Strawberry Cream Tartlets Recipe

Few desserts capture the spirit of summer quite like Strawberry Cream Tartlets. With crisp, buttery tart shells cradling a dreamy cream filling and crowned with a tangle of fresh, ruby strawberries, these little treats are a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds. They’re beautifully simple but deliver showstopping results, making them the kind of dessert you’ll want to bring out at any occasion that calls for a sweet, elegant touch.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

For Strawberry Cream Tartlets, it’s all about fresh, quality ingredients coming together in perfect harmony. Each item on this list pulls its own weight—balancing flavor, texture, and rich color for irresistibly charming tartlets.

• Ready-made tart shells: These save loads of time and guarantee crisp results (go homemade if you love a little extra baking project!).
• Heavy cream (1 cup, whipped): Whipping cream adds luscious lightness to the filling, making each bite pillowy soft.
• Cream cheese (½ cup, softened): Provides richness and a gentle tang that balances the sweetness and brings depth to the cream.
• Powdered sugar (¼ cup): Dissolves effortlessly into the filling, giving smooth sweetness without any grittiness.
• Vanilla extract (1 tsp): A little goes a long way, adding mellow warmth and enhancing the strawberry notes.
• Fresh strawberries (1 ½ cups, halved or sliced): Vibrant, juicy, and irresistibly sweet, they’re the literal cherry on top of each tartlet.
• Optional: Warm jam: Gives your berries a beautiful bakery-style gloss that looks as delightful as it tastes.
• Optional: Melted white chocolate: A drizzle for extra decadence, if you’re feeling a little indulgent!

How to Make Strawberry Cream Tartlets

Step 1: Prepare the Cream Filling

Start by beating the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together in a mixing bowl. You’ll want to mix until it’s completely smooth, with no lumps remaining—this makes your filling silky and ensures every bite has an even sweetness. A handheld mixer is handy here, but a sturdy whisk and a little elbow grease will do the job too!

Step 2: Fold in the Whipped Cream and Vanilla

Now, gently fold the whipped heavy cream and vanilla extract into your sweetened cream cheese mixture. Folding instead of stirring keeps the blend light and fluffy. The result should be cloud-like and spreadable, ready to pipe or spoon into your waiting tart shells.

Step 3: Fill the Tart Shells

Using either a spoon or a piping bag, fill each tart shell generously with the cream filling. Don’t stress about perfection—the filling will settle a bit as you top it, and the strawberries cover any little swoops or swirls. The shells should be filled enough that every bite is creamy, but not so much that they overflow.

Step 4: Add the Strawberries

Time for the showstopper! Arrange your halved or sliced fresh strawberries over the cream. There’s no right or wrong here—fan them out, overlap for a flower effect, or simply scatter them for a rustic look. The juicy berries bring irresistible color and freshness to every tartlet.

Step 5: Chill and Make It Glossy (Optional)

Pop your Strawberry Cream Tartlets in the fridge for at least 1 hour to chill. This helps the flavors meld and makes the tartlets easy to eat. If you’re feeling fancy, brush the strawberries with a little warmed jam for a glossy bakery finish, or add a drizzle of melted white chocolate just before serving.

How to Serve Strawberry Cream Tartlets

Garnishes

For a final flourish, try garnishing your tartlets with tiny mint leaves, lemon zest, or that gleaming glaze of warmed jam. These small touches elevate your Strawberry Cream Tartlets from homemade to patisserie-chic in seconds.

Side Dishes

Strawberry Cream Tartlets pair beautifully with a light fruit salad, crisp Prosecco, or even delicate tea sandwiches for a balanced brunch or dessert spread. Their freshness and creamy filling complement other spring and summer flavors without overpowering them.

Creative Ways to Present

Display the tartlets on a footed cake stand for effortless elegance, or nestle them in cupcake wrappers for easy serving at picnics and parties. Feeling playful? Serve them “deconstructed” in jars for a modern, portable twist on this classic treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftover Strawberry Cream Tartlets, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to 2 days—the tart shells may soften a bit but will still taste amazing.

Freezing

While the cream filling handles freezing relatively well, the fresh strawberries can become watery after thawing. If you need to prep ahead, freeze filled tart shells without the berries, then add freshly sliced strawberries just before serving.

Reheating

These tartlets don’t require reheating; they’re meant to be enjoyed straight from the fridge. If serving after refrigeration, let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to soften the texture and enhance the flavors.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries for Strawberry Cream Tartlets?

Fresh strawberries really are the secret to juicy, picture-perfect tartlets, but if you’re in a pinch, thawed frozen berries can work. Be sure to drain extra liquid well, as frozen fruit tends to be much softer and wetter than fresh.

Can I make the shells from scratch?

Absolutely! Homemade tart shells have unbeatable flavor and can be flavored with a hint of lemon zest or almond if you want to experiment. Just be sure they are fully cooled before filling.

Do Strawberry Cream Tartlets hold up outdoors for picnics?

They’ll do well for a few hours in a cool picnic basket, but avoid direct sunshine as the cream filling can soften quickly. Chill until the last moment and transport in a well-insulated cooler for best results.

Is there a non-dairy alternative for the cream filling?

You can swap both the heavy cream and cream cheese for coconut whipped cream and a dairy-free cream cheese alternative. Just taste and adjust the sweetness, as some non-dairy varieties are tangier than traditional options.

How far in advance can I assemble Strawberry Cream Tartlets?

It’s best to assemble them no more than 24 hours in advance to keep the tart shells crisp and the strawberries vibrant. You can prep the cream filling ahead, refrigerate, and fill just before serving for freshest results.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ll give these Strawberry Cream Tartlets a try—there’s nothing like seeing a platter of them disappear faster than they arrived! Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just adding a little joy to an ordinary day, these tartlets are always a sweet, crowd-pleasing choice.