Imagine a delicate pastry shell filled with a burst of tart, tangy cherries and a hint of sweet lime. These Cherry Lime Puff Pastry Tarts are the epitome of summer dessert perfection.
They’re the perfect treat for any occasion, whether it’s a backyard barbecue, a casual get-together, or simply a sweet indulgence on a warm summer evening. Each bite is a delightful explosion of flavors and textures, making them a crowd-pleaser that will leave your guests wanting more.
Recipe Highlights
Ingredients for Cherry Lime Puff Pastry Tarts
- cream cheese
- granulated sugar
- heavy cream
- key lime juice
- key limes zest
- pitted cherries
- cornstarch
- lemon juice
- puff pastry dough
- cherries for garnish
- lime garnish
Get the full ingredient list and full instructions in the printable recipe card below.
Tips & Tricks for Making These Puff Pastry Tarts
- Keep it Cold: Puff pastry relies on cold butter to create those beautiful, flaky layers. Keep your pastry chilled in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. If it starts to get soft, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes.
- Don’t Overwork It: When rolling out the dough, be gentle! Too much handling can make the pastry tough.
Baking Like a Pro:
- Egg Wash for Golden Shine: Brush your tarts with an egg wash (beaten egg with a little water) before baking for a beautiful golden-brown finish.
- Cool Completely: Let your tarts cool completely before adding the cheesecake filling.
Extra Tips for Cherry Lime Tarts:
- Get Creative with Toppings: Once your tarts are baked and cooled, you can add a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or a sprig of mint for a beautiful finishing touch.
- Add a drizzle: A drizzle of honey at the end, will help with sweetness and flavor, if desired.
With these tips and tricks, your Cherry Lime Puff Pastry Tarts will be the star of any gathering!
There are dozens of variations and flavor combinations that would make these tarts your own. Don’t be shy and try what you like best.
- Use different types of fresh fruit.
- Add cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar, brie or feta.
- Try your hand at a savory puff pastry tart with vegetables, shallots, tomatoes, spinach, ham, or fresh thyme.
Cherry Lime Puff Pastry Tarts are a big hit at parties. They go fast because of their cute bite size nature and their flavorful goodness!
They are very easy to make, but do take some time, so plan ahead. You can make them up the day before however and chill overnight. Serve them the next day.
Puff pastry and pie crust aren’t the same, even though they both use flour and butter.
Think of it this way: puff pastry is like a stack of thin dough with butter between each layer. When it bakes, the butter melts and creates steam, making the pastry puff up really high with lots of flaky layers.
Pie crust is simpler. It’s usually just one layer of dough with less butter. It bakes up into a solid crust that holds the pie filling.
So, puff pastry gets much bigger and airier in the oven than a regular pie crust.
Yes, you can reheat puff pastry tarts, and the best way to do so is by placing them in a preheated oven at a moderate temperature to maintain their crispness; avoid using the microwave as it can make the pastry soggy.
Yes, you can freeze puff pastry tarts, both before baking them (partially baked) or after they are fully baked and cooled; just make sure to wrap them properly to prevent freezer burn and they can be stored for several months in the freezer.
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Cherry Lime Pastry Tarts Printable Recipe
Cherry Lime Puff Pastry Tart
Suggested Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (226.8 g) cream cheese room temperature
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (177.44 ml) heavy cream
- ¼ cup (59.15 ml) key lime juice
- 2 tablespoons (12 g) key limes zest
- 1 cup (138 g) cherries pitted
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (59.15 ml) water
- ½ Tablespoon (4 g) cornstarch
- ½ Tablespoon (7.39 ml) lemon juice
- 1 sheet (245 g) puff pastry dough
- 12 (96 g) cherries for garnish
- ¼ slices (1.75 g) lime garnish
Instructions
- Unroll the puff pastry sheet and slice into 1 dozen squares on parchment paper. Use a rolling pin to thin the dough out a tiny bit. Tuck a square into each cavity of a mini muffin tin. Bake as directed on package until golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool.1 sheet puff pastry dough
- Make the Cherry Sauce. In a medium saucepan, bring the cherries, 1/4 cup sugar and water to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Stir the lemon juice and cornstarch together in a small bowl until smooth. Whisk it into the cherry mixture. Return the whole thing to a boil, stirring constantly. Keep cooking until the liquid has thickened. Should take about 1 minute.1 cup cherries, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 Tablespoon cornstarch, 1/2 Tablespoon lemon juice, 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- Remove from heat. Taste the sauce carefully and add a bit more sugar if needed and stir well. Set the sauce aside to cool to room temp.
- Make the Key Lime Cheesecake Mixture. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar on medium-high until creamy and completely combined. Pour in the heavy cream, lime juice and lime zest. Beat until completely combined and thick. Set aside.8 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup key lime juice, 2 tablespoons key limes zest
- Once everything is cooled to room temp, remove the puff pastry shells from the muffin tin and place on a platter. Using a piping tool or a baggie with a tip cut off, pipe the lime cheesecake mixture into each puff pastry cup. Top with Cherry Sauce.
- Top each puff pastry with a beautiful, fresh cherry. Add a small slice of lime as well.12 cherries, 1/4 slices lime
- Place in the refrigerator to chill until firm, at least 4 hours. I usually do overnight but 4 hours is good. Serve chilled.
Nutrition
I always look forward to cherry season, and lime is a year-round favorite of ours. I would be thrilled with either the SLT or W-S gift card and could make really good use of it right now! Thanks for the opportunity.
You’re certainly welcome! I totally understand the cherry and lime season! Can’t get enough!
These little bites are perfect! I love the cherry on top!