Mignon Tartlets

Here is a recipe for delicious mignon tartlets, ideal for a buffet or an aperitif. Tartlets are small pies that can be filled in many different ways, both sweet and savory. Here I propose a simple version that can be adapted to your taste.

Ingredients

• 250 g ready-made or homemade shortcrust pastry
• 100 g pastry cream or another type of sweet filling of your choice
• Fresh fruit (strawberries, kiwi, blackberries, raspberries, etc.) for decoration
• Apricot jam (optional, to glaze the fruit)

Preparation

1. If you opt for homemade shortcrust pastry, prepare it in advance following your favorite recipe and let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
3. Roll out the shortcrust pastry on a lightly floured surface until it reaches a thickness of about 3-4 mm.
4. Use a round cutter or a glass to cut out circles from the pastry and gently place them in a mignon tartlet mold.
5. Cover the pastry with a piece of parchment paper and fill with dried beans or baking weights to prevent it from puffing up during baking.
6. Bake the empty tartlets for about 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Remove the weights and parchment paper and let the tartlets cool.
8. Once cooled, fill each tartlet with a spoonful of pastry cream.
9. Decorate with fresh fruit cut to your liking.
10. If desired, heat some apricot jam with a drop of water and brush the fruit to make it shine.

Mignon tartlets can be adapted with different types of fillings: chocolate ganache, lemon curd, or a light mousse, and decorated with nuts, chocolate shavings, or small cookies to add crunch and flavor.

Fun Fact

Tartlets can be a blank canvas for creativity. In Italy, in particular, they are commonly found in sweet buffets for holidays and are often a way to showcase seasonal fruit in all its splendor, playing with colors and flavors.