Did you know February is National Cherry Month? True story! And since red is my favorite color and cherry pie is my absolute favorite dessert, it is only natural that I would have to make something to celebrate! How do mini cherry tarts with cream cheese crust sounds? Divine, right?! The flaky, buttery crust is the perfect texture thanks to the addition of cream cheese and these mini tarts get two thumbs up for easy thanks to pre-made cherry pie filling!
Mini Cherry Pie Tarts with Cream Cheese Pie Crust
cream cheese crust
Yield: 36 – 48 mini tarts
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
6 oz. cream cheese, softened (I used light)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
Cream the butter, cream cheese and salt together. Mix in the flour. Allow crust dough to chill for at least 30 minutes.
Roll about a 1 inch ball of dough, place in the well of a mini muffin/cupcake pan and use a tart press (mine is from Pampered Chef) to press in the center of the dough ball to make the tart shell. Press a little harder than you think but don’t create a hole in the bottom of the crust.
Add about one teaspoon of cherry pie filling to each tart – I could fit about two cherries with filling in each tart. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes. The crust should be set and just barely light brown – any darker and the gorgeous crust will be dry. Allow the tarts to cool in the pan before removing. I plopped them in pretty little mini cupcake papers before serving.
Just take a look at the flaky crust and glossy red filling … these are the perfect little two-bite tart bite to round out any meal! And they aren’t too bad with coffee in the morning … not that I would know from experience 😉
Heather SettingforFour
I love mini desserts! But I never just have one!!! These look so delish – love cherry!
Rachel {BubblyNatureCreations.com}
Yummy! At first I thought they were cheesecakes, but then I realized it was a cream cheese crust! SO yummy! pinning these now!!!
Jessica
Pinned this. These would make wonderful desserts for a party. I’m not a big cherry fan but I’m sure they would be just as good with blueberry.
Tiffany | offbeat + inspired
These look so delicious!!!
Vanessa
That cream cheese crust looks wonderfully easy and delicious. Another one of your recipes I’m adding to my to do list!
Four Marrs and One Venus
Oh…. wow- like hello cherry WOWzers!
Laura Beth Gunter
Mouth watering is all I have to say :o)
Brenda
Looks delicious!! Pinned 🙂 Thanks for another incredibly yummy recipe! 🙂
Brenda
ChattingOverChocolate.blogspot.com
Marie bloominghomestead
I love anything mini, and these are just too cute and look so yummy. I would love for you to come share this at my link party this week.
http://www.bloominghomestead.com/2013/02/crafty-tuesday-link-party-21913.html
-Marie
Mary Beth
These look so tasty! I found you through The Inspiration Board at Carolyn’s Homework and would like to invite you to link up to my party, Project Inspire{d} ~ I hope to see you there!
http://cupcakesandcrinoline.com/2013/02/project-inspired-week-2/
Mary Beth
Lisa
These look so wonderful! I would have to use gluten free flour, but I am sure it would still be great. Hope you can stop by the enchanted oven to say hi!
xo,
Lisa
Lauren
These look so beautiful! At first glance, they look like the cherry-topped mini cheesecakes my grandmother used to make. That brought back fantastic memories of baking with my Nana.
I’d be thrilled if you’d link up at this week’s Off the Hook!
AngieN24
Looks yummy! I bet they’d be good with drizzled of melted chocolate over them too! I’ll have to try these, because Cherry is my favorite too!
Thanks for the recipe!
A to Zebra Celebrations
ohhh my delicious!!! i LOVE CHERRIES Looks incredible. I hope you stop by to share on my party every week- http://atozebracelebrations.com/2013/02/link-party-8.html
Nancy
Erika Monroe-Williams "The Hopeless Housewife"
What gorgeous little pies! I would love for you to link them up with this weeks link party at The Hopeless Housewife!
Jocie@TheBetterHalf
yum and it looks so much easier than i would have thought. 🙂
Mighty Morgan
I love the look of these and they seems like such a great little treat!!!
Shauna {The Best Blog Recipes}
Just saw your link over at Somewhat Simple’s link party and wanted to come over and check out your recipe! It looks so yummy! And I love the idea of pressing them into the tins with a tart press. Totally have to go and pick one of those up!
I’d love for you to link up a few recipes at my weekend link party that is going on right now @The Weekend re-Treat!
Hope to see you there!
Leslie
How cute these mini pies are!!! I also love baking with cherries in February in honor of Washington’s birthday! 🙂 yummy
Blessings,
Leslie
Cindy
These look so good! Your photo is beautiful–love the sprinkles. I couldn’t love without my ‘tart tamper’, it is a good thing!
Snap
I love cherry anything. These look delicious. YUM!
Danielle
Keri, I want to eat one now (and it is 10pm at night)! Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays!
nicolette {momnivores dilemma}
Keri-
I’m adapting these to be GF. Your photos are lovely…and making me want dessert right now!
Thanks for sharing at Creative Juice. I’m featuring you tonight and sharing at Pinterest…
My best,
Nic
Theresa
Eye & tummy candy! Yum. Thanks for sharing & linking up @ DearCreatives.com Hope your having a great week!
Paula
Oh my goodness! These look so delicious! We’d love for you to link this up at our party! http://www.housewivesofriverton.com/2013/02/riverton-housewives-round-up-54.html
Jennifer Hughes
This looks absolutely yummy! Please share this at Weekend Kitchen Creations, www.weekendkitchencreations.blogspot.com. Join us, share your delicious creation and get other scrumptious ideas.
Bevin
I need a tart press! These look so sweet.
Bevin @ WhoNeedsaCape.com
Marianne
Can you make these ahead of time and freeze them?