cream
Instructions
Macerate the Strawberries. Mix the strawberries, sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Prep the Puff Pastry. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to a 12″ x 12″ square. Then using a pizza cutter or knife divide that square into 9 – 4” x 4” squares.
Score and Prick the Pastry. Using a knife, lightly score a line ½” from the edge of the pastry on each of the four sides. Then with a fork, prick the center of each square a few times.
Transfer to Baking Sheet. Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper, then place the 9 pastry squares on the parchment.
Brush with Egg Wash. Using a pastry brush, add the beaten egg onto the outer edges of the pastry.
Optional – Add a Twist. Simple Variations to Elevate Your Tarts Add an extra layer of flavour beneath the strawberries with these easy and affordable options.
Add the Strawberries. Strain the strawberries from the juices. Then place approximately ⅓ of a cup of strawberries in the centre of each square.
Top with Almonds and Sugar. Sprinkle a few almond slices over the strawberries. Sprinkle the outer edges with sugar.
Chill Before Baking. Place the tray in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. This is a crucial step, puff pastry needs to be chilled, when going into the hot oven in order for it to rise properly. Chilling the pastry ensures the buttery layers remain separate and flaky.
Bake to Golden Perfection. Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 25-35 minutes or until the pastry has risen and is golden brown.
Garnish and Serve. Sprinkle with fresh mint and serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream. Enjoy!
Watch how these easy strawberry tarts are made here.
Simple Variations to Elevate Your Tarts
Add an extra layer of flavour beneath the strawberries with these easy and affordable options:
1. Nutella Delight
Before adding your strawberries, spread a thin layer of Nutella over the baked puff pastry base. The rich, chocolate-hazelnut flavour pairs beautifully with the sweet strawberries, adding a decadent twist with zero effort
2. Sweetened Cream Cheese
(Bakes Smooth and Tangy): Mix softened cream cheese with a bit of sugar, an egg yolk, and vanilla for a creamy base.
Ingredients:
- 125 g (4.5 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1½ tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- ⅜ teaspoon vanilla extract (or just under ½ tsp)
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth.
2. Spread 1 tablespoon of the mixture onto the centre of each puff pastry square, leaving a border around the edges.
3. Top with strawberries and bake as directed.
3. Vanilla Custard Paste Using Custard Powder
(Old School Bakery Vibes) Mix custard powder with sugar, milk, and vanilla for a nostalgic, lightly set custard layer.
Ingredients:
- 1½ tablespoons custard powder
- 1½ tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions:
1. Stir all ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth and thick.
2. Spread 2 teaspoons of the custard paste in the centre of each puff pastry square.
3. Top with strawberries and bake as directed.
Puff Pastry Tip
Work quickly. If the puff pastry starts getting warm it becomes harder to use and will not puff up as nicely. Simply place pastry back into the fridge for 5-10 minutes, then continue assembling.
Equipment Used: Baked using my Hestan Culinary OvenBond Tri-ply Half Sheet Pan. Hestan Culinary Ambassador. The opinions in this post are always my own.
Leave a Comment
Did you try this recipe, or one of the tasty variations? We’d love to hear what you thought! Please leave a rating and review below to let us know how it turned out!
📖 Recipe
Puff Pastry Strawberry Tarts
Ingredients
- 1 roll puff pastry defrosted as per box instructions
- 3 cups fresh strawberries hulled and cut in half
- 3 tablespoons raw cane sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
For serving
- Mint cut into ribbons
- Ice cream or whipped cream
Instructions
Macerate the Strawberries
- Mix the strawberries, sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Prep the Puff Pastry
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to a 12″ x 12″ square. Then using a pizza cutter or knife divide that square into 9 – 4” x 4” squares.
Score and Prick the Pastry
- Using a knife, lightly score a line ½” from the edge of the pastry on each of the four sides. Then with a fork, prick the center of each square a few times.
Transfer to Baking Sheet
- Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper, then place the 9 pastry squares on the parchment.
Brush with Egg Wash
- Using a pastry brush, add the beaten egg onto the outer edges of the pastry.
Optional – Add a Twist
- Variations to Elevate Your Tarts: Add an extra layer of flavour beneath the strawberries with these easy and affordable options: (see instructions in notes)
Add the Strawberries
- Next, strain the strawberries from the juices. Then place approximately ⅓ of a cup of strawberries in the centre each square.
Top with Almonds and Sugar
- Sprinkle a few almond slices over the strawberries. Sprinkle the outer edges with sugar.
Chill Before Baking
- Place the tray in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. This is a crucial step, puff pastry needs to be chilled, when going into the hot oven in order for it to rise properly. Chilling the pastry ensures the buttery layers remain separate and flaky.
Bake to Golden Perfection
- Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 25-35 minutes or until the pastry has risen and is golden brown.
Garnish and Serve
- Sprinkle with fresh mint and serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream. Enjoy!
Rate This Recipe
- Did you try this recipe, or one of the tasty variations? We’d love to hear what you thought! Please leave a rating and review below to let us know how it turned out!
Video
Notes
-
- 125 g (4.5 oz) cream cheese, softened
-
- 1½ tablespoons granulated sugar
-
- 1 egg yolk
-
- ⅜ teaspoon vanilla extract (or just under ½ tsp)
- In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Spread 1 tablespoon of the mixture onto the centre of each puff pastry square, leaving a border around the edges.
- Top with strawberries and bake as directed.
-
- 1½ tablespoons custard powder
-
- 1½ tablespoons granulated sugar
-
- 3 tablespoons milk
-
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- Stir all ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth and thick.
- Spread 2 teaspoons of the custard paste in the centre of each puff pastry square.
- Top with strawberries and bake as directed.
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