These strawberry mascarpone tartlets deliver a delicious blend of sweet strawberries and creamy mascarpone cheese, all nestled in a flaky puff pastry. They’re the ideal treat for a cozy gathering or a simple weeknight dinner.
This recipe addresses typical issues of a soggy base, unbalanced sweetness, and lack of richness found in many fruity desserts.
I once struggled with puff pastry sticking to my counter while assembling these tartlets; now, I always dust my surface with a little gluten-free flour blend. It makes the process so much simpler when you don’t have to wrestle with the dough. Whether you’re accommodating dietary restrictions or just looking for something light and airy, this recipe has your back.
With just 10 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of bake time, you’ll be enjoying these enticing bites in no time. The unique combination of fresh flavors and textures makes these tartlets a standout dessert that you can trust to impress your guests.
If you’re in the mood for another berry-inspired dessert, you might also enjoy my Strawberry Shortcake Tiramisu.
Table of contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Light and Flaky Texture , The gluten-free puff pastry provides a crisp and airy base that complements the creamy mascarpone, creating a satisfying contrast with each bite.
- Bright and Creamy Flavor , Fresh strawberries paired with the luscious mascarpone cheese and a touch of lemon zest deliver a refreshing and delightful taste that’s ideal for springtime gatherings.
- Quick to Prepare , With only 10 minutes of prep, these little tartlets can be whipped up in no time, making them a convenient treat for last-minute celebrations or weeknight desserts.
- Make-Ahead Friendly , You can prepare the pastry and mascarpone filling ahead of time, allowing for an easy assembly right before serving, ensuring maximum freshness when you share them with friends and family.
Strawberry Mascarpone Tartlets Dessert Bites
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cool Time:
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 25 1x
- Category: dessert
- Method: Baking
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Delicious strawberry mascarpone tartlets made with gluten-free puff pastry and fresh strawberries.
Ingredients
- 1 package Gluten Free Puff Pastry, thawed
- 1 package Fresh Strawberries, ripe and vibrant red
- 8 oz. Mascarpone cheese, high quality
- 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- ¼ cup Powdered Sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract, pure
- 2 Tbsp. Lemon Juice, fresh
- Zest from 2 lemons
- 2 Tbsp. Gluten Free Flour Blend (optional, for dusting)
- 2 Tbsp. Honey, adjust to taste
- Cooking Spray
Instructions
- Step 1: Remove gluten-free puff pastry from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes. This prevents tough texture during baking by allowing easier handling of the dough.
- Step 2: Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). A fully preheated oven ensures the puff pastry rises and bakes evenly to achieve a crisp, flaky texture.
- Step 3: Lightly dust your work surface with 1 to 2 tablespoons of gluten-free flour blend to prevent sticking. Roll the thawed puff pastry dough to your desired thickness, avoiding rolling too thin to maintain a sturdy base for the filling.
- Step 4: Using a round cutter, cut circles from the dough. Keeping the rounds uniform in size promotes even baking and consistency in the tartlets.
- Step 5: Arrange the pastry rounds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. If edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil at 10 minutes to prevent burning. For firmer bases to avoid sogginess, bake an additional 5 minutes. Remove from oven and allow cooling.
- Step 6: In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form. This adds volume and creates an airy texture that lightens the mascarpone filling.
- Step 7: In another bowl, combine mascarpone cheese, sifted powdered sugar, pure vanilla extract, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Mix until smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add 1 tablespoon of heavy whipping cream to achieve a spreadable consistency.
- Step 8: Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture. Use careful folding motions to retain air and keep the filling light and airy.
- Step 9: Spoon the mascarpone mixture generously into the baked pastry shells, filling to the edges without overfilling to avoid breakage.
- Step 10: Slice fresh strawberries and arrange them decoratively on top of the mascarpone filling for color and sweetness.
- Step 11: Drizzle honey over each tartlet just before serving to add natural sweetness and a glossy finish. Adjust the honey amount according to taste preference.
Notes
- Store tartlets in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day to maintain a crisp crust and fresh filling.
- Place tartlets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Ensure they are sealed to prevent moisture from softening the puff pastry base.
- Wrap tartlets individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- Dust the surface lightly with 1-2 tablespoons gluten-free flour before rolling out puff pastry to prevent sticking and ease handling.
- Cover pastry edges with foil if they begin to brown prematurely during baking to avoid burning.
- If mascarpone mixture becomes too thick, add 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream to soften for easier spreading.
- For a sturdier, less soggy base, bake pastry shells 5 minutes longer before filling.
- Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice to mascarpone filling if strawberries are very sweet to balance flavors with a hint of tartness.
- Preferably serve tartlets fresh without reheating. If needed, warm gently in a low oven (about 300°F/150°C) for a few minutes to slightly soften pastry, but avoid overheating to preserve texture.
- Serve with fresh fruit salad or coconut whipped cream for added sweetness.
- Pair tartlets with herbal tea or sparkling water for a refreshing complement.
- Add to brunch spreads or dessert tables alongside lemon bars or mini cheesecakes.
- Top with fresh mint leaves or extra lemon zest for brightness.
- Drizzle additional honey or berry coulis on top for enhanced flavor variety.
- Substitute raspberries or mixed berries for strawberries according to preference or seasonality.
- Use regular all-butter puff pastry if gluten-free is not required, ensuring pastry is fully thawed before use for even baking.
- Choose ripe, fragrant, and firm strawberries for optimal flavor and texture. Avoid berries that are overly soft or underripe.
- Select high-quality mascarpone cheese to avoid graininess and ensure smoothness in the filling.
- Use all-butter gluten-free puff pastry for better flavor and flakiness. Confirm pastry is fully thawed before rolling to prevent toughness.
- Sift powdered sugar before mixing with mascarpone to prevent clumps and maintain a smooth filling.
- Opt for pure vanilla extract over imitation for an enhanced flavor profile.
Nutrition
- Calories: Not provided
- Sugar: Not provided
- Sodium: Not provided
- Fat: Not provided
- Saturated Fat: Not provided
- Unsaturated Fat: Not provided
- Trans Fat: Not provided
- Carbohydrates: Not provided
- Fiber: Not provided
- Protein: Not provided
- Cholesterol: Not provided
Ingredient Notes
- Strawberries: Go for ripe, vibrant red strawberries. They should be fragrant and firm to the touch for the best flavor and texture in your tartlets.
- Mascarpone cheese: Use high-quality mascarpone for a creamy, rich filling. A good brand avoids graininess and gives a smooth texture that enhances the dessert.
- Puff pastry: Look for all-butter puff pastry, as it adds a nice buttery flavor. Make sure it’s fully thawed before using, this ensures even baking and a flaky crust.
- Confectioners’ sugar: This sweetens the mascarpone filling without adding graininess. Sifting it before mixing prevents clumps and ensures a smooth texture.
- Vanilla extract: Opt for pure vanilla extract rather than imitation. It enhances the overall flavor profile, making your tartlets taste more gourmet.
- Strawberries: Go for ripe, vibrant red strawberries. They should be fragrant and firm to the touch for the best flavor and texture in your tartlets.
- Mascarpone cheese: Use high-quality mascarpone for a creamy, rich filling. A good brand avoids graininess and gives a smooth texture that enhances the dessert.
- Puff pastry: Look for all-butter puff pastry, as it adds a nice buttery flavor. Make sure it’s fully thawed before using, this ensures even baking and a flaky crust.
- Confectioners’ sugar: This sweetens the mascarpone filling without adding graininess. Sifting it before mixing prevents clumps and ensures a smooth texture.
- Vanilla extract: Opt for pure vanilla extract rather than imitation. It enhances the overall flavor profile, making your tartlets taste more gourmet.
Recipe Tips
- If your puff pastry sticks, sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons gluten-free flour on the work surface before rolling it out.
- When the pastry edges start browning too quickly, cover them with foil 10 minutes into baking to prevent burning.
- If the mascarpone mixture is too thick, add 1 tablespoon of heavy whipping cream to achieve a smoother consistency before filling the tartlets.
- For a soggy base, bake the pastry shells for 5 minutes longer to create a firmer structure before adding the filling.
- If strawberries are overly sweet, add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to the filling for a refreshing tartness that balances their flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve strawberry mascarpone tartlets with a fresh fruit salad or coconut whipped cream for added sweetness. Pair them alongside a cup of herbal tea or sparkling water for a refreshing touch.
Add to brunch spreads or dessert tables, serving them with other treats like lemon bars or mini cheesecakes. Use them in a dessert buffet or as brunch offerings with a selection of pastries.
Top with a drizzle of honey or a berry coulis for extra flavor. Fresh mint or lemon zest can also brighten each tartlet before serving.
Recipe variations
- You can use either gluten free puff pastry or regular puff pastry as the tartlet base, depending on your dietary needs and availability of ingredients.
- Add 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the mascarpone cream to highlight natural flavors and add subtle sweetness to your tartlets.
- Either fresh strawberries or mixed berries can fill these tartlets; fresh fruit offers briskness while frozen works well after thawing for easy prep.
- If making more than 25 tartlets, double the ingredients and bake in batches, adjusting oven time slightly to keep the pastry crisp and flaky throughout.
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How to Store?
To keep your strawberry mascarpone tartlets fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Place tartlets in an airtight container. Store at room temperature up to 1 day to maintain crust texture and filling freshness.
Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 days. Keep sealed to avoid moisture softening the pastry base.
Freezing: Wrap tartlets individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Strawberry Shortcake
- Strawberry Shortcake Cake Roll
- Strawberry Blondies
- Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake
If you enjoyed this strawberry mascarpone tartlets or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I appreciate taking time to read about this recipe, thank you!
