Mini Peach Cream Cheese Tarts Recipe
If you’re looking for a delightful bite-sized dessert that’s both fresh and decadent, this Mini Peach Cream Cheese Tarts Recipe will totally steal your heart. I’ve made these little gems more times than I can count, and every time, they turn out flaky, creamy, and just the right balance of sweet and tangy. Whether you want to impress guests at a brunch or just treat yourself to a fancy afternoon snack, these mini tarts won’t disappoint. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll be hooked!
Why This Recipe Works
- Flaky, Buttery Crust: Using cold butter grated directly into the flour ensures a tender, flaky crust every time.
- Cream Cheese & Peach Harmony: The smooth cream cheese balances the juicy sweetness of fresh peaches perfectly.
- Intriguing Honey Drizzle: The spice-infused honey adds a subtle warmth that elevates the whole tart experience.
- Simple, Rustic Approach: No complicated steps, just delicious layers of flavor you’ll love.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Mini Peach Cream Cheese Tarts Recipe has a special role. From the flour to the honey drizzle, they all come together harmoniously. Buying fresh, ripe peaches is the key here – you’ll want peaches that hold their shape when baked but still have juicy sweetness.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base for the tart dough, it makes the crust tender yet sturdy enough to hold the filling.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds just a touch of sweetness to the dough, balancing the tartness of the peaches.
- Cold Unsalted Butter: I like to grate this instead of cutting it into chunks because it distributes more evenly, giving those lovely flaky layers.
- Ice Water & White Distilled Vinegar: The vinegar is a secret player here; it helps tenderize the dough without adding any flavor.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Brushing this on before baking creates a beautiful golden finish on the crust edges.
- Cinnamon Sugar: Sprinkled on top of the dough edges, it adds a warm, crunchy touch.
- Fresh Peach: Use the freshest you can find—this is the star of the filling and should shine with flavor and texture.
- Cream Cheese: I prefer thin slices so each bite has just enough creamy richness without overpowering the peaches.
- Honey, Lemon Juice, Cinnamon & Ginger: This honey drizzle adds a thoughtful kick and balances the sweetness perfectly.
Tweak to Your Taste
I love how easy it is to customize the Mini Peach Cream Cheese Tarts Recipe. Whether you want to dial up the spices or swap in a different fruit, the basic structure lets you get creative without any fuss.
- Fruit Variations: I once swapped peaches for fresh plums—equally delicious and a little tangier, which was a nice twist.
- Spice Adjustments: Feel free to add cardamom or nutmeg to the honey drizzle for extra depth. I find ground ginger pairs best but sometimes go bold.
- Crust Enhancements: If you’re feeling indulgent, a sprinkle of finely chopped toasted nuts over the peaches adds crunch.
- Diet-Friendly: You can use vegan butter and vegan cream cheese alternatives if you want to keep these dairy-free. Tastes great but the texture might be slightly different.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Mini Peach Cream Cheese Tarts Recipe
Step 1: Making the Flaky Tart Dough
Start by mixing flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Then, grate your cold butter right into the flour mixture. Seriously, I find grating the butter is a game-changer – it’s faster and the butter bits are nicely uniform, which means flakier crust! Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix it until the butter pieces are about pea-sized. Next, mix the ice water and vinegar, and add a little at a time until your dough just holds together when squeezed. Don’t overwork it – you want it a bit scrappy, not smooth. Wrap the dough in plastic and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to rest and chill.
Step 2: Preparing the Peach and Cream Cheese Filling
While the dough chills, slice the peach into even slices—about four per tart is just right, but feel free to add or subtract depending on how fruity you want each bite. Slice your cream cheese thinly—two slices per tart give that perfect balance of richness without overpowering the peaches.
Step 3: Making the Honey Drizzle
Mix the lemon juice, cinnamon, and ground ginger in a small bowl. Stir in the honey until everything’s incorporated. This drizzle adds a bright, warming note that is the secret icing on the cake (or tart in this case!).
Step 4: Rolling, Folding & Assembling
Flour your surface lightly, then roll the chilled dough into a rectangle. Fold it like a business letter — into thirds — then roll and fold once more. This layering creates those delightful flaky layers that I love so much. After the final roll, cut the dough into four equal squares. Place those squares on your baking sheet, folding the edges up about 1/4 inch to create a crust ‘wall’. Layer two slices of cream cheese in the center, drizzle with some honey mixture, then top with peach slices. Brush the edges with heavy cream and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar to add a beautiful golden color and a little crunch. Drizzle more honey over the tarts before baking.
Step 5: Baking to Perfection
Pop the tarts into a 425°F oven, and bake for 18–22 minutes until golden brown and irresistibly inviting. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly but enjoy them warm to get that melty cream cheese and juicy peach combo at its best. For an extra touch, drizzle more of the honey mixture right before serving.
Pro Tips for Making Mini Peach Cream Cheese Tarts Recipe
- Grate Butter for Flakiness: Grating cold butter makes it easier to mix evenly and helps create flaky layers in the crust.
- Don’t Overhydrate Dough: Add ice water slowly—too much water can make the crust tough instead of tender and flaky.
- Chill Dough Twice: Rolling and folding the dough twice with chilling between helps those flaky layers develop beautifully.
- Use Fresh Peaches: Fresh peaches hold up much better in baking than canned and give you that juicy texture you’re craving.
How to Serve Mini Peach Cream Cheese Tarts Recipe
Garnishes
I love to finish these tarts with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a few fresh mint leaves for a pop of color and herbal freshness. Sometimes I add a tiny dollop of whipped cream or Greek yogurt on the side for extra creaminess.
Side Dishes
For brunch, I pair these mini tarts with a simple green salad or a bowl of fresh berries. They also shine as a sweet finish after a light summer meal, alongside a cup of herbal tea or iced coffee.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like to serve these tarts on a rustic wooden board with small jars of honey and bowls of fresh peach slices and cream cheese on the side so guests can customize their own bites. They’re great as finger food for showers or garden parties, especially when paired with a fruity punch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover tarts in an airtight container in the fridge—they stay pretty good for up to 2 days. I always prefer to eat them fresh and warm, but if you need to save some, cold bites are still delicious.
Freezing
I’ve frozen the tart dough successfully for up to 3 months—just wrap it tightly in plastic and use a freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. When ready to bake, thaw it overnight in the fridge and proceed as usual. I don’t recommend freezing the fully baked tarts because the peaches lose texture and the crust can become soggy after thawing.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the tarts into a 350°F oven for about 8–10 minutes until warm and crisp again. This helps revive the flaky crust without making the peaches mushy. Microwaving tends to make the crust soggy, so I avoid that.
FAQs
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Can I use canned peaches for the Mini Peach Cream Cheese Tarts Recipe?
You technically can, but I don’t recommend it. Canned peaches tend to be too soft and watery, which can make your tarts soggy. Fresh peaches provide the best texture and natural sweetness when baked.
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How do I get a flaky crust for my Mini Peach Cream Cheese Tarts?
Cold butter is your best friend—grate it directly into the flour and work quickly to keep it cold. Also, the roll-and-fold technique with chilling between rests helps develop those perfect flaky layers.
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Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute vegan butter and vegan cream cheese alternatives. The texture might be slightly different, but it still makes a tasty tart. Just be sure to keep the butter cold and follow the same dough technique.
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How long will the Mini Peach Cream Cheese Tarts keep?
They’re best enjoyed fresh on the day you bake them, but stored in an airtight container in the fridge, they’ll last up to two days without losing too much quality.
Final Thoughts
This Mini Peach Cream Cheese Tarts Recipe is one I always come back to when I want to feel a little fancy without a lot of fuss. Flaky pastry, juicy peaches, and that creamy cheese layer… it all feels so indulgent and satisfying, yet it’s simple enough for a weeknight treat or a weekend get-together. I hope you’ll give it a try—there’s something about baking these tarts that just fills my kitchen with warmth and good vibes, and I know you’ll love sharing that with your people too!
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Mini Peach Cream Cheese Tarts Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
- Yield: 4 tarts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Mini Peach and Cream Cheese Tarts are a delightful blend of flaky homemade tart dough, creamy cheese, and fresh peach slices, all topped with a fragrant honey drizzle infused with cinnamon and ginger. Easy to prepare and perfect for a warm snack or light dessert, these tarts bring together sweet and tangy flavors with a crisp, buttery crust.
Ingredients
Tart Dough
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed or grated
- 3 to 4 tablespoons ice water
- 1/4 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
- 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream (for brushing dough)
- Cinnamon sugar (for sprinkling dough)
Peach Tart Filling
- 1 fresh peach, one half cut into slices
- 3 to 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
Honey Drizzle
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Prepare Tart Dough: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the butter pieces are about pea-sized, or grate the butter and stir it in for even distribution.
- Add Liquid: Mix 2 tablespoons of ice water with vinegar in a liquid measuring cup and add to the flour mixture. Stir with fingers or fork until a rough dough forms. Add additional ice water, one teaspoon at a time, if the dough is too dry. Dough should hold together when squeezed but remain scrappy.
- Chill Dough: Transfer dough onto plastic wrap, form into a ball, then flatten into a disc. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Slice Peach and Cream Cheese: Slice half of the peach into 4 even slices per tart. Slice cream cheese into 8 thin even slices so each tart will have 2 slices.
- Make Honey Drizzle: In a small bowl, stir together lemon juice, cinnamon, and ginger. Add honey and mix until well combined.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and position the oven rack in the middle.
- Roll and Fold Dough: Lightly flour your work surface. Roll dough into a rectangle and fold into thirds like a business letter. Repeat rolling and folding once more. Finally, roll into a 9×9-inch square and cut into 4 equal pieces.
- Assemble Tarts: Place pastry squares on a baking sheet. Fold up edges about 1/4 inch to form a wall. Place two cream cheese slices in the center of each square and drizzle a little honey mixture over the cheese.
- Add Peach and Finish Tarts: Arrange peach slices evenly on top of each tart. Brush dough edges with heavy cream and sprinkle cinnamon sugar generously over the edges. Drizzle additional honey drizzle over the entire tart.
- Bake: Bake for 22 minutes or until tarts are golden brown. Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly. For best flavor, enjoy warm on the day of baking. Drizzle more honey before serving.
Notes
- This recipe yields 4 small tarts; it can be doubled for more servings.
- The tarts have a rustic look—feel free to make them any shape or size you like.
- Fresh peaches are recommended for their firmness and texture after baking.
- Slicing cream cheese thinly helps with even melting but adjust thickness to your preference.
- Try variations of the honey drizzle by adding spices like cardamom, nutmeg, or clove for different flavor profiles.
- Dough can be frozen for up to 3 months when wrapped tightly; thaw in refrigerator before use.
- Store tarts at room temperature up to 8 hours or refrigerate leftovers in a covered container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tart
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
