These Mini Peach and Cream Cheese Tarts are a perfect balance of sweet and creamy, with a buttery, flaky crust, a smooth cream cheese filling, and fresh peach slices that add a burst of flavor. The honey drizzle with a hint of cinnamon and ginger ties everything together in a delightful way. These tarts are ideal for serving at summer gatherings, tea parties, or even as a sweet snack. The combination of the crisp tart dough, the rich cream cheese filling, and the juicy peaches will surely impress your guests and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Refreshing and Fruity

The fresh peach slices bring a refreshing fruity note that pairs beautifully with the creamy filling, making these tarts the perfect treat for warm weather.

2. Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tangy

The cream cheese filling offers a slight tanginess that balances out the sweetness of the peaches and honey drizzle, making each bite a flavor-packed experience.

3. Flaky, Buttery Crust

The homemade tart dough is flaky and buttery, providing the perfect base for the peach and cream cheese filling. It adds texture and richness without overpowering the flavors.

4. Versatile for Any Occasion

These mini tarts are versatile enough to be served at a variety of occasions, from summer picnics to holiday desserts or as a delightful treat after dinner.

5. Easy to Customize

While the recipe calls for fresh peaches, you can easily swap them for other fruits like berries, nectarines, or even a mix of fruits to match the season or your preference.

Ingredients

Tart Dough

All-purpose flour
Granulated sugar
Salt
Unsalted butter (cold, cut into cubes or grated)
Ice water
White distilled vinegar
Heavy cream (for brushing dough)
Cinnamon sugar (for sprinkling dough)

Peach Tart Filling

Fresh peach (half cut into slices)
Cream cheese (room temperature)

Honey Drizzle

Honey
Lemon juice
Ground cinnamon
Ground ginger

Variations

Berry Tarts: Instead of peaches, use fresh raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries for a vibrant twist.
Citrus Zest: Add a little lemon or orange zest to the cream cheese filling to enhance the tartness and brightness of the fruit.
Almond Filling: Add almond extract or a small amount of almond paste to the cream cheese filling for a nutty flavor that pairs wonderfully with the peaches.
Nectarine Tarts: Swap peaches for nectarines for a slightly firmer texture and more floral flavor in your tarts.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Make the Tart Dough

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter and, using your fingers or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and mix until the dough just begins to come together. Add vinegar and mix again. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Step 2: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a mini muffin tin or tart pans.

Step 3: Roll Out the Dough

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a round cutter or the top of a glass to cut out circles of dough slightly larger than the cups of your mini muffin tin. Press each dough circle into the tin, gently pressing the edges to form small tart shells.

Step 4: Blind Bake the Tart Shells

Brush the dough lightly with heavy cream and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Place the tart shells in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.

Step 5: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

While the tart shells are cooling, soften the cream cheese to room temperature. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy. If needed, you can add a small amount of powdered sugar to sweeten it slightly. Spoon or pipe the cream cheese filling into the cooled tart shells.

Step 6: Add the Peach Slices

Place a few slices of fresh peach on top of the cream cheese filling in each tart. Arrange them in a decorative pattern for a beautiful presentation.

Step 7: Make the Honey Drizzle

In a small bowl, mix together the honey, lemon juice, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger. Drizzle the honey mixture over the peach slices to add sweetness and a touch of spice.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the mini peach and cream cheese tarts immediately or refrigerate them for up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together.

Tips for Making the Recipe

Chill the Dough: Make sure to refrigerate the dough before rolling it out to ensure the tarts hold their shape during baking and develop a flaky texture.
Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: This ensures a smoother filling that is easy to spread or pipe into the tart shells.
Customize the Filling: You can sweeten the cream cheese with a little powdered sugar or vanilla extract to suit your taste.
Don’t Overfill the Tart Shells: A little cream cheese filling goes a long way. Make sure not to overfill the shells, as they can overflow during baking.

How to Serve

These mini tarts are perfect as a standalone dessert or served alongside a refreshing drink like iced tea or sparkling water. They can also be paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover tarts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The tarts are best enjoyed within the first 24 hours for optimal freshness.

Freezing

You can freeze the tart shells before filling them. Simply bake the shells, cool them, and then store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to a month. When ready to use, thaw and fill them with the cream cheese filling and peaches before serving.

Reheating

If you have leftover tarts, reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes to warm them through before serving.

FAQs

1. Can I use canned peaches instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use canned peaches, but fresh peaches will give you a better texture and flavor. Be sure to drain the canned peaches well to avoid excess liquid.

2. Can I use store-bought tart dough?

Yes, you can use pre-made tart dough if you’re short on time. Just make sure to adjust the baking time according to the instructions on the package.

3. Can I add other fruits to the tarts?

Absolutely! Try adding raspberries, strawberries, or nectarines to mix things up, or use a combination of fruits for a colorful and flavorful tart.

4. How can I make the cream cheese filling sweeter?

To sweeten the cream cheese filling, you can mix in some powdered sugar, vanilla extract, or a little bit of honey.

5. Can I use a different sweetener instead of honey?

Yes, you can substitute maple syrup or agave nectar for honey in the drizzle. Just keep in mind that the flavor may slightly change.

6. How do I prevent the tart dough from getting soggy?

Make sure to blind bake the tart shells until golden and crisp, and avoid overfilling them with the cream cheese filling to prevent sogginess.

7. Can I make these tarts ahead of time?

You can make the tart shells ahead of time and refrigerate them. Add the cream cheese filling and peach slices just before serving to maintain freshness.

8. Can I use a different type of cheese for the filling?

While cream cheese is ideal for this recipe, mascarpone or ricotta cheese could also be used for a slightly different texture and flavor.

9. Can I make a full-size tart instead of mini tarts?

Yes, you can make a full-size tart instead of mini ones. Just adjust the baking time and use a larger tart pan.

10. How do I prevent the dough from shrinking while baking?

Make sure the dough is well-chilled before baking, and avoid overworking it when pressing it into the tart pans.

Conclusion

Mini Peach and Cream Cheese Tarts are the perfect combination of sweet, creamy, and fruity flavors with a delightful texture that everyone will love. With a buttery, flaky crust, a rich cream cheese filling, and the bright burst of fresh peaches, these tarts are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re serving them at a special event or as a simple treat for yourself, these tarts are sure to impress. Enjoy the flavors of summer in every bite!